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Publications in VIVO

Kopf, Sebastian H

Associate Professor

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Research

research overview

  • Dr. Kopf's research is focused on uncovering how microorganisms grow in their natural habitats and how they produce various types of biomarkers - traces of life that are preserved in the environment for millions and sometimes billions of years. Understanding the origin and purpose of these biological signatures enables us to better reconstruct past environments and helps predict how microbial life will respond to future change.

keywords

  • geomicrobiology, stable isotope geochemistry, organic geochemistry, microbial physiology & genetics, aquatic chemistry, biogeochemical cycling

Publications

selected publications

Teaching

courses taught

  • ENVS 4185 - Geomicrobiology
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2019
    Examines how microbial and chemical processes interact on the Earth's surface today and have shaped the planet throughout its history. Emphasis will be placed on how the life styles and chemical ingenuity of microorganisms drive key biogeochemical processes including weathering and transformations of carbon, oxygen, sulfur, iron and nitrogen. Towards this goal, major geologic and evolutionary events will be examined through the lens of microbial diversity, metabolic energetics, microbe-mineral interactions, and molecular biomarkers. Recommended prerequisites: GEOL 1180 or MCDB 1150 or GEOL 3320 or EBIO 3400 or ENVS 4160 or EVEN 4484. Same as GEOL 5185, GEOL 4185, and MCDB 4185.
  • GEOL 1180 - Our Microbial Planet
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2018 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
    Examines how microorganisms shape the world around us, both throughout the Earth's history and today. Major topics include the origin and evolution of life, the interplay between microbes and the environment, roles of microbes in global change, and applications of microbiology in biotechnology and energy.
  • GEOL 3181 - Microbial Planet Laboratory
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
    Provides beginner friendly lab & research experience working on a microbiology project. The course teaches how to conduct original scientific research from hypothesis to experimentation, evaluation and reporting. Students study non-pathogenic microorganisms they isolate themselves from nature as part of the course. Hands-on topics covered in class include how to isolate & culture new microbes; how to observe, describe and classify them; and how to examine their metabolic capabilities such as the production of antibiotics. Recommended prerequisite: GEOL 1180 or MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1210.
  • GEOL 4185 - Geomicrobiology
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2019 / Spring 2022
    Examines how microbial and chemical processes interact on the Earth�s surface today and have shaped the planet throughout its history. Emphasis will be placed on how the life styles and chemical ingenuity of microorganisms drive key biogeochemical processes including weathering and transformations of carbon, oxygen, sulfur, iron and nitrogen. Towards this goal, major geologic and evolutionary events will be examined through the lens of microbial diversity, metabolic energetics, microbe-mineral interactions, and molecular biomarkers. Recommended prerequisites: GEOL 1180 or MCDB 1150 or GEOL 3320 or EBIO 3400 or ENVS 4160 or EVEN 4484. Same as GEOL 5185, ENVS 4185, and MCDB 4185.
  • GEOL 4700 - Special Geological Topics
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2023
    Studies in selected geological subjects of special current interest (for undergraduates). May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours within a term.
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