Shepherd Laboratories 340
Assistant Professor
PhD, 2008, University of Southern California
Geobiology Research Group Website:
http://geobiology.geo.umn.edu/Welcome.html
Research Interests
The Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere is profoundly influenced by the activities of microorganisms. Geobiological processes that underpin modern biogeochemical cycles also shaped ancient environments, from the formation of authigenic mineral deposits, to the oxygenation of Earth's early atmosphere. My primary scientific interest is to better understand interactions between the biosphere and geosphere in both modern and ancient settings.
In order to accomplish these goals, our lab takes the following approaches
- We study modern geobiologically-relevant microbes and their metabolisms with the goals of better understanding their biology, evolution and biogeochemical significance in the modern, as well as to potentially identify these organisms in the rock record using novel approaches.
- We investigate the chemistry, petrology, and micropaleontology of modern and ancient mineral deposits and sedimentary structures that may provide us with evidence of microbial activity.
- We actively seek to establish new methods, such as immunodetection, for detecting and studying modern and ancient microbial activity.
Active Research and Interests
- Investigating the ecophysiology of large sulfur bacteria such as Thiomargarita
- Exploring the metabolic and ecological diversity of chemoautotrophic microbes
- Exploring the role of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in the precipitation and dissolution of authigenic minerals
- Studying chemosynthetic microbial communities and their preservation in the rock record
- Developing antibodies as in-situ organic biomarker detection tools
- Understanding the deep subsurface biosphere and its geological record
Professional Society Membership
- Geological Society of America
- International Society for Microbial Ecology
- Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science
Honors and Awards
- Agouron Institute Geobiology Postdoctoral Fellowship
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Selected Publications
- Bailey, J.V., Raub, T.D., Meckler, A.N., Harrison, B.K., Raub, T.M.D., Green, A.M., and Orphan, V.J., 2010, Pseudofossils in relict methane seep carbonates resemble endemic microbial consortia. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 285, p. 131-142.
- Bailey, J.V., Orphan, V.J., Joye, S.B., and Corsetti, F.A., 2009, Chemotrophic microbial mats and their potential for preservation in the rock record. Astrobiology, v. 9, p. 843-859.
- Bailey, J.V., Joye, S.B., Kalanetra, K.M., Flood, B.E., and Corsetti, F.A., 2007, Evidence of giant sulphur bacteria in Neoproterozoic phosphorites. Nature, v. 445, p. 198-201.
- Bailey, J.V., Joye, S.B., Kalanetra, K.M., Flood, B.E., and Corsetti, F.A., 2007, Undressing and redressing Ediacaran embryos. Nature, doi: 10.1038/nature05753.
- Bailey, J.V., Corsetti, F.A., Bottjer, D.J., and Marenco, K.N., 2006, Microbially-mediated environmental influences on metazoan colonization of matground ecosystems: evidence from the Lower Cambrian Harkless Formation. Palaios, v. 21, p. 215-226.
- Bailey, J.V., Cohen, A.S., and Kring, D.A., 2005, Lacustrine fossil preservation in acidic environments: Implications of experimental and field studies for the Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary acid rain trauma. Palaios, v. 20, p. 376-389.