معرفی
Erik Hom is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Mississippi, affiliated with the Department of Biology within the College of Liberal Arts. He leads the Darwin's Daemon research lab, focusing on microbial social dynamics, symbiosis, and ecological interactions. His work spans synthetic ecology, microbial mutualisms, and applications in algal biotechnology and environmental sustainability. Hom actively engages in teaching, directing the ARISE@UM program for underrepresented STEM students, and promoting experiential learning in Mississippi communities.
Education:
- B.A. in Chemistry (High Honors) with minors in Biology and Physics from Swarthmore College
- Ph.D. in Biophysics from UC San Francisco (John Sedat lab)
- Postdoctoral research at Harvard University (Andrew Murray lab)
Research interests include fungal-algal associations, microbial ecology in marine systems, and leveraging machine learning for biological discovery. His lab emphasizes collaborative, team-based science with a focus on fun, ethical rigor, and impactful science. Current projects explore microbial community dynamics in deserts, fermented foods, and symbiotic relationships in the Anthropocene era.
Teaching responsibilities span courses like Research Experience (BISC 200), Chemical Ecology (BISC 540), and Special Topics in Biology (BISC 479/579/677). He prioritizes mentorship of underrepresented groups and K-12 outreach through the ARISE program, which provides research immersion opportunities for high school and community college students.
Lab operations emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges, combining fieldwork, genomic analysis, and computational modeling. Future directions include expanding studies on waste valorization and participatory systems analysis in ecological restoration projects.
