Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

2002-2008 PhD, “Structure and Function of Microbial Communities Controlling the Fate and Transformation of U(VI) in Radionuclide Contaminated Subsurface Sediments.” Department of Oceanography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. Major Professor: Dr. Joel E. Kostka. Biogeochemical Oceanography.

1998-2002 Bachelor of Arts, Biology, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, Maryland, Undergraduate Research Advisor: Dr. Christopher E. Tanner.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2008-Current Marie Curie Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Institute of Ecology, Aquatic Geomicrobiology.

2004-2008 Research Assistantship, Florida State University. Department of Energy Environmental Remediation Sciences Program.

2007 Guest Scientist at the Friedrich-Schiller University Jena Graduate School for Alteration and Element Mobility at the Microbe-Mineral Interface with Dr. Kirsten Küsel.

2002-2004 Teaching Assistantship, Florida State University (Biological Science I Laboratory and Animal Diversity Laboratory)

1999-2002 Teaching Assistant, St. Mary's College of Maryland (Principles of Biology I and Tropical Marine Biology)

2002 Internship (NSF-REU), Carnegie Institution of Washington Geophysical Laboratory with Dr. Marilyn L. Fogel, Dr. Matthew Wooller and Dr. Ilka C. Feller. Project: Isotopic Signatures of Mangrove Associated Invertebrates

2000-2001 Lab Maintenance Assistant, St. Mary's College of Maryland Coral Reef Wet Lab. Project: Maintenance corals and other invertebrates for coral ecology research.

2001 Lab Assistant, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Piney Point Aquaculture Center. Project: Growth and maintenance of Zostera marina seedlings for Potomac River habitat restoration.

2000-2001 Field Assistant, St. Mary's River Project, St. Mary's College of Maryland Project: Water quality monitoring, SAV transplanting, and environmental education.

2001 Internship (NSF-REU), University of Delaware College of Marine Studies with Dr. Ilka C. Feller and Dr. S. Craig Cary Project: Identification of Sponge Bacterial Symbionts Using Molecular Biology Techniques.

2000 Internship (NSF-REU), Smithsonian Environmental Research Center with Dr. Ilka C. Feller. Project: Organized the All-Hands Meeting of the Tangled Roots Biocomplexity Grant, analyzed data, and participated in forest field research.

PUBLICATIONS

Prakash, O., T. M. Gihring, D. D. Dalton, K.-J. Chin, S. J. Green, D. M. Akob, G. Wanger, and J. E. Kostka. 2009. Geobacter daltonii sp. nov., an iron(III)- and uranium(VI)-reducing bacterium isolated from the shallow subsurface exposed to mixed heavy metal and hydrocarbon contamination. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. In review.

Akob, D. M., H. J. Mills, T. M Gihring, L. Kerkhof, J. W. Stucki, A. S. Anastacío, K.-J.Chin, K. Kusel, A. V. Palumbo, D. B. Watson, and J. E. Kostka. 2008. Functional Diversity and Electron Donor Dependence of Microbial Populations Capable of U(VI) Reduction in Radionuclide-Contaminated Subsurface Sediments. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 74(10): 3159-3170.

Blöthe, M., D. M. Akob, K. Walter, J.E. Kostka, H. L. Drake, and K. Küsel. 2008. Heterogeneity of Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms in coal-mining lake sediments caused by a pH gradient. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 74(4): 1019–1029.

Akob, D. M., H. J. Mills, & J. E. Kostka. 2007. Metabolically active microbial communities in uranium-contaminated subsurface sediments. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 59:95-107.

Diaz, M. C., D. Akob, & C. S. Cary. 2004. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of nitrifying microbes associated with tropical sponges. Proceedings of the 6th International Sponge Conference, Rapallo, Italy, 2002. Bollettino dei Musei e degli Istituti biologici dell'Università di Genova 68: 279–289.

RESEARCH GRANTS

2001 Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research. Subject: Ecology. Title: The role of epibiont sponges and their microbial symbionts in the nutrient limited Rhizophora mangle stands. Institution: St. Mary's College of Maryland.

2001 Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystem Grant. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Title: The role of epibiont sponges and their microbial symbionts in the nutrient limited Rhizophora mangle stands.

PROFESSIONAL HONORS AND AWARDS

2008 Student Travel Fellowship, 3rd Annual ERSP Spring PI Meeting, Lansdowne, VA

2007 Student Travel Fellowship, 2nd Annual ERSP Spring PI Meeting, Lansdowne, VA

2006 Student Travel Fellowship, ERSP Fall PI Meeting, Oak Ridge, TN

2006 Student Travel Fellowship, 1st Annual ERSP Spring PI Meeting, Warrenton, VA

2005 Student Travel Fellowship, NABIR PI Meeting, Warrenton, VA

2003 First Place Award, Poster Presentation, Marine Benthic Ecology Meeting

2002 Dean's List Spring Semester, St. Mary's College of Maryland

2002 Academic Excellence, Multicultural Affairs, St. Mary's College of Maryland

2002 First Place Award, Poster Presentation, AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting

2001 Rho Gamma Chapter Beta Beta Beta, National Biological Honors Society

2000-2002 Research Experience for Undergraduates

MEETING ABSTRACTS

Akob, D. M., S. Bischoff, S. Rothhardt, E.-M. Burkhardt, J. Sitte, and K. Küsel. 2009. Characterization of Iron Cycling Bacteria Controlling the Mobility of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Creek Soil. 109th General Meeting Abstracts American Society for Microbiology, Philadelphia, PA.

Lee, S. H., D. M. Akob, J. E. Kostka, K-J. Chin. 2009. Metabolically Active Prokaryotes in Uranium(VI)-Contaminated in situ Subsurface Sediments. 109th General Meeting Abstracts American Society for Microbiology, Philadelphia, PA.

Green, S. J., D. M. Akob, W. Jun Sul, J. Tiedje, and J. E. Kostka. 2009. Combined Geochemical and Pyrosequencing Community Analysis of a Uranium-contaminated Subsurface Sediment Profile. 109th General Meeting Abstracts American Society for Microbiology, Philadelphia, PA.

Sitte, J., D. Akob, C. Kaufmann, K. Pollok, K. Finster, J. Kostka, F. Langenhorst, and K. Küsel. 2009. Activity and Identification of Sulfate Reducing Prokaryotes in Heavy Metal and Radionuclide Contaminated Creek Soil. Annual Conference of the Association for General and Applied Microbiology (VAAM), Bochum, Germany.

Burkhardt, E.-M., D. M. Akob, S. Bischoff, J. E. Kostka, and K. Küsel. 2009. Analysis of Fe(III)-reducing microbial communities which cause metal mobilization in contaminated creek soils. Annual Conference of the Association for General and Applied Microbiology (VAAM), Bochum, Germany.

Akob, D. M., K.-J. Chin, L. Kerkhof, K. Küsel, D. B. Watson, A. V. Palumbo, and J. E. Kostka. 2008. Targeting the Metabolically Active Iron(III)- and Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria with a High Potential for U(VI) Bioimmobilization in Contaminated Subsurface Sediments. DOE 3rd Annual ERSP Spring PI Meeting, Lansdowne, VA.

Kostka, J. E., H. J. Mills, D. M. Akob, O. Prakash, D. Swofford, L. Kerkhof, K.-J. Chin, M. Keller, J. Elkins, and J. W. Stucki. 2008. Structure and Function of Subsurface Microbial Communities Affecting Radionuclide Transport and Bioimmobilization. DOE 3rd Annual ERSP Spring PI Meeting, Lansdowne, VA.

Akob, D. M., L. Kerkhof, K-J. Chin, K. Küsel, D. B. Watson, A. V. Palumbo, and J. E. Kostka. 2008. Characterization of the Metabolically Active Iron(III)- and Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Uranium(VI) Contaminated Subsurface Sediments Using DNA-SIP Analysis. 108th General Meeting Abstracts American Society for Microbiology, Boston, MA.

Ewald, E.-M., D. M. Akob, J. E. Kostka, J. Sitte, and K. Küsel. 2008. Effect of Iron Reduction on Heavy Metal Mobilization. 108th General Meeting Abstracts American Society for Microbiology, Boston, MA.

Lee, S., D. M. Akob, J. E. Kostka, and K-J. Chin. 2008. Quantification of Functional Gene Expression of Sulfate- and Iron(III)-Reducing Bacteria and Phylogenetic Analysis of Metabolically Active Bacteria in Uranium(VI)-Contaminated Subsurface Sediments. 108th General Meeting Abstracts American Society for Microbiology, Boston, MA.

Mills, H. J., M. Humphrys, D. Akob, T.M. Gihring, J. Delgardio, K.J. Chin, and J.E. Kostka. 2008. Quantification of Functional Gene Expression of Fe(III) and Sulfate Reducing Prokaryotes in Salt Marsh Sediments. ASLO Ocean Sciences Meeting, March 2008.

Kostka, J.E., H. J. Mills, M. Humphrys, D. Akob, and K. Chin. 2007. Metabolically Active Iron- and Sulfate-Reducing Prokaryotes in Shallow Subsurface Sediments. International Workshop on Microbial Life under Extreme Energy Limitations 'The Starving Majority'". Aarhus, Denmark.

Mills, H. J., D. Akob, K. Chin, L. Kerkhof and J. E. Kostka. 2007. Structure and function of microbial communities in radionuclide contaminated subsurface sediments. International Workshop on Microbial Life under Extreme Energy Limitations 'The Starving Majority'". Aarhus, Denmark.

Akob, D. M., H. J. Mills, L. Kerkhof, and J. E. Kostka. 2007. Determination of the metabolically active microbial groups in contaminated ORFRC subsurface sediments using stable isotope probing (SIP). DOE 2st Annual ERSP Spring PI Meeting, Lansdowne, VA.

Palumbo, A. V., C. W. Schadt, C. C. Brandt, M. S. McNeilly, A. S. Madden, H. J. Mills, D. M. Akob, J. R. Tarver, L. A. Fagan, S. Bottomly, S. M. Pfiffner, and J. E. Kostka 2006. Methanol Stimulated Uranium Reduction: Does Community Heterogeneity Matter? Eos Trans. AGU, 87(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract B54B-02.

Akob, D. M., H. J. Mills, L. Kerkhof, and J. E. Kostka. 2006. Determination of the metabolically active microbial groups in contaminated ORFRC subsurface sediments using stable isotope probing (SIP). DOE ERSP Fall PI Meeting, Oak Ridge, TN.

Kostka, J., H. Mills, D. Akob, T. Gihring, L. Kerkhof, K. Chin, J. Stucki, and B. Goodman. 2006. Biostimulation of iron reduction and uranium immobilization: microbial and mineralogical controls. DOE ERSP Fall PI Meeting, Oak Ridge, TN.

Palumbo, A., C. Schadt, C. Brandt, M. McNeilly, A. Madden, H. Mills, D. Akob, L. Fagan, S. Bottomly, S. Pfiffner and J. Kostka. 2006. An Integrated Assessment of Geochemical and Community Structure Determinants of Metal Reduction Rates in Subsurface Sediments. DOE ERSP Fall PI Meeting, Oak Ridge, TN.

Mills, H. J., D. Akob, E. Hunter, S. Winch, L. Kerkhof, K.-J. Chin, and J. E. Kostka, 2006. Molecular analysis of understudied microbial communities in subsurface and permeable sandy sediments. Integrated Ocean Drilling Program/ Joint Oceanographic Institutes Workshop on Subseafloor Life, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Akob, D. M., H. J. Mills, T. M. Gihring, L. Kerkhof, and J. E. Kostka. 2006. Structure and function of metal- and nitrate-reducing microbial communities in subsurface sediments contaminated with radionuclides. 106th General Meeting Abstracts American Society for Microbiology, Orlando, FL.

Palumbo, A. V., C. C. Brandt, S. M. Pfiffner, L. A. Fagan, A. S. Madden, T. Phelps, J. C. Schryver, M. S. McNeilly, C. W. Schadt, J. R. Tarver, S. Bottomly, H. J. Mills, D. M. Akob, J. E. Kostka. 2006. Influence of Geochemistry and Microbial Community Structure on Metal Reduction Rates. DOE 1st Annual ERSP PI Meeting, Warrenton, VA.

Kostka, J. E., H. J. Mills, D. M. Akob, T. Gihring, J. W. Stucki, B. A. Goodman, and L. Kerkhof. 2006. Biostimulation of iron reduction and uranium immobilization: Microbial and mineralogical controls. DOE 1st Annual ERSP PI Meeting, Warrenton, VA.

Akob, D. M., H. J. Mills, L. Kerkhof, T. M. Gihring, and J. E. Kostka. 2006. Structure and function of metal- and nitrate-reducing microbial communities in the FRC subsurface. DOE 1st Annual ERSP PI Meeting, Warrenton, VA.

Akob, D. M., T. M. Gihring and J. E. Kostka. 2005. Microbial activity and community composition in microcosms of FRC Area 2 uranium contaminated subsurface sediment and groundwater. DOE NABIR Oak Ridge Field Research Center Workshop, Oak Ridge, TN.

Mills, H. J., D. M. Akob, L. Petrie-Edwards, T. M. Gihring, and J. E. Kostka. 2005. Metabolically-active microbial communities in acidic uranium-contaminated subsurface sediments. DOE NABIR Oak Ridge Field Research Center Workshop, Oak Ridge, TN.

Mills, H. J., D. M. Akob, L. Petrie-Edwards, T. M. Gihring, and J. E. Kostka. 2005. Metabolically active microbial communities in acidic uranium-contaminated subsurface sediments. EC/US Taskforce on Biotechnology and Bioremediation 10th year anniversary meeting. Brussels, Belgium.

Gihring, T. M., L., Edwards, M. E. Dollhopf, D. M. Akob, and J.E. Kostka. 2005. The isolation and characterization of novel, metal-reducing microorganisms from uranium- and nitrate- contaminated Subsurface Sediments. 105th General Meeting Abstracts American Society for Microbiology, Atlanta, GA.

Akob, D. M., H. J. Mills, L. Petrie-Edwards, and J. E. Kostka. 2005. The “active” microbial communities found in acidic uranium-contaminated subsurface sediments. 105th General Meeting Abstracts American Society for Microbiology, Atlanta, GA.

Akob, D. M., H. J. Mills, L. Petrie-Edwards, D. L. Balkwill and J. E. Kostka. 2005. Metabolically active microbial communities in acidic uranium-contaminated subsurface sediments. DOE NABIR PI Meeting, Warrenton, VA.

Akob, D. M., M. L. Fogel, and M. J. Wooller. 2003. Determining the diet of mangrove invertebrates using stable isotope analysis. Marine Benthic Ecology Meeting, Groton, CT

Akob, D. M. and I. C. Feller. 2002. The role of epibiont sponges and their microbial symbionts in nutrient limited Rhizophora mangle stands. 6th International Sponge Conference, Rapallo, Italy.

Diaz, M. C., D. Akob, and C. S. Cary. 2004. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of nitrifying microbes associated with tropical sponges. 6th International Sponge Conference, Rapallo, Italy.

Akob, D. M. and I. C. Feller. 2002. The role of epibiont sponges and their microbial symbionts in the nutrient limited Rhizophora mangle stands. AGU/ ASLO Ocean Sciences Meeting, Honolulu, HI, Invited.

SEMINARS

Akob, D. M. Structure and Function of Microbial Communities in Uranium Contaminated Subsurface Sediments. Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Microbe-Mineral Interactions Graduate School, January 2009.

Akob, D. M. Cold War Biogeochemistry: Nuclear Legacy Waste in the Subsurface of Former East Germany. Florida State University, Department of Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography Seminar October 2007. Invited.

Akob, D. M. Cold War Biogeochemistry: Nuclear Legacy Waste in the Subsurface of Former East Germany. Florida State University, Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution Research and Discussion Group. October 2007. Invited.

Akob, D. M. Structure and Function of Microbial Communities in Uranium Contaminated Subsurface Sediments. Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Institute for Ecology, June 2007. Invited.