Garden State Microbiome
Garden State Microbiome
Podcast Description
The Garden State Microbiome explores New Jersey’s rich microbiology scene across academia, industry, and government. Meet the microbiologists driving discoveries at Rutgers, Princeton, Center for Discovery & Innovation, Rowan, Wm Paterson, Montclair State, Seton Hall, NJIT, and biotech giants like Merck, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers, and J&J. In New Jersey, microbiology connects healthcare, environment, and biotech in powerful ways. Join us in discovering why it’s a small state with a big microbiology—brought to you by the Theobald Smith Society, the NJ branch of the American Society for Microbiology
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show explores various themes within microbiology, including marine microbiology, environmental impacts, and healthcare innovations, with specific episodes detailing topics like microbial life in coastal systems, the role of microbes in biogeochemical cycles, and the impact of climate change on microbiomes.
The Garden State Microbiome explores New Jersey’s rich microbiology scene across academia, industry, and government. Meet the microbiologists driving discoveries at Rutgers, Princeton, Center for Discovery & Innovation, Rowan, Wm Paterson, Montclair State, Seton Hall, NJIT, and biotech giants like Merck, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers, and J&J. In New Jersey, microbiology connects healthcare, environment, and biotech in powerful ways. Join us in discovering why it’s a small state with a big microbiology—brought to you by the Theobald Smith Society, the NJ branch of the American Society for Microbiology
Max Häggblom is the Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at Rutgers University. He is an internationally recognized leader in environmental microbiology.
Originally from Finland, Dr. Häggblom earned his Ph.D. from the University of Helsinki before making his mark in the U.S., first at New York University and later at Rutgers, where he has been a key faculty member since 1993. His research focuses on microbial biodegradation and biotransformation of environmental pollutants—work that is critical for understanding and mitigating the impact of toxic compounds in soil and water.
Dr. Häggblom’s expertise extends from Arctictundra microbiomes to industrial contamination sites, exploring how bacteria can help clean up pollutants such as chlorinated chemicals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and even pharmaceutical residues. His work has been widelypublished and he has received numerous accolades, including election as a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was the 2010 Theobald Smith Society Honorary Waksman Lecturer and a past president of the society.
Beyond research, Dr. Häggblom is a dedicated educator and mentor – shaping the next generation of microbiologists through his leadership at Rutgers and his editorial role as Chief Editor of FEMS Microbiology Ecology. His passion for microbial ecology has taken him around the world collaborating with scientists in China, Finland, and beyond.
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