Department of Microbiology
Cornell University
B75C Wing Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-5701

Phone: (607) 255-3086
Fax: (607) 255-3904
E-Mail: wcg1@cornell.edu

Research in my laboratory focuses on understanding native and introduced microorganisms and their interactions with native communities in natural systems. We employ direct microscopic techniques, nucleic acid extraction, and other methods of molecular and cell biology including molecular probes and fluorescence detection methods. The purpose is to identify specific community members in a natural system and determine the controlling relationships between the specific microorganism and its environment. Isolated representative organisms can be studied in laboratory experiments to understand specific biogeochemical processes and to determine the environmental factors controlling these processes. Laboratory results are validated in field experiments usually in collaboration with scientists in other disciplines.

Current projects focus on biofilm structure and function, iron and manganese oxidation and toxic metal binding by Leptothrix discophora, and survival biology of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in natural systems.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Dr. Bill Ghiorse is Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology.
He received his B.A. from the University of Vermont in 1963, his M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1969 and his Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1973. He was a Postdoctoral at Cornell and then at the University of Kiel (W. Germany) before joining the faculty in 1978. He currently teaches a large introductory General Microbiology course (BioMI 290) each semester, and an Advanced Microbiology Laboratory course for undergraduates in the fall (BioMI 391).
He is Editor-in-Chief of Geomicrobiology Journal (click here for Geomicrobiology home page)