Bridge Scholar to Present on the History of the Earth

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Bridge Scholar Paula Welander, assistant professor of earth system science at Stanford University, will discuss on Tuesday, March 26 her career trajectory and her award-winning research that gives insight into the history of Earth. In her research, Welander uses a combination of bioinformatics, microbial genetics, physiology and biochemistry to understand the function of biomarkers in bacteria, known as “molecular fossils.”

“How Does a Microbiologist End Up in the Earth Sciences?” will be the focus of her Bridge2Impacts presentation from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Skinner Hall 201. RSVPs are encouraged.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Morrill II 222, she will discuss the “Synthesis of Membrane Lipids in Archaea.” This Bridge2Science: Microbiology Seminar Series talk is open to the public.

Graduate students from all disciplines are invited to Bridge2Students pizza lunch with Welander from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Integrated Science Building 145. RSVPs are encouraged.

Based in the School of Earth and Sustainability (SES), Bridge is a student-led initiative originally supported by a Campus Climate Improvement Grant. It’s now funded by SES and its five departments: environmental conservation, geosciences, landscape architecture and regional planning, microbiology and Stockbridge School of Agriculture. 

The Bridge Scholars Program aims to increase representation and visibility of early career scientists from underrepresented backgrounds, as defined by the National Science Foundation. Welander is a first-generation scientist and the daughter of Mexican immigrants.