I am a co-PI on the grant that is funding this expedition. Also, I am a geomicrobiologist interested in the following questions: (1) Do bacteria obtain energy in the form of reduced iron and manganese from basalts for growth and if so, who are they? (2) Do bacteria accelerate the weathering of volcanic glass? (3) What are the molecular mechanisms by which bacteria obtain reduced forms of iron and manganese from basalts? and (4) What are the pathways of carbon fixation by bacteria that colonize basalts?

Where is your hometown?

I now call Portland, OR my home although I’ve lived all over the U.S. most recently and for the longest time in San Diego, CA.

What is your career?

Professor.

What is your education and training?

I have a B.A. degree in Biology from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UCSD). My postdoctoral work was in Chemical Oceanography and Marine Geochemistry.

What inspired you to choose your career and which persons were your role models?

I can’t say that it was any great inspiration or there was a role model that lead me to my career —i t was quite accidental and a path that I just followed without much forethought. However, I began doing research as an undergraduate in the laboratory of Dr. Kenneth Nealson, and it was certainly his enthusiasm and scientific insights that got me excited about research in general and geomicrobiology as a field.

What are some of your favorite things about life at sea?

For this cruise, the endless supply of papaya for breakfast! But in general, it’s getting away from the routine and mundane tasks (mostly) of my office. It’s also the only time I get to do any research myself.

What do you do in your free time?

Jogging, hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, skiing, camping, biking and more routinely, I like to cook and eat good food!

Anything else you’d like to say?

The Jason 2 is an awesome research facility! It’s fun to work with the great bunch of scientists and crew on this cruise (which can’t be said for every cruise).

Contact information:

Department of Environmental and Biomolecular Systems
OGI School of Science & Engineering
Oregon Health & Science University
20000 NW Walker Rd.
Beaverton, OR 97006

Email: tebo@ebs.ogi.edu
Website: http://www.ebs.ogi.edu/tebo

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