B.S., Goucher College, 1991; Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1997. Assistant Professor, Caltech, 2000-06; Associate Professor, 2006-10; Professor, 2010-.
Leadbetter's research program at Caltech focuses on interspecies microbial interactions and has two distinct thrusts. One is lignocellulose conversion by the complex microbial communities present in the guts of termites. The other is the biodegradation of (and related research on) an important class of bacterial signaling molecules, acyl-homoserine lactones.
Research Summary:lignocellulose conversion, biological hydrogen, microbial interactions, fermentation, microbial diversity
Research Website