M. Sc. Fatima Ruiz Blas
Function and Responsibilities:
I am currently a doctoral student in the Biometarchive project at GFZ Potsdam, where I engage in laboratory work focused on genomics and metagenomics. My role also involves writing scientific papers and presenting our findings at various conferences. The Biometarchive project aims to comprehensively characterize the subsurface biosphere of Lake Towuti, Indonesia, by analyzing microbial diversity, abundance, and metabolic functions through metagenomic data. This research provides insights into biogeochemical cycles and organic matter remineralization during sediment burial.
Education:
Prior to joining GFZ, I completed my internship, bachelor, and master theses at the Astrobiology Centre in Spain (Centro de Astrobiología, CAB). During this time, I specialized in genomics, metagenomics, and proteomics, working on projects that explored microbial life in extreme environments and contributed to our understanding of early life processes on Earth. I hold a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the Universidad de Alcalá (UAH) and a master's degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biomedicine from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM).
Projects:
BioMetArchive: https://www.gfz-potsdam.de/en/section/geomicrobiology/projects/biometarchive