The Amend Lab mascots have been a beloved part of the group's culture, accompanying members on field excursions and providing morale during long lab days.
Faculty
Jan Amend, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Professor of Earth Sciences & Biological Sciences
Director, C-DEBI
In memoriam: Dr. Amend passed away on February 1, 2024.
Lab Manager
Postdocs
The Amend Lab has hosted postdoctoral researchers working across microbial geochemistry, subsurface biosphere studies, and bioenergetics. For current postdoc openings, please contact the Lab Manager.
Students
Graduate and undergraduate students in the lab pursue research in areas including the continental and marine subsurface biospheres, novel microbes, astrobiology, origin of life, carbon cycling, and bioenergetics. Recent student achievements include Ph.D. defenses by Heidi Aronson, Didi Bojanova, and Jayme Feyhl-Buska, as well as Cais Thomas receiving the departmental Rock Hammer award for highest GPA.
Mascots
Alumni
Former lab members have gone on to positions in academia, industry, and government research worldwide. Notable alumni transitions include:
- Fabai Wu — Principal Investigator, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Roman Barco — Assistant Research Professor, Earth Sciences, USC
- Heidi Aronson — Ph.D. (defended); research featured in New Scientist
- Didi Bojanova — Ph.D. (defended)
- Jayme Feyhl-Buska — Ph.D. (defended)
- Cais Thomas — Rock Hammer award recipient
- Kilian Ashely — proto-doctor