Dr. Trista Vick-Majors
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Tech
Curriculum vitae | Google Scholar | ResearchGate | ORCID | Twitter
I am a microbial ecologist who studies how microorganisms interact with biogeochemical cycles. Microbially-mediated transformations of elements are integral to aquatic ecosystem function, yet little is known about the controls on microbial activity. My research interests focus on the activities and energetics of microbial metabolism in aquatic environments, especially those that are energy-limited. I am also interested in microbial interactions with ice, and microbial ecosystem-level responses to change, both within the context of seasonal cycles (e.g. lake ice-on and ice-off) and incremental and acute changes related to land-use or climate change.
I teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, and Limnology.
Graduate Students
Maci Quintanilla, Ph.D. Student, Biological Sciences
I joined Dr. Vick-Majors’ lab in the fall of 2020 after completing my Master’s in the Department of Biological Sciences at Towson University located in Towson, MD. Entering my Master’s program, my goal was to continue my studies in biology and gain a more substantial background. My interest in microbial ecology started after taking an Arctic microbiology course at the University Centre in Svalbard, the northernmost university in the world. This course fed my curiosity and left me wanting to explore this exciting field even more. My goal as a PhD student at Michigan Tech is to research the role that microbes play in biogeochemical processes by using molecular techniques and conventional microbiology. I’m particularly interested in understanding these ecosystems in aquatic systems and the cryosphere.
I am passionate scientist who understands the importance of interdisciplinary research. I am grateful to be a part of a lab that is committed to creating an open, inclusive, and fun lab environment. I believe that connecting with one another is critical when working in teams and communicating science effectively, as well as facilitating creativity and new ideas.
I joined Dr. Vick-Majors’ lab in the fall of 2020 after completing my Master’s in the Department of Biological Sciences at Towson University located in Towson, MD. Entering my Master’s program, my goal was to continue my studies in biology and gain a more substantial background. My interest in microbial ecology started after taking an Arctic microbiology course at the University Centre in Svalbard, the northernmost university in the world. This course fed my curiosity and left me wanting to explore this exciting field even more. My goal as a PhD student at Michigan Tech is to research the role that microbes play in biogeochemical processes by using molecular techniques and conventional microbiology. I’m particularly interested in understanding these ecosystems in aquatic systems and the cryosphere.
I am passionate scientist who understands the importance of interdisciplinary research. I am grateful to be a part of a lab that is committed to creating an open, inclusive, and fun lab environment. I believe that connecting with one another is critical when working in teams and communicating science effectively, as well as facilitating creativity and new ideas.
Garrett Lukosavich, M.S. Student, Biological Sciences
I began work in Dr. Vick-Majors lab in the winter of 2022 as part of my undergraduate capstone research project. Initially brought on as a field hand to assist with the collection of ice and snow samples from many of the Keweenaw Peninsula’s lakes, I’ve since begun work on investigating the formation of microbial assemblages in freshwater ice for my M.S. program. My primary interest lies in the community dynamics and resource partitioning of this unique ice-bound ecosystem, and the development of novel methodologies to help drive adjacent research.
I began work in Dr. Vick-Majors lab in the winter of 2022 as part of my undergraduate capstone research project. Initially brought on as a field hand to assist with the collection of ice and snow samples from many of the Keweenaw Peninsula’s lakes, I’ve since begun work on investigating the formation of microbial assemblages in freshwater ice for my M.S. program. My primary interest lies in the community dynamics and resource partitioning of this unique ice-bound ecosystem, and the development of novel methodologies to help drive adjacent research.
Undergraduate Students
Kali Kater, Biological Sciences, Michigan Tech
Kali is an undergraduate research assistant working on flow cytometry.
Kali is an undergraduate research assistant working on flow cytometry.
Matthew Brovont, Biological Sciences, Michigan Tech
Matthew is an undergraduate research assistant working on ATP analysis in aquatic samples.
Matthew is an undergraduate research assistant working on ATP analysis in aquatic samples.
Lab Alums
Graduate Students
Vanessa Cubillos Tellez, M.S., Biological Sciences, 2023. Currently Lab Technician for AQUA lab at Michigan Tech.
Undergraduate Students
Garrett Lukosavich, Undergraduate Researcher, Biological Sciences
Rachel Anguish, Undergraduate Researcher, Environmental Engineering
Aleksander Milosevic, Undergraduate Researcher, Biological Sciences
Neve Badalow, Undergraduate Researcher, Biological Sciences
Christopher Downey, Undergraduate Researcher, Biological Sciences
Halle Hill, Undergraduate Researcher, Biological Sciences
Alayna Merten, Undergraduate Researcher, Statistics
Melia Austin, Undergraduate Researcher, Biological Sciences
Ethan Miller, Undergraduate Researcher, Biological Sciences
Andrew Jazdyzk, Undergraduate Researcher, Biological Sciences
Lydia Nicholas, Undergraduate Researcher, Biological Sciences
Alex Baker, Research Assistant, Biological Sciences
Vanessa Cubillos Tellez, Undergraduate Researcher, Biological Sciences
Mady Sherman, Michigan Tech Undergraduate Research Internship Program