Lab News & Updates

Recent announcements, member achievements, conference presentations, and media features from The Amend Lab.

The Amend Lab, based at the University of Southern California, focuses on the intersection of microbial geochemistry, bioenergetics, and the deep biosphere. Under the direction of Professor Jan Amend, the group investigates how microorganisms thrive in extreme subsurface environments, both beneath the ocean floor and within continental rocks. Their work spans topics from the origin of life on Earth to the cycling of carbon and other elements in marine and terrestrial settings. The lab's research combines field sampling expeditions with laboratory experiments and computational modeling to understand the energy constraints that shape microbial life in the deep Earth.

Members of the Amend Lab regularly share their findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences. Recent announcements highlight the achievements of postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers who have earned awards, accepted faculty positions, or advanced to principal investigator roles at institutions around the world. The lab also maintains an active presence in the astrobiology community, contributing to NASA-related initiatives and collaborative projects that explore how life might persist beyond our planet. These efforts reflect the group's commitment to training the next generation of scientists in geomicrobiology and related fields.

The lab community extends beyond the research bench to include a tight-knit group of alumni, current students, mascots, and longtime collaborators. News updates often celebrate milestones such as dissertation defenses, departmental honors, and professional promotions, alongside personal moments of recognition within the broader scientific community. The group has also navigated times of loss, with heartfelt tributes honoring colleagues whose contributions continue to shape the lab's direction and values. Through these announcements, the website serves as a living record of both the scientific progress and the human connections that define the Amend Lab experience.

Visitors to the news section will find a steady stream of updates covering everything from newly funded projects and manuscript requests to conference travel and media features. The lab's research interests in marine microbiology, continental subsurface ecosystems, and bioenergetic modeling are reflected throughout these postings, giving readers a window into the day-to-day activities of the group. Whether highlighting a featured scientist, announcing a new paper, or celebrating an award, the news page keeps the broader community informed about the ongoing work and evolving legacy of this dynamic research laboratory.

Stay Connected

For the latest updates, visit our homepage or reach out via the contact page. You can also browse lab members to learn more about the people behind the research.