Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
I am an environmental microbiologist studying the diversity and function of soil microbiomes. My research interests fall into two main areas: the mechanisms and pre-existence of antimicrobial resistance genes in soil ecosystems, and the study of microbes involved in the oxidation of carbon monoxide and methane. The specific aims of my research are to identify and characterise the major players in biogeochemical cycling of the components of trace gases (for example carbon monoxide and methane). I am currently studying the metabolic processes and substrate preferences of microorganisms in volcanic deposits, which are one of the most fertile soils in the world. I analyse the metabolic pathways for key microorganisms by using metagenomic approaches to determine which natural gases they use as carbon sources. For this, I lead sampling campaigns in volcanoes in Chile and the US and incubate volcanic soils with labelled carbon and perform metagenomics to identify the active microbial communities and characterise their function in these soil deposits.
Website: www.marcelahernandez.com
Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=dlddUx0AAAAJ&hl=en
Academic Background
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PhD, Natural Resource Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. Advisor: Prof. Michael Seeger, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile
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MSc Natural Resource Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
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BSc, Universidad Católica Ssma. Concepción, Concepción, Chile
Career
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2019-2023: Senior Editor for Journal of Applied Microbiology
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2019-2022: Trustee of the Society for Applied Microbiology
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2020-2021: Senior Research Associate, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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2019-2020: Humboldt Fellow, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Thünen Institut für Biodiversität, Braunschweig, Germany
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2016-2018: NERC Research Associate in Environmental Microbiology, University of Southampton, UK
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2012-2015: Research Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology (MPItM), Marburg, Germany
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2013-2015: Scientific Coordinator, International Max Planck Research School for Environmental, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology IMPRS, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology (MPItM), Marburg, Germany
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2010-2012: Humboldt Fellow, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology. Marburg, Germany
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
External positions
Chief Editor Letters in Applied Microbiology
8 Sept 2022 → …
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Centre of Advanced Environmental Microbiology
Field, R., Butt, J., Gates, A., Hernández, M., Lehtovirta-Morley, L., Mock, T. & Todd, J.
10/06/24 → 9/06/26
Project: Research
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Mapping the resistome of the community in a soil re-carbonisation process
Applied Microbiology International
1/02/24 → 31/01/26
Project: Research
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Contribution of trace gases to microbial colonisation of volcanic soils
1/10/21 → 30/09/26
Project: Fellowship
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Classification of MAGs associated with trace gas metabolism in volcanic soils named following SeqCode rules
Roy, S., King, G. M. & Hernández, M., Jul 2025, In: Systematic and Applied Microbiology. 48, 4, 126622.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Metabolism of CO and H2 by pioneer bacteria in volcanic soils and the phyllosphere
Fantom, N., Dawson, R. A., Prondvai, E., Constant, P., King, G. M., Schäfer, H. & Hernández, M., 2025, In: The ISME Journal. 19, 1, wraf053.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus) -
Methane production related to microbiota in dairy cattle feces
Liu, J., Zhou, M., Zhou, L., Run Dang, Xiao, L., Tan, Y., Li, M., Yu, J., Zhang, P., Hernández, M. & Lichtfouse, E., 15 Feb 2025, In: Environmental Research. 267, 120642.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Biomethane is produced by acetate cleavage, not direct interspecies electron transfer: Genome-centric view and carbon isotope
Liu, J., Yu, J., Tan, Y., Run Dang, Zhou, M., Hernández, M., Lichtfouse, E. & Xiao, L., Nov 2023, In: Bioresource Technology. 387, 129589.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Citations (Scopus) -
Distinct responses of soil methanotrophy in hummocks and hollows to simulated glacier meltwater and temperature rise in Tibetan glacier foreland
Zhu, X., Deng, Y., Hernández, M., Fang, J., Xing, P. & Liu, Y., 1 Mar 2023, In: Science of the Total Environment. 862, 160888.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
3 Citations (Scopus)