Mar Schmidt
They/Them
I am non-binary, queer, bi-/pan-sexual, and neurodivergent and I am a microbial ecologist and limnologist.//
I’m Mar (rhymes with “car” or like “sea” in Spanish) and I am an Assistant Professor at Cornell University in the Department of Microbiology. My lab’s research is focused on how climate change impacts microbial communities in freshwater ecosystems. We have projects evaluating changes in particulate matter, renewable energy—like floating solar panels, stratification patterns, and other climate change parameters on freshwater microorganisms. We are also dedicated to understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of microbial communities in the Great Lakes.
In my free time, I like to run far on trails, walk my dog with beautiful views of Ithaca, and bake delicious treats for my friends, lab, and family.