Robert Logan on Microscopic Organisms in Deserts

On this week’s The Sci-Files, your co-hosts Chelsie and Daniel interview Robert Logan about his research on deserts, here at the Michigan State University W. K. Kellogg Biological Station. Robert is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology/Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Program.

Climate models predict that deserts are likely to get hotter and drier in the coming decades which will most likely have big effects on the people and other organisms that live in these already resource-scarce areas. When plants and animals die, they start to decompose, so through gaining a better understanding of how desert ecosystems work, will help us develop better strategies to deal with the challenges in arid lands.

In order to gain more understanding, Robert is studying microorganisms that live in one of the driest places on the planet. This research will help scientists understand how they change their environment and how it impacts our lives.

If you’re interested in talking about your MSU research on the radio or nominating a student, please email Chelsie and Danny at scifiles@impact89fm.org. Check The Sci-Files out on Twitter @SciFiles89FM and Facebook!