Dr. Emerson’s research is focused in the area of geomicrobiology – the study of microbes that literally give life to some of Earth’s most important geological processes. Specifically, he studies oxygen-dependent iron-oxidizing bacteria in environments as varied as undersea volcanoes, coastal marine sediments, freshwater wetlands, and the Arctic tundra. The fundamental reasons for these studies range from understanding the potential for these organisms to exist on other planets, to learning how they extract energy from iron, to analyzing their in influence on other biogeochemical cycles that affect greenhouse gas emissions. The practical implications of his work have to do with the beneficial potential of these microbes for removing pollutants from groundwater, mitigating their nuisance potential as agents of biofouling and corrosion in water distribution systems, as well as the use of biogenic iron oxides in a variety of applications. He is interested in applying the basic knowledge his laboratory has gained toward solving applied problems, and does consulting for industry. He has recently become involved in utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) as an approach to link all life living in an ecosystem.