William C. Ghiorse

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

In recent years my main academic responsibility has shifted to teaching general microbiology.

Past research focused on the activities of indigenous and introduced microbes and their interaction in natural systems. We studied isolated representative organisms in laboratory experiments to determine the environmental and biological factors controlling the activities of interest. Laboratory results were validated in the field studies, usually in collaboration with scientists in other disciplines.

My current research focuses on mechanisms of iron and manganese oxidation by Leptothrix discophora, a model ferromanganese-depositing beta-proteobacterium.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Dr. Bill Ghiorse is Professor in 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 was a pioneer in the sub-fields of subsurface microbiology and geomicrobiology. He currently teaches a large introductory General Microbiology course (BioMI 2900) in the fall semester.

He is Editor-in-Chief of Geomicrobiology Journal (click here for Geomicrobiology home page)