Jamie Foster is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. Dr. Foster’s research lab is located at the Space Life Sciences Lab at the Kennedy Space Center, FL.

Education: Ph.D., 2000, Zoology, Mechanisms of developmental remodeling in the symbiosis between the Hawaiian squid Euprymna scolopes and the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri, University of Hawai'i; M.S., 1996, Biological Sciences University of Southern California; B.S., 1992, Zoology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Research Interests: Dr. Foster is dedicated to understanding the complex interactions of symbiotic microbes with their surrounding environment.

Educational Outreach: Dr. Foster believes that in addition to doing great science, researchers must be able to communicate their findings to general audiences. Through academic courses and outreach activities, the gap between scientific discovery and public awareness of this knowledge can be closed. Teaching should not be looked at as a chore but an opportunity to engage the public in the scientific process; thereby fostering an understanding and support for future scientific research endeavors.

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Jennifer Mobberley is a graduate student in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science of the University of Florida and was a 2008 Space Florida - Florida Space Grant Consortium summer research student at the Space Life Science Lab at the Kennedy Space Center.

Education: M.S., 2007, Marine Science, University of South Florida; B.S. 2004, Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida.

Research Interests: Jennifer's research interests include examining microbial response and adaptation to environmental stresses, and studying functional metagenomic and metatranscriptomics in microbial mat communities.


Christina Khodadad is a Post-Doctoral research fellow in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. She currently works in Dr. Foster's research lab, located at the Space Life Sciences Lab at the Kennedy Space Center, FL.

Education:  Ph.D., 2008, Biological Sciences, “Genetic variation, population substructure, and sex ratio of the Florida Scrub-jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens,” Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL; M.S., 1978, Natural Sciences, State University of New York, Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, NY; B.S., 1976, Biological Sciences, Marine Option, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL.

Research Interests: Tina’s research interests include population genetics as influenced by life history traits, and gene expression in response to environmental variables.


Steven Ahrendt began at the Space Life Sciences lab in 2007 as a summer intern, then returned each subsequent summer to continue his work on microbial and functional gene diversity in modern microbialites. He is currently working with Dr. Foster to study the effects of microgravity on the colonization of Euprymna scolopes by Vibrio fischeri.

Education: B.S., 2009, Biology/Computer Science, Purdue University

Research Interests: Protein structure/function prediction and gene regulation.


Varun Paul is a summer NASA Planetary Biology Intern working with Dr. Foster on examining the effects of rising CO2 on the microbial and functional gene complexity of modern marine stromatolites. Currently, Varun is working toward a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Education: M.S., 2009, Applied and Environmental Biology, Missouri University of Science and Technology; B.S., 2007, Industrial Biotechnology, St. Peter’s Engineering College, Chennai India.


Maya Ortega is a NASA summer intern sponsored by the Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology (MUST) Program. Maya is working with Dr. Foster at the Space Life Science Lab and examining the diel changes in gene expression in modern lithifying microbialitic mats.

Education: Currently, Maya is undergraduate student at the University of Colorado in the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department working towards a B.S. degree.



Former Lab Members:

Stephanie Havemann is a former Post-Doctoral research fellow in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida from 2007 - 2008. She worked in Dr. Foster's research lab, located at the Space Life Sciences Lab at the Kennedy Space Center, FL. Currently, Dr. Havemann is a member of the faculty of Bayside High School, Palm Bay, FL.

Education: Ph.D., 2006, Chemistry, Directed Evolution of DNA Polymerases, University of Florida; B.S., 2000, Biology, Mercer University, Macon, GA; B.S., 2000, Environmental Science, Mercer University, Macon, GA.


Matoya Robinson, 2007, M.S., 2007, Microbiology and Cell
Science, University of Florida.


Joseph Gredder worked with Dr. Foster as a 2009 NSF REU summer intern on the effects of elevated carbon dioxide and salinity on microbial diversity in marine microbialites. Currently, Joseph is working on obtaining his B.S. degree in Biotechnology at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.