Jena Johnson

Jena Johnson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan, part of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). She holds a Ph.D. in Geobiology from the California Institute of Technology (2015). Her research focuses on understanding the interplay between geology, chemistry, and biology, particularly how microbial activity shaped Earth’s early environments. Central themes include reconstructing the record of early life through geochemical analysis of Precambrian rocks and modern microbial experiments, with emphasis on iron and manganese cycles.

Her work employs advanced techniques like microscale and nanoscale geochemistry to study ancient sedimentary rocks and modern mineralizing microbes. Notable contributions include proposing iron as life’s original transition metal, challenging assumptions about early ocean chemistry. She leads the Microbe-Mineral Lab, committed to DEI initiatives in academia, emphasizing anti-racist practices and inclusive science.

Recent publications highlight diagenetic processes in banded iron formations, dissolved silica’s role in iron redox dynamics, and metal availability in ancient seas. Her lab integrates fieldwork, experimental simulations, and theoretical modeling to address fundamental questions in Geobiology. Collaborations span institutions like Caltech and UCLA, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to Earth’s history.