I am currently searching for postdoctoral positions for 2025. If you are interested in my research and want to chat further please email me at brianne.r.palmer [at] gmail.com. I am willing to collaborate on proposals for the Smith Fellowship (US), the Marie Currie Fellowship (EU), or any applicable postdoc fellowship opportunities.
Current Position
I am a postdoc at the University of Bonn in Geoscience. Our interdisciplinary team combines paleontologists, mineralogists, and environmental microbiologists (like me!) to understand the taphonomic biases in the fossil record. Why do some organisms become fossils while others do not?
My primary role is to run experiments with extant plants to determine the role of microorganisms in plant decay and preservation processes which can be extrapolated to understand gaps in the fossil record. I use a combination of tools including next-generation sequencing techniques, bioinformatic analyses (in R and command line), and scanning electron microscopy.
Ph.D. Research
In 2022, I received my Ph.D. in ecology from the JDPE program with San Diego State University and UC Davis. My Ph.D. research focused on understanding how biological soil crusts (biocrusts) recover after fire using field, laboratory, and next-generation sequencing. I am particularly interested in the interaction between the biocrust microbial community and the surrounding vegetation. In the future, I hope to understand how biocrust microbes can be used to facilitate restoration success in grassland and dryland ecosystems.
Previous Research
My previous work includes researching the intersection of aspen genetics and drought response, and working as a technician on a variety of projects in the Intermountain West with Utah State University, NEON, and the Utah Natural Heritage Program.
Current Position
I am a postdoc at the University of Bonn in Geoscience. Our interdisciplinary team combines paleontologists, mineralogists, and environmental microbiologists (like me!) to understand the taphonomic biases in the fossil record. Why do some organisms become fossils while others do not?
My primary role is to run experiments with extant plants to determine the role of microorganisms in plant decay and preservation processes which can be extrapolated to understand gaps in the fossil record. I use a combination of tools including next-generation sequencing techniques, bioinformatic analyses (in R and command line), and scanning electron microscopy.
Ph.D. Research
In 2022, I received my Ph.D. in ecology from the JDPE program with San Diego State University and UC Davis. My Ph.D. research focused on understanding how biological soil crusts (biocrusts) recover after fire using field, laboratory, and next-generation sequencing. I am particularly interested in the interaction between the biocrust microbial community and the surrounding vegetation. In the future, I hope to understand how biocrust microbes can be used to facilitate restoration success in grassland and dryland ecosystems.
Previous Research
My previous work includes researching the intersection of aspen genetics and drought response, and working as a technician on a variety of projects in the Intermountain West with Utah State University, NEON, and the Utah Natural Heritage Program.