Engy Ahmed
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Engy Ahmed Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: +46 8 16 77 25 |
| I am a PhD student in Geochemistry and also a member in Stockholm University Astrobiology Centre. I am very interested in astrobiology because it seems to be the bridge between the different natural sciences by making collaboration between physicists, biologists, astronomers and chemists.
My PhD project titled “Siderophore production and function in the geosphere: experimental studies and field measurements of mineral weathering and biomineralization”. Microorganisms are known to affect mineral weathering rates and the mobilization of essential and toxic metals in the environment. They can release strong organic complex chelators, so-called siderophores, which have a high affinity for metals. Siderophores have a critical role in regulating biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial and marine systems, but the details of the molecular-scale processes and their effect on macroscale biogeochemical cycling are not well established. This study aims at understanding the relationships between siderophore production and function and their influence on biochemically induced weathering and biomineralisation of iron-bearing minerals like magnetite in terrestrial and marine environments. Field and experimental studies will be conducted to determine siderophore composition and concentration, and their relationship to microbial community composition and activity. |
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