Aida E Jimenez-Esquilin, Ph.D.

I am an applied microbial ecologist specializing in soil, plant-associated, and wastewater microbiomes for antibiotic discovery and AMR Surveillance. I have spent the past 16 years teaching biology and microbiology in both private and public universities in WV, with extensive experience mentoring undergraduate researchers. Currently, I lead undergraduate research on topics including the microbiome of the parasitic plant Epifagus virginiana and of fatbergs in sewer systems. My projects integrate field, laboratory, and bioinformatics approaches to address both fundamental and applied questions environmental quality. In addition to my environmental microbiology work, I also conduct research in STEM education, focusing on STEM identity development, retention, and student success in rural primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs). This work aims to create inclusive, supportive learning environments that foster persistence in STEM fields.

I earned a Ph.D. in Soil Science (Soil Microbiology) from Colorado State University, an M.S. in Biology (Environmental Microbiology) from the University of Colorado, Denver, and a B.S. with honors in Molecular Biology from the University of Providence in MT. My doctoral research, conducted in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, examined the resistance and resilience of soil microbial communities to beneficial and detrimental anthropogenic fire disturbances, linking microbial community structure and function to ecosystem recovery. As a postdoctoral research associate at the USDA-ARS Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center, I expanded this work to include molecular biology aspects of soil microbial ecology, with applications to soil health in silvo-pastoral systems and constructed soils, providing insight into sustainable agricultural and environmental practices.

I am originally from Canovanas, Puerto Rico and currently live in Beckley, WV, with my artist husband and five cats. I enjoy the arts whether making, collecting, and otherwise supporting them as well as reading and spending quality time with family and friends.

Courses

• General Biology
• BIOL 111/111L, General Biology
• BIOL 225, Biology Methods
• BIOL 416/416L, Cell Biology
• CHEM 451, Biochemistry

Specialty

• BIOL 240/240L, General Microbiology
• AEM 401/401L, Environmental Microbiology
• BIOL 497, Research in Applied Microbiology

Concentration

• Soil Microbiology
• Environmental Microbiology
• Microbial Ecology

Research Interests

Microbiomes, soil, fatbergs, Epifagus, antibiotic production, soil health, antibiotic resistance genes.

I lead undergraduate research projects exploring how microbial communities interact with or respond to their plant hosts or their environment, with a focus on microbiomes in unusual and impacted ecosystems. Current work includes characterizing the microbiome of the parasitic plant Epifagus virginiana to discover microbes that produce novel antibiotics and other bioactive compounds; tracking the fate of antibiotic resistance genes in natural and urban environments and uncovering microbial processes in unusual habitats, such as the formation and breakdown of fatbergs in sewer systems; and investigating the impacts of invasive plants on soil microbial communities and soil health.

I only accept motivated students interested in environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, or bioinformatics. Students in my group gain hands-on experience in field sampling, lab techniques (DNA extraction, sequencing, culture work), bioinformatics, and data analysis, as well as opportunities to present at conferences and contribute to publications. Whether in the lab, the field, or behind a computer, our projects combine curiosity-driven science with real-world environmental challenges.

Research with Dr. Jimenez

“The lab work is probably the most important thing I have gained since that’s my future career path, and not only will it look good on a resume, but I have genuinely just gotten better at it, or at least more efficient with time. Plus, the two conferences I’ve attended have given me much more experience than I ever had in presenting under a more formal setting, and thus slightly more confidence, which is quite helpful.”
— Logan Waugh, Y1 MS student in WVU MLS program

“It really helps to gain experience for our futures.”
— Marianna Oyola

“Especially since it’s such a small school. I’m really grateful for the quality of this opportunity.”
— Nevaeh Wooding