Jo Handelsman

Jo Handelsman is a Professor in the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, affiliated with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. She leads the Handelsman Lab, which is home to the Tiny Earth Chemistry Hub, focusing on microbial community dynamics and antibiotic discovery from soil bacteria.

Research Interests: Her work spans microbial ecology, microbiome science, metagenomics, antibiotic resistance, and chemical signaling in multispecies communities. Using interdisciplinary approaches, her lab studies microbial interactions in soil, plant roots (rhizosphere), and the human gut, with a focus on community robustness, invasion resistance, and emergent properties. A key innovation is the THOR (The Hitchhikers of the Rhizosphere) model system for studying community dynamics.

Publication Trends: Recent publications highlight her focus on microbial communication, biofilm formation, secondary metabolism modulation by community composition, and transport mechanisms in multispecies systems. These works appear in high-impact journals such as PNAS and mBio, reflecting a strong emphasis on experimental models and ecological principles in microbiome research.

• Scientific Awards:
• Elected to the National Academy of Sciences (2023)

Advising and Grants: While specific students are not listed, Dr. Handelsman leads a research-intensive lab and national initiatives like Tiny Earth, indicating significant mentorship and grant-funded research activity. Her lab’s engagement in public outreach and interdisciplinary collaboration underscores a commitment to training and innovation.

Labs and Teams: The Handelsman Lab at UW-Madison is dedicated to understanding microbiomes through genetic, biochemical, and ecological lenses. It hosts the Tiny Earth Chemistry Hub, a research center advancing antibiotic discovery through student participation and chemical screening of soil microbes. The lab emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion through its AJEDI (Antiracism, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) framework, fostering a supportive and innovative research environment.