Dr. Samantha (Mandy) Joye

Roles: Special Guest

Institution: University of Georgia – Athens, Department of Marine Sciences

Dr. Joye began her work on the microbiology and geochemistry of Gulf of Mexico cold seeps in 1994, first studying the process of aerobic methane oxidation and then turning her attention to the anaerobic oxidation of methane and sulfate reduction. Today, her work in the Gulf of Mexico examines the microbial inhabitants of gas hydrate and associated sediments as well as the microbial biogeochemistry of brine flows and mud volcanoes. Current projects focus on studying the distribution of archaea and bacteria and documenting rates of the anaerobic oxidation of methane and sulfate reduction in a variety of habitats at in situ pressure.

Areas of Expertise / Interest: Microbial Biogeochemistry; Geosciences and Geochemistry; Biochemistry and Molecular Structure and Function; Microbiology; Biological Oceanography; Chemical Oceanography

Education: Ph.D. in Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1993; M.S. in Geochemistry, Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina; 1989; B.S. in Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1987.