Professor Dr. Jared Leadbetter

Biography

Jared R. Leadbetter is a Professor in Environmental Microbiology at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He has a B.S. from Goucher College, obtained in 1991, and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University, awarded in 1997. Leadbetter began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at Caltech from 2000 to 2006, then progressed to Associate Professor from 2006 to 2010, and has been a Professor since 2010. His research focuses on interspecies microbial interactions, particularly in the context of lignocellulose conversion and complex microbial communities found in termite guts. He is also interested in biodegradation and the role of bacterial signaling molecules, such as acyl-homoserine lactones, in these processes. His work aims to uncover the genetic underpinnings of wood digestion, contributing to a deeper understanding of microbial diversity and fermentation processes.

Research Interests

Experience