kcreamer

I am an environmental microbiologist and bioinformatician who deciphers large genomic datasets to reveal the microbial “who” and “what” in dynamic ecosystems. I am passionate about translating our discoveries into tangible environmental solutions by collaborating with interdisciplinary teams that provide the context needed to interpret genomic data and tackle climate change.

Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher in Professor Jill Banfield's lab at UC Berkeley’s Innovative Genomics Institute. I am leading a large, multi-year project focused on soil microbial ecology and carbon sequestration. Using big data– metagenomics– and large-scale field experiments, I work with amazing collaborators to capture vital snapshots of soil microbial communities and understand their functions. Previously, as a marine microbe explorer, I earned my Ph.D. from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego– where I helped discover novel compounds in ocean sediment bacteria, including signaling molecules and antibiotics, and developed tools to study the evolution of microbial biosynthetic machinery responsible for these compounds.

February 2025