About Us
Mónica Sánchez-Román
Mónica’s research concentrates on the interactions between biosphere and geosphere with an emphasis in geomicrobiology and biogeochemistry. Her research interests are mainly focused on low temperature and environmental geochemistry with a focus on biomineralization and/or mineral-microbe interactions that play a key role in biogeochemical processes. Studies of important modern environmental systems, such as hypersaline and alkaline lagoons (Lagoa Vermelha and Brejo do Espinho, Brazil) and extreme acidic environments (Rio Tinto, Spain), have led her to evaluate the biogeochemical influences on these extreme environments. The main goals of her research are (1) the study of the physico-chemical parameters controlling the sediment production in modern Earth surface environments; (2) the simulation of those physico-chemical conditions in laboratory experiments using the microbial community associated with the production of those sediments and (3) to understand the influence of microbes on mineral precipitation in modern and ancient systems on Earth, extraterrestrial planets and extraplanetary bodies.
Monica was awarded a PhD in Earth Sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. Since then, she has continued to develop her research career holding positions at the University of Georgia (USA) and the Savannah River National Laboratory (USA) with a NASA fellowship to study the formation of carbonates (e.g., dolomite, ankerite, siderite) at low temperature and their implication for the search of Life in other planets such as Mars. Then, she moved to the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA), in Madrid (Spain), with a ERC fellowship to study the carbonate formation in the extreme acidic environment of Rio Tinto and its implication for the terrestrial and extraterrestrial geological records, respectively. Currently, she is an Associate Professor in the Earth Science Department at the Vrije University (VU) in Amsterdam (Netherlands). In recent years, her research has focused on the biotic and abiotic formation of sedimentary (low temperature) carbonates, phosphates, sulfates and silicates in (hyper)saline and extreme acidic environments in order to define potential biosignatures for early life on Earth and Mars.
Camila Areias
As a postdoctoral researcher at the Vrije University of Amsterdam in the Geobiology lab I am investigating early diagenetic processes, e.g. micritization, in extreme environments such as the sabkhas from the Arabian Gulf. I combine experimental diagenesis and biology with geochemistry to better understand the modern environments with microbial-induced carbonate precipitation which can help to clarify the history of the Earth and make a parallel with extraterrestrial planets and extraplanetary bodies, such as Mars.
I am a Biologist working in Geosciences since my MSc. Thesis in 2016. During my Ph.D. in Geochemistry, I used molecular biomarkers and stable isotopic composition of specific organic compounds in surface water and sediments to investigate the link between local coastal upwelling and environmental conditions with the modern precipitation of carbonate minerals in two hypersaline lagoons in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
Zeina Naim
My studies target the understanding of the mechanisms in carbonate formation in natural systems which are of fundamental importance for unravelling modern environments and being a window into the geological past of Earth and potentially Mars. In particular, I investigate how and if microorganisms control the geochemistry and mineralogy of carbonate minerals growing under low temperatures to define them as proxies of the paleo-conditions of formation.
I am a Petroleum Geoscience Graduate from the American University of Beirut. In 2020 I pursued my master’s degree in Geophysics and Reservoir Geology at Universitat de Barcelona. Currently, I am doing my doctoral research in geomicrobiology and Geochemistry at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Tingting Yao
My studies focus on the sedimentary geology and reservoir geology, mainly including siliciclastic rocks and carbonate rocks. A multidisciplinary method, including geology, geochemistry, and geophysics, has been used to study sedimentary and diagenetic evolution of geological blocks. The objective of my researches is to provide a guidance for the prediction of reservoir with high quality in petroleum industry.
I am a petroleum geoscience graduate from Yangtze University in 2013. I obtained my master degree from China University of Petroleum (CUP) in 2016. Now I am a Joint PhD student between China University of Geosciences (CUG) and Vrije University (VU), funded by China Scholarship Council (CSC).
Guolai Li
My research focuses on the dolomite. Through geochemical analysis and culture experiments, my project aims to figuring out the paleo-environment of our research areas, and testing the accuracy of using biomarker as a new proxy for paleo-environment research.
I got my bachelor degree in geological resources in 2017 in Central South University in China. The next year, I started my master’s study in the Geoenergy Lab in the same university, and got my master’s degree in 2021. Now I’m doing my PhD study in the Geomicrobiology and Geochemistry Lab at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Pablo Del Buey Fernandez
My research focuses on organomineralization and biomineralization of clay, sulfate and carbonate minerals in hypersaline and hyperalkaline ephemeral lakes. By combining field and laboratory experiments, I try to decipher the mechanisms that control the precipitation of complex lacustrine mineral assemblages under biotic influence.
I am a Geologist working in microbial mats since the beginning of my PhD thesis (2016). During these years I obtained experience on the characterization of microbial and algal mats to investigate the link of mineral precipitation and metabolic activity (e.g. production and degradation of EPS).
Past Members
