Naupaka Zimmerman

Naupaka Zimmerman is an Associate Professor and Program Director in Biology at the University of San Francisco. His research integrates microbial community ecology with ecosystem science, focusing on plant-microbe interactions, particularly asymptomatic foliar fungi (endophytes).

Current projects examine microbial biogeography in natural and urban environments using genomic and transcriptomic approaches. Field sites include Hawai'i (Metrosideros polymorpha), San Francisco urban gradients, and Star Route Farms agricultural systems.

Publications span microbial ecology, bioinformatics education, and environmental data science, with recent work emphasizing decomposition processes and urban microbial patterns.

Zimmerman advises multiple graduate students researching urban aerial microbiomes, agricultural microbial systems, and drought responses.