Geobiology: Past, Present and Future

The Geobiology GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.

Geobiology investigates the co-evolution and interdependencies of life and Earth. This knowledge can be applied to solving societal problems and searching for life beyond Earth. We explore the role of microbes and multicellular life in geochemical transformations, the environmental factors that test the limits of microbial activity, the signals of this biological activity in the geologic records, and the potential for geobiological systems to mitigate anthropogenic problems and inform astrobiology. The major goal of the conference is to facilitate interactions among different sub-disciplines such as geochemistry, geomicrobiology, paleontology, sedimentology, astrobiology, environmental/biological engineering, and Earth system modeling and bring them together to understand the ongoing co-evolution of life and the environment. We invite contributions that describe current questions and challenges in the field, present novel tools, techniques and approaches, or uncover novel insights about the past and the present, and how they inform our future.