Marian Schmidt

Marian Schmidt serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Their research program investigates freshwater microbial communities through the lens of microbial ecology and evolutionary biology, addressing critical environmental challenges posed by climate change.

Dr. Schmidt specializes in how warming, acidification, and nutrient enrichment in aquatic ecosystems impact microbial community diversity, structure, and genome dynamics. Their work examines microbial roles in water quality degradation, harmful cyanobacterial blooms, lake deoxygenation, and carbon cycling processes. The research employs integrated field studies, molecular biology techniques, and computational analysis to uncover fundamental ecological and evolutionary principles governing freshwater microbiomes.

The Schmidt Lab operates at the intersection of environmental science and microbiology, utilizing interdisciplinary approaches to address climate change impacts on aquatic systems. They participate in Cornell Atkinson sustainability initiatives, including research on solar panel-topped ponds' biological effects, demonstrating commitment to applied environmental solutions through collaborative, cross-departmental projects within Cornell's research ecosystem.