MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES FOUND IN AGRICULTURAL AND CA VERNAL POOL ENVIRONMENTS

My lab is interested in the role Bacteria play in a variety of ecosystems.  In collaboration with Dr. Amisha Poret-Peterson at the USDA-ARS Crops Pathology and Genetics Research Unit in Davis, CA, we investigate the role of bacteria in the process of anaerobic soil disinfestation.  In addition, I collaborate with Dr. Jamie Kneitel at Sacramento State on the role Bacteria have in the CA Vernal Pool Ecosystem.

TINY EARTH NETWORK AT SACRAMENTO STATE

The Tiny Earth Network, based out of the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, is an international effort led by scientists to address two critical challenges facing our world today:  1)  Training and retention of diverse undergraduate students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) disciplines, and 2) the rise of antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic bacteria.   Sacramento State is proud to be part of the Tiny Earth Network, and the curriculum is currently implemented in BIO 145:  Diversity of Microorganisms. My lab continues to catalog and study unusual antibiotic-producing bacteria that are found by students in this course. 

PEOPLE

#TeamScience

ENID T. GONZALEZ-ORTA, PH.D.

Professor of Biological Sciences

Dr. Gonzalez-Orta is a Professor of Biological Sciences and the Director of the Science Educational Equity Program at Sacramento State.  She is dedicated to causes and programs that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, including outreach to diverse youth in the greater Sacramento area through the 4-H On the Wild Side Program. 

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For more information about office hours, etc., please visit:  Gonzalez-Orta Faculty Website

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Gonzalez-Orta CV

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MAHSHAD FALLAH

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Mahshad Fallah is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Cell and Molecular biology. She is a science and math tutor at Peer and Academic Resource Center and the Pearly Whites Coordinator for the Pre-Dental Association at Sacramento State.   
Mahshad has a passion for research; therefore, she is participating in the Tiny Earth Project.   In this role, she is analyzing antibiotic-producing bacteria collected by students in BIO 145: Diversity of Microorganisms. Her future career goal is to become a general dentist and to help establish a nonprofit organization for oral health. 

HECTOR NAVARRO

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hector Navarro is currently an undergraduate student at California State University of Sacramento pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology.  He is part of the Science Educational Equity Program and is a Hornet Science Scholar. His avid interest in the field led him to participate in research as a student researcher. Presently he is taking part in community analyses of bacteria involved in different treatments of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation. In the future Hector hopes to become a research scientist in the field of biology.

ALESSANDRA RODRIGUEZ

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Alessandra is an undergraduate researcher in the RISE Program at Sacramento State. She is a Hornet Science Scholar, and a part of the Science Educational Equity Program at Sacramento State as well. Her major is in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Microbiology; her interests lie in discovering more about various microbes and also learning more about the mechanisms and processes that lead to success in viruses. Currently, she is working on identifying and testing bacterial isolates for antibiotic production that were collected by students from the Spring 2018 BIO 145 class. Her future career goal is to do research in virology and contribute to the general knowledge of microbes and especially viruses.
Alessandra is also a mother to three beautiful children and enjoys hiking and taking them to the park. She also enjoys volunteering in their classrooms and doing projects with them and their classmates when she can.

RAMON ZACARIAS

Undergraduate Researcher

Under Construction!