Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Ph.D. in Microbiology, 2006
The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA. B.S. in Environmental Chemistry, 2000
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA. B.A. in Russian Literature, 1995
Research Experience
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, 2008-present
Senior Research Associate, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR, 2007-2008
Postdoctoral Fellow, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 2006-2007
Research Assistant, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 2001-2006
Teaching Experience
Faculty, Microbial Diversity Course, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, Summer 2011
Instructor, Molecular Microbial Ecology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, Spring 2011
Instructor, Microbiology, Appalachian State University (ASU), Boone, NC, 2010-present
Instructor, Microbiology Laboratory, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, 2008-present
Instructor, Microbial Ecology Discussion Course, OHSU, Portland, OR, 2008
Co-Instructor, Environmental & Biomolecular History of the Earth, OHSU, Portland, OR, 2006-2007
Instructor, Microbiology Discussion Courses, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 2004 & 2006
Small Group Leader and TA, General Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 2001-2005
TA, Advanced Microbiology Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 2002
Grants and Awards
North Carolina Space Grant's New Principal Investigators Award, NC State University, 2011
GRAM Award, Appalachian State University, 2010-2012
University Research Council Grant, Appalachian State University, 2008 & 2010
External Scholars Grant, University College, Appalachian State University, 2008
NSF RIDGE 2000 Fellowship, Ocean Sciences, National Science Foundation, 2007 & 2009
Environmental Research Grant, Cornell Center for the Environment, Cornell University (CU), 2005
Research Grant, NSF IGERT in Biogeochemistry and Environmental Biocomplexity, CU, 2005
Outstanding Teaching Assistant, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CU, 2003
Research Fellowship, Program in Biogeochemistry and Environmental Change, CU, 2001
Professional Service
Ad hoc Reviewer, Soil Sci Soc Am J, FEMS Microbiol Ecol, and others, 2010-present
Editorial Board, KBM Journal of Microbiology, ISSN 1949-1395, Fayetteville, NC, 2010-present
Ad hoc Reviewer, NSF proposals, Ocean Sciences, OTIC; and DEB Ecosystem Science, 2009-present
Advising Committee, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, 2009-present
Scholarship Committee, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, 2008-present
Search Committee, Non-tenure-track laboratory instructor, ASU, 2010-present
Search Committee, Tenure-track professor, Microbiology for nursing students, ASU, 2009
Seminar Committee, Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction, OHSU, 2007-2008
Admissions Committee, Department of Microbiology, Cornell University (CU), Ithaca, NY, 2004
Treasurer, Program in Biogeochemistry and Environmental Biocomplexity, CU, Ithaca, NY, 2003-2004
Publications and Presentations (Bräuer’s advisees or co-advisees are denoted by an asterisk*)
Peer-Reviewed Publications and Abstracts:
- Sakai S, Ehara M, Tseng I-C, Yamaguchi T, Bräuer SL, Cadillo-Quiroz H, Zinder SH and Imachi H. Methanolinea mesophila, sp. nov., a hydrogenotrophic methanogen isolated from a rice field in Taiwan, and proposal of the new archaeal family Methanoregulaceae fam. nov. within the order Methanomicrobiales. Submitted to International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.
- Johnson KW*, Carmichael MJ*, McDonald W*, Rose N*, Pitchford J, Windelspecht M, Karatan E, and Bräuer SL. 2011. Increased abundance of Gallionella spp., Leptothrix spp. and total bacteria in response to enhanced Mn and Fe concentrations in a disturbed southern Appalachian high elevation riparian wetland. Geomicrobiology Journal, accepted 1/10/11.
- Bräuer SL, Adams C*, Kranzler K*, Murphy D, Xu M*, Zuber P, Simon HM, Baptista AM and Tebo BM. 2011. Culturable Rhodobacter and Shewanella species are abundant in estuarine turbidity maxima of the Columbia River, Environmental Microbiology 13(3): 589–603.
- Bräuer SL, Cadillo Quiroz H, Ward RJ, Yavitt JB, and Zinder SH. 2011. Methanoregula boonei strain 6A8, gen. nov., sp. nov., an acidiphilic methanogen isolated from an acidic peat bog. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 61: 45-52.
- Roble LA, Carmichael MJ*, Carmichael SK, and Bräuer SL. 2010. Geomicrobiology of cave Mn oxide deposits in Eastern Tennessee, The Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 42(1):192.
- Popa R, Popa R, Mashall MJ, Nguyen H, Tebo, BM, Bräuer SL. 2009. Limitations and benefits of ARISA intra-genomic diversity fingerprinting, Journal of Microbiological Methods 78 (2):111-118.
- Anderson CR, Chu M-L, Davis RE, Dick GJ, Cho J-C, Bräuer SL, and Tebo BM. 2009. Aurantimonas manganoxydans, sp. nov. and Aurantimonas litoralis, sp. nov.: Mn(II)-oxidizing representatives of a globally distributed clade of alpha-Proteobacteria from the order Rhizobiales. Geomicrobiology Journal 26:189-198.
- Bräuer SL, Yashiro E, Ueno N*, Yavitt JB, and Zinder SH. 2006. Characterization of acid-tolerant H2/CO2-utilizing methanogenic enrichment cultures from an acidic peat bog. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 57(2):206-216.
- Bräuer SL, Yashiro E, Cadillo Quiroz H, Yavitt JB, and Zinder SH. 2006. Isolation of a novel acidiphilic methanogen from an acidic peat bog. Nature 442:192-194.
- Cadillo Quiroz H, Bräuer SL, Yashiro E, Sun C*, Yavitt JB, and Zinder SH. 2006. Vertical profiles of methanogens in two contrasting acidic peatlands in central New York State, USA. Environmental Microbiology 8(8):1428-1440.
- Bräuer SL, Yavitt JB, and Zinder SH. 2004. Methanogenesis in McLean Bog, an acidic peat bog in upstate New York: stimulation by H2/CO2 in the presence of rifampicin, or by low concentrations of acetate. Geomicrobiology Journal 21(7):433-443.
Manuscripts in Preparation:
- Bräuer SL, Goodson N*, Kranzler K*, Murphy D*, Simon HM, Baptista AM, and Tebo BM. Potential carbon fixation in the Columbia River’s estuarine turbidity maxima.
- Cadillo-Quiroz H, Bräuer SL, Goodson N*, Yavitt JB, and Zinder SH. Novel Methanobacterium Strains from Northern Temperate and Boreal Peatlands.
- Cadillo-Quiroz H, Bräuer SL, Podell S, Yavitt JB, and Zinder SH. Comparative genomics of the novel family Methanoregulaceae: adaptations and novel functions.
- Carmichael MJ*, Carmichael SK, Anderson Z, Roble LA*, and Bräuer SL. Geomicrobiology of Mn oxide deposits in eastern Tennessee caves.
Selected Conference Presentations:
- Carmichael MJ*, Carmichael SK, Craig T*, Strom A*, Galior K*, Roble LA*, and Bräuer SL. 2011. Microbial communities associated with the biomineralization of Mn oxides in subterranean karst environments of the southern Appalachians. Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations. Annual Meeting, UNC-Chapel Hill, NC.
- Carmichael MJ*, Carmichael SK, Roble LA*, and Bräuer SL. 2011. Mn-oxide Deposits in Tennessee Cave Systems Harbor Diverse and Unique Microbial Communities. American Society of Microbiology. Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
- Carmichael MJ*, Carmichael SK, Roble LA*, and Bräuer SL. 2010. Geomicrobiology of Mn oxide deposits in eastern Tennessee caves. Association of Southeastern Biologists. Annual Meeting, Ashville, NC.
- DeLorenzo S*, Tebo BM, Bräuer SL, Herfort L, Needoba JA, Zuber P. 2010. The role of anaplerotic carbon fixation in heterotrophic bacteria as a survival mechanism in hypoxic waters. 13th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. Seattle, WA.
- Bräuer SL, Anitori RP, Davis R, Carmichael MJ*, Smythe W, Tebo BM. 2010. A peptide-based probe for the capture of manganese oxides and associated microorganisms. 13th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. Seattle, WA.
- Carmichael MJ*, Tebo BM, and Bräuer SL. 2009. Peptide-based probe capture of Mn oxides and associated bacteria in various environments including deep-sea samples near Loihi Seamount, Hawaii, and Carter Salt Peter, Tennessee. North Carolina Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, Annual Meeting, NC Central University, Durham, NC.
- Adams C, Kranzler K*, Murphy D*, Simon HM, Tebo BM, and Bräuer SL. 2009. Rhodobacter species are important catalysts of manganese(II) oxidation in the Columbia River Estuary, American Society for Microbiology, 109th General Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.
- Johnson KW*, Karatan E, Windelspecht M, and Bräuer SL. 2008. Bacterial Community Analysis of a High Altitude Wetland Disturbed by Iron and Manganese. North Carolina Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, Annual Meeting, Guilford College, Greensboro, NC.
- Bräuer SL, Cadillo-Quiroz H, Podell S, Tebo BM, Yavitt JB, and Zinder SH. 2007. The first genome sequence data for acidiphilic methanogens. Metagenomics Conference, San Diego, CA.
- Bräuer SL, Yavitt JB, and Zinder SH. 2006. Characterization of Candidatus ‘Methanoregula boonei strain 6A8’ a novel acidophilic methanogen from an acidic peat bog, Gordon Research Conference in Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry, Andover, NH.
Invited & Selected Lectures (§Abstract selected for an oral presentation):
- Bräuer SL. 2010. No time to wallow in the mire: methane in peat soils, Department of Soil Science, Invited Seminar, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. (March 10, 2010).
- Bräuer SL. 2010. Microbial biogeochemistry of manganese, Department of Microbiology, Invited Seminar, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. (February 25, 2010).
- Bräuer SL, Kranzler K*, and Tebo, B. 2007. Carbon and manganese cycling in the Columbia River’s estuarine turbidity maxima, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA§.
- Bräuer SL, Yashiro E, Cadillo-Quiroz H, Yavitt JB, and Zinder SH. 2006. Characterization of Candidatus ‘Methanoregula boonei strain 6A8’, a novel acidiphilic methanogen from an acidic peat bog, Chemistry Department, Pomona College, Claremont, CA.
- Bräuer SL, Yashiro E, Cadillo-Quiroz H, Yavitt JB, and Zinder. 2005. Isolation of a novel acidiphilic methanogen from an acidic peat bog, Symposium in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Community Service and Volunteer Experience
Mentor of Watauga High School Student, ASU, Boone, NC, 2010-present
Community Outreach Presenter, Local Cave Grottoes, Johnson City, TN, 2010-present
Volunteer Instructor, Saturday Academy, Portland, OR, 2007-2008
Volunteer Instructor, Hillsboro School District, Hillsboro, OR, 2007
Master Composter, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, NY, 2002-2005
Memberships and Affiliations
Sigma Xi
American Society for Microbiology
National Speleological Society
International Symposium on Microbial Ecology
Cornell University Program in Biogeochemistry and Environmental Biocomplexity
American Geophysical Union
Geological Society of America
High School Students Advised
Marlie Shelton, Culturing Mn(II) oxidizers 2010-present
Undergraduates Advised
Bryan Zorn, Molecular analyses of fungal communities in caves, 2011-present
Zachary Anderson, Culturing Mn(II) oxidizers and assisting with molecular techniques, 2010-present
Noah Goodson, Characterization of methanogenic archea, and qPCR analyses, 2010-present
Amanda Strom, Culturing Mn(II) oxidizers and assisting with molecular techniques, 2010-present
Whitney McDonald and Natalie Rose, Quantitative real-time PCR of wetland and cave samples, as well as culturing and clone libraries, 2009-2010
Jared Butler, High-throughput culturing, and cloning from Karst samples, 2009-2010
Kornelia Gailor, Culturing manganese oxidizers, 2009
Clare Adams, Quantifying Rhodobacter populations in the Columbia River Estuary, 2008-2009
Kira Kranzler, Culturing manganese oxidizers, creating clone libraries of RuBisCO genes, and assisting with biogeochemical analyses as part of an NSF Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (REU), Summer 2007
Criag Bierle, Analyzing methanogenic rates, culturing cellulolytic and anaerobic bacteria, and using molecular techniques to characterize bacteria in peat, 2002-2006
Seppo Aro, Analyzing methanogenic rates and culturing acetogens, 2004-2006
Nori Ueno, Culturing acetogens and characterizing Firimicutes strain TR1, 2004-2005
Vikram Mathrani, Culturing N2 fixing microorganisms, 2002-2003
Thesis Committees Chaired
Ashley Hawkins, Methanogenic archeaea in high elevation peat-forming wetlands, 2010-present
Mary Jane Carmichael, Molecular analyses of Mn oxides and associated bacteria, 2009-present
Graduates Co-advised (either formally or informally)
Kristin W. Johnson, Mn- and Fe-oxidizing bacteria of a disturbed high elevation wetland, 2008-2009
Mouzhong Xu, Function gene analyses of Mn-oxidizing bacteria; semester rotational student, 2008
Suzanne DeLorenzo, Stable isotope probing in the Columbia River plume, 2007-2008