Laura Villanueva

Prof. Laura Villanueva is a full Professor of Molecular Microbiology at Utrecht University (Faculty of Science, Department of Biology) and a senior research scientist at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). Her work is at the intersection of geomicrobiology, marine microbiology, microbial ecology & evolution, and organic geochemistry, with a strong focus on microbial lipids as biomarkers for past and present environmental conditions.

Research Focus:

• Geomicrobiology & Marine Microbiology – diversity, metabolism and evolution of marine microbes
• Organic Geochemistry – biological sources and predictive power of lipid biomarkers
• Microbial Ecology & Evolution – carbon, nitrogen and sulfur cycling in marine systems
• Paleoclimatology & Paleobiology – reconstructing ancient environments using molecular fossils

Research Themes & Funding:

• Life Sciences (LS)
• Pathways to Sustainability (PtS)
• Running project: “Harmful Algal Blooms from the present to the past” (2021-2025, co-funded NIOZ-UU)

Scientific Service & Editorial Roles:

• Associate Editor, Frontiers in Microbiology
• Editorial Board Member, Environmental Microbiology
• Board Member, Dutch Society for Microbiology (KNVM)

Teaching:

• Lecturer, GEO4-1420 Organic Geochemistry
• Lecturer, GEO4-1440 Microbes and Biogeochemistry
• Lecturer, GEO4-1451 Introduction to Marine Sciences
• Program involvement: Earth, Life and Climate master track