Welcome to my website, my name is Ella! I am curious about ​about the adaptations of life in various extreme environments ​on Earth, connecting to the fields of geomicrobiology and ​astrobiology. As a biologist, I see an opportunity to contribute ​my unique background to the field and help holistically ​understand how to Earths system. This can allow further ​insight into how life could be thriving on other planets and ​moons, and possibly biotechnological implications in ​bioremediation of contaminated sites.

EDUCATION & Experience

Ella E. Cardoza

EDUCATION

M.Sc. Environmental Geoscience - College of ​Natural Science, Michigan State University, ​East Lansing, MI, Aug 2024 - May 2026.

B.Sc. Integrative Biology, minor in ​Environment and Sustainability Studies - ​College of Natural Science, Michigan State ​University, East Lansing, MI, Sept 2020 - Apr ​2024.

High School Diploma - Foothill High School, ​Santa Ana, CA, Sept 2016 - June 2020.

EXPERIENCE

ITEP Climate Change Intern, Alaska ​Community Action on Toxics (ACAT), hosted ​by Institute for Tribal Environmental ​Professionals (ITEP) at Northern Arizona ​University, May 2024 – Aug 2024.

Undergraduate Research Assistant, ​Department of Earth and Environmental ​Sciences, Michigan State University, Aug ​2022 – May 2024.

Undergraduate Learning Assistant, ​Department of Earth and Environmental ​Sciences, Michigan State University, Jan ​2023 – May 2023.

Research Gate

I am interested in studying the microbial ecology and adaptations of ​extremophiles on Earth. Studying these microbes in analog ​environments here on Earth could create fundamental microbial ​connections to potential biosignatures and life detection in the ​future. In addition, extremophile research can lead to biotechnical ​advancements in renewable energy and bioremediation. I hope to ​apply biology-centric principles to my future career and become a ​next-generation astrobiologist and/or geomicrobiologist.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

High Pressure Life on Ocean Worlds, Sept 2022 to Present Schrenk ​Lab at MSU .

• Conducted high pressure microbiology experiments using ​piezophilic sulfate-reducing microbes.
  
• Used epifluorescence microscopy, spectrophotometry, and ​molecular biology approaches to characterize microbial adaptations ​to high pressure.
  
• Contributed to a project sponsored by the NASA Exobiology ​Program (PI’s Picard and Schrenk).
  
• Determined with applications to proteomic biosignatures that may ​be applied in astrobiological studies on Ocean Worlds and ​astrobiology.
  

Extremophiles and Astrobiology, Sept 2022 to Dec 2023.

• Conducted a comprehensive literature review under the direction of ​Dr. Louise Mead (Integrative Biology Department).
  
• Drafted a manuscript for future publication in Astrobiology journal.
  

Bioremediation and Climate Change, May 2024 - Aug 2024 at ACAT.

• Pending research project and projections...
  

Awards & ​Presentations

AWARDS

Faculty-Led (by Dr. Matthew Schrenk) ​Undergraduate Fellowship, Michigan ​Space Grant Consortium, 2023. (High ​Pressure Microbiology Project).

Participated as an intern in the NSF ​sponsored Communities and Future ​Earth Sciences (GeoCaFES) program, ​2023.

PRESENTATIONS

Cardoza, EE, Schrenk, MO, Picard, A, Nunn, B, ​Graham, C. (2024). Understanding biological ​adaptations to Ocean World analog conditions by ​studying the proteomic response of ​Maridesulfovibrio hydrothermalis to high pressure. ​University Undergraduate Research and Arts ​Forum, East Lansing, MI (poster).

Cardoza, EE, Schrenk, MO, Picard, A, Nunn, B, ​Graham, C. (2024). Understanding biological ​adaptations to Ocean World analog conditions by ​studying the proteomic response of ​Maridesulfovibrio hydrothermalis to high pressure. ​Astrobiology Science Conference, Providence RI ​(talk).

I am interested in research collaborations and creating career ​connections, so feel free to reach out if you are interested in my work ​or future work! Additionally, I am happy to answer any other ​questions you may have.

Below are links to the Schrenk Geomicrobiology Lab Website and ​Instagram, and the MSU Astrobiology Club’s (I’m Co-President!) ​Instagram.

Schrenk Geomicro

Lab Website

Schrenk Geomicro

Lab Instagram

MSU Astrobiology ​Instagram