Microorganisms may be invisible to the naked eye, but their impact on our planet is enormous. In this episode, Dr. Christopher Garner, assistant professor of biology at Southern Nazarene University, explores the fascinating world of microbiology and the powerful role microbes play in shaping ecosystems, influencing climate processes, and driving scientific innovation.

Dr. Garner earned his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Oklahoma in 2024, where he taught microbiology and received the 2022 Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Research Fellowship. His research focuses on methane-oxidizing bacteria, microbial ecology, and the discovery and classification of new bacterial species.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How mosquitoes can spread and interact with different microbiomes.
• The role microbes play in environmental solutions like wastewater treatment and bioremediation.
• How microbial communities adapt to environmental change and what that means for future ecosystems.

From climate science and sustainability to emerging biotechnology, Dr. Garner explains why microbes are essential to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

To learn more about Dr. Garner, visit his academic website and his SNU webpage.

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/38oMlMr

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