Jennifer Macalady

Jennifer Macalady is a Professor of Geosciences and Director of the Ecology Institute at Penn State University's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. She is affiliated with the Department of Geosciences and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, where she leads the Macalady Group focused on environmental microbiology and biogeochemistry.

Dr. Macalady earned her Ph.D. in Soil Science from UC Davis in 2000, following undergraduate studies in Geology and Russian language at Carleton College in 1991. She joined Penn State as a faculty advisor in 2004, after serving as a postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley. Her academic journey reflects a deep interdisciplinary approach, spanning geology, microbiology, and environmental science.

Dr. Macalady's research centers on geomicrobiology, biogeochemistry, and astrobiology, with particular focus on microbial interactions in extreme environments. Her work explores sulfur cycling in both subsurface and sunlit environments that model early Earth conditions and potentially extraterrestrial habitats. She investigates the microbiology of acid mine drainage pollution related to coal extraction and studies how microorganisms degrade hydrocarbons ranging from methane to coal. A core value in her laboratory is that diversity, equity, and inclusion enable excellence and creativity in research.

Analysis of Dr. Macalady's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on microbial processes in extreme environments, particularly sulfur cycling, acid mine drainage systems, cave ecosystems, and early Earth analogs. Her research employs emerging techniques in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and geochemistry to examine microbial diversity and activity through the lens of microbial ecology. The work spans field studies in locations like the Frasassi Caves in Italy to laboratory experiments modeling early Earth conditions, demonstrating both theoretical and applied significance for understanding Earth's history and addressing contemporary environmental challenges.

Dr. Macalady serves as a faculty advisor in multiple Penn State graduate programs including Geosciences, Ecology (ICDP), Biogeochemistry (Dual Title), and Astrobiology (Dual Title). She has mentored numerous graduate students including Dani Buchheister (Ph.D. student, Fall 2022), Shavonne Morin (Ph.D. student, Fall 2021), Roger Ort (Ph.D. student, Fall 2021), and undergraduate researcher Emma Enos. Her lab maintains active research funding for projects related to microbial ecology in extreme environments.

The Macalady Lab is part of Penn State's top-ranked Department of Geosciences and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. The lab maintains active research in multiple areas including microbial communities in sulfuric acid caves, biogeochemical cycling in acid mine drainage systems, and early Earth analog environments. The group collaborates extensively with researchers both within Penn State and internationally, as evidenced by publications with colleagues from institutions worldwide. Dr. Macalady also serves on the Diversity Council at Penn State, reflecting her commitment to inclusive scientific practices.