SESSION
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Wed, May 20, 2026
Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino, Celebrity Foyer
Stress Responses of Chihuahuan Desert Soil Cyanobacteria to Heat
Cyanobacteria are essential to dryland ecosystems because they form biological soil crusts (biocrusts) that help stabilize soil, fix nitrogen, and retain moisture. Global change stressors such as rising temperatures threaten these keystone microorganisms, leading to soil degradation and loss of ecosystem functions. My research investigates how cyanobacteria with contrasting morphological and physiological traits respond to heat stress, providing insights into microbial responses to change. My research aims to identify physiological and morphological traits associated with resistance (maintenance of function during stress) and resilience (capacity for recovery following stress) in biocrust-forming cyanobacteria.