Siv Watkins

Siv is an environmental microbiologist: particularly interested in bacteriophages and bacteria found in freshwater, wastewater, soils - and the trials and tribulations associated with examining them creatively. She came to NMT via postdoctoral positions at the University of Portsmouth (PIs: Paul Hayes/Joy Watts) and Loyola University Chicago (PI: Catherine Putonti), and as an Associate Research Scientist with the New Mexico Consortium in Los Alamos. Originally from the UK, she has also worked in industry and as a technician. Siv is a strong advocate of undergraduate research, enabling success in science regardless of background or social status, and awareness of mental health issues in academia and beyond. In the biology dept at Tech she is responsible for teaching Genetics, Environmental Microbiology, Virology, Viral Discovery and an upper level/grad class in Metagenomics. You can learn more at watkinslab.weebly.com.

Siv co-founded the 11BIOMICS initiative with her partner, Jeff, a clinical therapist specializing in harm reduction and helping people struggling with addiction. Siv and Jeff are passionate about supporting the cause in providing as many options to those suffering from trauma as possible. This is where cannabis and community support comes in. You can read more about that at 11BIOMICS.com.

Siv loves the desert, loves hiking, loves music, loves to travel. When she has spare time, she does dangerous things with horses in the desert, and nerds out over new black and death metal. Her favorite Black Sabbath album is 'Black Sabbath'. Her favorite Iron Maiden album is 'Powerslave'. She does not like centipedes.

October 2017