My research focuses on understanding patterns and processes governing microbial diversity, and their ecosystem functions such as terrestrial symbioses and decomposition. I am particularly interested in how increasing disturbances in the age of the Anthropocene impact soil microbial communities and their functions. I specialize in mycorrhizal fungi and soil fungi and bacteria. I received my B.A. in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania, where I also received a Masters of Environmental Studies. I completed my Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, & Management at UC Berkeley with Prof. Tom Bruns. I completed my post-doc on microbial contribution to leaf litter decomposition with Prof. Jennifer Martiny at UC Irvine.
On July 1, 2018 I joined the faculty of the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology at the University of California, Riverside as an Assistant Professor. My lab focuses on understanding the role of soil fungi and bacteria in ecosystem regeneration after wildfires, and the role of microbial community complexity and fungal-bacterial interactions in litter decomposition.
Sydney I. Glassman 