Lizzy Wilbanks

Lizzy Wilbanks is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology (EEMB) at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Her research focuses on elucidating microbial processes critical to global biogeochemical cycles, particularly in marine environments. She investigates microbial interactions in biofilms and aggregates using multi-omics, microscopy, and geochemical techniques.

• Education: B.A. in Chemistry & Biology (Swarthmore College), Ph.D. in Microbiology (UC Davis), Postdoc at Caltech (NASA/Agouron Fellowships)
• Lab: Wilbanks Lab explores microbial metabolism in systems like salt marsh aggregates, marine snow, and giant kelp microbiomes

Research emphasizes spatial context of microbial interactions, their impact on population dynamics, and evolution. Current projects bridge single-cell physiology to ecosystem-scale processes.