Welcome to the Joyful Microbe, where microbiology is made fun and simple
The Joyful Microbe is a slice of the internet where you can come to learn the coolest stuff about microbes, microbiology research, and being a microbiologist.
Microbes are amazing. They make our food taste better, produce antibiotics, provide oxygen, keep us healthy, and even smell good (geosmin, that earthy smell, yes, that’s from microbes). Of course, certain microbes — the ones that make us sick — are not so joyful. You’ll learn about those here too. But remember, they account for only a fraction of the microbial world.
This website is a resource to help you understand, enjoy, and appreciate these incredible tiny organisms.
Who are you?
Maybe you are a parent with a child who asked you, “why do I need to wash my hands?” Maybe you are a college student who is interested in pursuing a career in microbiology and you want to see what it’s like. Maybe you are a graduate student in microbiology and you want to read some interesting tidbits about microbes. Maybe you are a professor and you want to find some information on a microbiology topic that would be easy to share with your students. Maybe you are a teacher that needs to find some microbiology activities for your class. Whoever you are, I’m glad you want to learn more about the microbial world.
Feel free to email me and tell me who you are. Introduce yourself, tell me about your science background, and share what the single most important microbiology topic is to you. I’d love to get to know you so I can better serve you.
Topics covered
- Microbes in our daily lives
- How microbes affect our health
- How microbes affect the world around us
- What it’s like to be a microbiologist
- At-home microbiology activity ideas
What you can expect
- 1-2 blog posts and podcast episodes per month
- Light-hearted and casual tone
- Written for both non-scientists and scientists to enjoy
- Easy to read: if I use jargon, I will do my best to define it
- Open to comments, ideas, and feedback: please let me know if you like/don’t like something, if anything is confusing, or if there is a topic you’d like to see covered
Check out the resources page!
You will find microbiology books, blogs, activities, gifts, travel destinations, as well as science podcasts and science communication resources.
Would you like to grow your own microbial community using only simple supplies?
Make a Winogradsky column and use this free workbook to document your results!
Receive a free copy of the “Winogradsky Column Workbook,” which walks you through how to track the progress of your Winogradsky column and provides a space for you to document up to 8 weeks of results.
What do you hope to learn?
I love hearing from readers. Feel free to use the contact form and tell me what you hope to learn. Or let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Join the Joyful Microbe Community!
Subscribe to receive the newsletter, and you’ll be the first to hear about the latest blog posts, podcast episodes, and resources!
I’m thrilled you found yourself here! Now, let’s dive into the amazing world of microbes!
