ASM Launches Applied & Environmental Microbiology Unit

ASM Launches Applied & Environmental Microbiology Unit

Jan. 15, 2026

Washington, D.C.-The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) has launched the Applied and Environmental Microbiology (AEM) Scientific Unit, a collaborative hub uniting scientists and professionals across foundational fields in the microbial sciences, including ecology and evolution; biogeochemistry; synthetic biology and engineering and informatics. By fostering interdisciplinary connection and collaboration, the unit will accelerate innovation and translate microbial discovery into solutions that advance climate resilience, food safety and security, bioenergy and bioproducts, healthy soils and clean water.

The unit is led by Director Veronica Garcia, Ph.D., who brings a broad portfolio of experience spanning leadership roles at biotech startups and environmental monitoring work for NASA, and Chair Jay Lennon, Ph.D., professor of biology at Indiana University and a longtime ASM volunteer leader who played a key role in launching the American Academy of Microbiology's 5-year scientific portfolio on climate change.

"Microbial science sits at the heart of many of today's most urgent environmental and industrial challenges," Garcia said. "Through the AEM Scientific Unit, ASM is aligning expertise across applied and environmental microbiology to drive innovation, anticipate emerging needs and deliver scalable solutions."

The AEM Scientific Unit is the second unit established under ASM's strategic roadmap and will encompass a wide range of interconnected fields. By bridging traditionally siloed disciplines, the unit will strengthen the pathway of microbial solutions from discovery to real-world application.

"The challenges ahead require us to think beyond traditional boundaries," Lennon said. "The AEM Scientific Unit provides the structure and momentum needed to unite environmental and applied microbiology and translate scientific insight into action."

Working in partnership with Garcia and Lennon, a Scientific Advisory Council will help guide the AEM unit's strategic direction and scientific focus. The interim council comprises leaders and experts spanning the unit's subdisciplines and across diverse sectors, from government to academia:

• Denise M. Akob, Ph.D., research microbiologist, U.S. Geological Survey.
• John Paul Balmonte, Ph.D., assistant professor, Lehigh University.
• Isaac Cann, Ph.D., professor of animal science, affiliate professor of microbiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
• Erin Field, Ph.D., associate professor, East Carolina University.
• Chenli Liu, Ph.D., Pengcheng Distinguished Professor and President of Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
• Ariane L. Peralta, Ph.D., professor, Department of Biology, East Carolina University.
• Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Ph.D., Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, Livermore National Laboratory.
• Lisa Y. Stein, Ph.D., professor and Canada Research Chair of Climate Change Microbiology, University of Alberta.
• Braden Tierney, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Two Frontiers Project.
• Jian Xu, Ph.D., professor and Director, Single-Cell Center.
• María Mercedes Zambrano, Ph.D., Scientific Director, Corporación Corpogen Research Center.
• Jizhong (Joe) Zhou, Ph.D., George Lynn Cross Research Professor and Director of the Institute for Environmental Genomics, University of Oklahoma.

This international group of experts will collaborate to define the unit's scientific priorities and focus areas, provide insight into emerging trends that inform and shape the AEM Unit's initiatives and engage the broader microbiology community in advancing the unit's goals and long-term, sustainable impact.

Learn more about the AEM Scientific Unit.

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The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of over 38,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.  
  
ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to all audiences.