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Geobiology (GRS)

Gordon Research Seminar

Exploring the Dynamics Between Biology and Planetary Change Across Earth’s Past, Present and Future

January 10 - 11, 2026
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GRC Education Requirements: Undergraduates or those who have not obtained a bachelor's degree in science/engineering (or acceptable equivalent) are not eligible to apply to attend Gordon Research Conferences or Seminars.

Chairs and
Ventura Beach Marriott
2055 Harbor Boulevard
Ventura, California, United States
 Venue and Travel Information

Application Information

Applications for this meeting must be submitted by December 13, 2025. Please apply early, as some meetings become oversubscribed (full) before this deadline. If the meeting is oversubscribed, it will be stated here. Note: Applications for oversubscribed meetings will only be considered by the conference chair if more seats become available due to cancellations.

GRS Speaker Abstract Deadline: Although applications will be accepted until the date noted above, any applicants who wish to be considered for an oral presentation should submit their application by October 5, 2025. Please refer to the application instructions in the Conference Description section below for more details (if available).

Conference Description

The Geobiology GRS provides a unique forum for young doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to present their work, discuss new methods, cutting edge ideas, and pre-published data, as well as to build collaborative relationships with their peers. Experienced mentors and trainee moderators will facilitate active participation in scientific discussion to allow all attendees to be engaged participants rather than spectators.

This conference explores the dynamic interactions between Earth’s geosphere and biosphere, tracing their co-evolution across time. From ancient microbial life shaping planetary chemistry to modern environmental change, we examine how biological and geological processes have influenced—and continue to influence—Earth’s changing systems. Through interdisciplinary discussions, we aim to uncover insights into past climate events, biogeochemical cycles, and the resilience of life in extreme environments. By bridging paleontology, geomicrobiology, geochemistry, and planetary science, this event fosters a deeper understanding of Earth's history while informing predictions and solutions for its future in the face of ongoing planetary changes.

Application Instructions

The seminar will feature approximately 10 talks and 2 poster sessions. All attendees are expected to actively participate in the GRS, either by giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster. Therefore, all applications must include an abstract.

The seminar chair will select speakers from abstracts submitted by October 5, 2025. Those applicants who are not chosen for talks and those who apply after the deadline to be considered for an oral presentation will be expected to present a poster. In order to participate, you must submit an application by the date indicated in the Application Information section above.

Related Meeting

This GRS will be held in conjunction with the "Geobiology" Gordon Research Conference (GRC). Those interested in attending both meetings must submit an application for the GRC in addition to an application for the GRS. Refer to the associated GRC program page for more information.

Conference Program

Saturday
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Arrival and Check-in
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Introductory Comments by GRC Staff / Welcome and Introduction from the Chairs
3:45 pm - 4:30 pm
Keynote Session: The Coevolution of the Biosphere and Lithosphere
Discussion Leader:
3:45 pm - 3:50 pm
Introduction by Discussion Leader
3:50 pm - 4:20 pm
"The Carbon Isotopic Consequences of Carbon Allocation in Photosynthetic Organisms"
4:20 pm - 4:30 pm
Discussion
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Poster Session
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Dinner
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Paleontological and Geochemical Insights into the Evolution of Life and the Environment
Discussion Leader:
7:30 pm - 7:35 pm
Introduction by Discussion Leader
7:35 pm - 7:45 pm
"From Sediments to Signposts: The Paleoproterozoic Phosphorus Cycle and Early Earth Oxygenation"
7:45 pm - 7:50 pm
Discussion
7:50 pm - 8:00 pm
"Methane Formation Driven by Reactive Oxygen Species Across All Living Organisms and the Environment"
8:00 pm - 8:05 pm
Discussion
8:05 pm - 8:15 pm
"Insight into Ecological and Taphonomic Variability of Complex Metazoan Ecosystems"
8:15 pm - 8:20 pm
Discussion
8:20 pm - 8:30 pm
"Vase-Shaped Microfossils of the Late Tonian Upper Walcott Member, Chuar Group"
8:30 pm - 8:35 pm
Discussion
8:35 pm - 8:45 pm
"Order of Amino Acid Recruitment into the Genetic Code Resolved by Last Universal Common Ancestor’s Protein Domains"
8:45 pm - 8:50 pm
Discussion
8:50 pm - 9:00 pm
"Microbialite Stable Isotopes Provide New Insights into Environmental Change and Depositional Rates in a Paleogene Lake Basin"
9:00 pm - 9:05 pm
Discussion
9:05 pm - 9:15 pm
"Surface Conformation as a Control on Nickel Bioavailability in a Deep-Sea Hyperthermophilic Methanogen"
9:15 pm - 9:20 pm
Discussion
9:20 pm - 9:30 pm
General Discussion
Sunday
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Breakfast
9:00 am - 11:00 am
How Microbial Processes Shape Our Modern Surroundings
Discussion Leader:
9:00 am - 9:05 am
Introduction by Discussion Leader
9:05 am - 9:15 am
"Microbial Fermentation Sets the Pace of Anaerobic Organic Degradation"
9:15 am - 9:20 am
Discussion
9:20 am - 9:30 am
"A Bioisotopic Model of Microbial Carbon Metabolism for Quantitative Interpretation of Isotopic Signals"
9:30 am - 9:35 am
Discussion
9:35 am - 9:45 am
"Temperature Dependent Carbon Kinetic Isotope Effects (KIEs) of Form I and II Rubiscos"
9:45 am - 9:50 am
Discussion
9:50 am - 10:00 am
"From Tectonics to Antibiotics: How Geology Shapes Innovation in the Microbial World"
10:00 am - 10:05 am
Discussion
10:05 am - 10:15 am
"Mechanisms of OM Burial in the Fjords of Vancouver Island, Canada"
10:15 am - 10:20 am
Discussion
10:20 am - 10:30 am
"The Influence of Microbial Nitrogen Cycling and Subaerial Dissolution on Secondary Speleogenesis in the Caves of Gunung Mulu National Park, Malaysia"
10:30 am - 10:35 am
Discussion
10:35 am - 10:45 am
"Spectral Evidence for Microbial Mat Influence on Tidal Rhythmites"
10:45 am - 10:50 am
Discussion
10:50 am - 11:00 am
General Discussion
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Poster Session
Coffee will be served in the poster area from 11:00 am - 11:30 am
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Geobiology in the Future and Beyond: Applications of Geobiology to Climate Change and Astrobiology
Discussion Leader:
1:30 pm - 1:40 pm
"Signatures of Life in Magnesium Carbonate Minerals"
1:40 pm - 1:45 pm
Discussion
1:45 pm - 1:55 pm
"Coupled CH4, CO2, and N2O Cycling in a Subsurface Serpentinizing System"
1:55 pm - 2:00 pm
Discussion
2:00 pm - 2:10 pm
"Comparative Metagenomic Analysis of Microbial Biofilms in Terrestrial and Marine Serpentinizing Systems: Implications for Astrobiology"
2:10 pm - 2:15 pm
Discussion
2:15 pm - 2:25 pm
"Adaptive Rewiring of Photosynthetic Energy Transfer by Phytoplankton Under Nutrient Limitation"
2:25 pm - 2:30 pm
Discussion
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Evaluation Period
Complete the GRS Evaluation Forms; Election of Future Chair(s)
3:00 pm
Seminar Concludes

Contributors

Gordon Research Conferences

Conference Links

Conference History Geobiology Contribute Financially to This Conference

Poster Information

Poster sessions are an integral part of the our conferences, and offer all conferees an opportunity to discuss their research.

Preparing your GRC poster

Funding Opportunities

Financial assistance is available beginning in 2026 for qualified applicants through the Carl Storm Opportunity Fellowships program.  Learn more.

Conferee Single Room:
$370.00
Conferee Shared Room:
$300.00
Conferee Off-Site:
$205.00
Guest Single Room:
$370.00
Guest Shared Room:
$300.00
Guest Off-Site:
$205.00
Child 4-12 yrs Shared Room:
$151.00
Child 4-12 yrs Off-Site:
$103.00
Child Under 4 yrs Shared Room:
Free
Child Under 4 yrs Off-Site:
Free
Additional Fee Info

Geobiology
January 11 - 16, 2026


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