Garden State Microbiome with Rutgers Professor Lee Kerkhof Ep. 1

Dr. Lee Kerkhof is a renowned marine microbiologist at Rutgers University, where he has been a part of the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences since 1994. With a nearly three-decade-long career, he has significantly contributed to our understanding of microbial life in marine environments.

Dr. Kerkhof’s academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Marine Science and Biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. His early work laid the groundwork for his innovative research on microbial nucleic acids, a focus that continues to define his career.

Over the years, Professor Kerkhof has been at the forefront of groundbreaking studies on the role of microbes in biogeochemical cycles, particularly in marine and coastal systems. His research has touched on topics as diverse as microbial dehalogenation, the impact of climate change on tundra microbiomes, and even the microbial influences on respiratory health. Notably, his work often involves cutting-edge DNA sequencing technologies, such as the Oxford Nanopore MinION, which he’s been using to analyze complex microbiomes in novel and portable ways.

His commitment to education matches Dr. Kerkhof’s dedication to research. At Rutgers, he teaches courses on microbial life, biological oceanography, and marine microbiology, where he shares his passion for the microscopic world with the next generation of scientists.

With over 90 publications and numerous prestigious research grants to his name, including projects funded by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and NASA, Dr. Kerkhof has truly shaped the field of marine microbiology. Beyond his research, he is a sought- after speaker, having presented his findings at conferences and institutions around the globe, from Hamburg to Beijing, from Seoul back to New Brunswick.

Lee was the Theobald Smith Society’s 2024 Waksman Award Lecturer.

In today’s episode, we’ll dive into Dr. Kerkhof’s fascinating work, exploring his experiences and insights into how microbes are not just inhabitants of our world but critical drivers of its processes. Get ready to learn about the unseen forces shaping our planet’s oceans and beyond as we speak with one of the leading voices in microbiology here in the Garden State.