Ana Camila Gonzalez-Nayeck

Ana’s PhD research deals with the carbon isotopic composition of organic compounds in microbial mats. Microbial mats were likely more prevalent in the Proterozoic and early Paleozoic, but current understanding of biological carbon isotope effects is primarily based on studies of planktonic systems. Ana’s research focuses on modern microbial mats with the goal of better contextualizing the geologic carbon isotope record of the Proterozoic and early Paleozoic Earth. 

Before starting her PhD at Harvard, Ana was an undergraduate student at Columbia University and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. When she isn't measuring tiny amounts of carbon into tiny tin capsules, Ana is either working towards making EPS more welcoming to underrepresented scientists as a member of the EPS Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee, listening in on friendly debates as a member of the Harvard Origins of Life Graduate Consortium, or playing with her two dogs.