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 Sep 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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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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Role of trace-gas oxidising bacteria from the Chloroflexi group in Italian volcanic deposits
31/03/23 → 30/06/25
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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Isoprene-degrading Bacteria in Tropical Rainforest Soil: Diversity and Sensitivity to Drought
Applied Microbiology International
1/06/23 → 27/07/23
Project: Research
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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 AccessFile -
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
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Diversity and assembly of active bacteria and their potential function along soil aggregates in a paddy field
Ding, C., Xu, X., Liu, Y., Huang, X., Xi, M., Liu, H., Deyett, E., Dumont, M. G., Di, H., Hernández, M., Xu, J. & Li, Y., 25 Mar 2023, In: Science of the Total Environment. 866, 161360.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Functional basis of primary succession: Traits of the pioneer microbes
Ni, G., Lappan, R., Hernández, M., Santini, T., Tomkins, A. G. & Greening, C., Jan 2023, In: Environmental Microbiology. 25, 1, p. 171-176 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Citations (Scopus)24 Downloads (Pure)