Jody W. Deming (born July 2, 1952) is an American oceanographer. She is a professor of

Oceanography Oceanography (), also known as oceanology and ocean science, is the scientific study of the oceans. It is an Earth science, which covers a wide range of topics, including ecosystem dynamics; ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamic ...

and a marine microbiologist at the University of Washington (UW). Her research interests include studies of cold adapted microbes in their relation to

astrobiology Astrobiology, and the related field of exobiology, is an interdisciplinary scientific field that studies the origins, early evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. Astrobiology is the multidisciplinary field that investig ...

, biotechnology, and bioremediation. She is known for her extensive field work, being involved in over 50 nautical research expeditions. Deming is also the cofounder of the UW Astrobiology Extremophile Laboratory.

Education

Deming graduated cum laude from

Smith College Smith College is a Private university, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts Women's colleges in the United States, women's college in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was chartered in 1871 by Sophia Smith (Smith College ...

in Massachusetts in 1974 with a Bachelors in Biological Sciences specializing in Botany. She was also awarded a Smith College Piano Scholarship during her undergraduate career. In 1981, Deming received her PhD in

Microbiology Microbiology () is the scientific study of microorganisms, those being unicellular (single cell), multicellular (cell colony), or acellular (lacking cells). Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including virology, bacteriology, prot ...

at the University of Maryland with Rita Colwell as her thesis advisor.

Career

In 1970's, Deming developed microbial detection systems for unusual habitats for NASA. Deming is a professor and researcher at University of Washington. Deming is the Editor-in-chief of Elementa's Ocean Science.

Research

Deming's research primarily involves the study of cold-adapted microbes gathered from Arctic sea ice samples. The bacterium '' Colwellia demingiae'' (type strain ACAM 459) is named after her. Cold-adapted microbial life has been a research topic of astrobiologists searching for life on

Europa Europa may refer to: Places * Europe * Europa (Roman province), a province within the Diocese of Thrace * Europa (Seville Metro), Seville, Spain; a station on the Seville Metro * Europa City, Paris, France; a planned development * Europa Cliff ...

and Mars, due to similar cold climates. As such, Deming's research has been used as a reference for institutions such as NASA for what life may be like on Europa and Mars.

Presentations

*2008 Earth's Low Temperature Life: An Analog for Mars and Europa? (March 31, 2008). *2016 Life in Ice: Informing the Search on Other Ocean World (May 17, 2016).

Awards

*1993 US

Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal was established on 20 May 1976 by Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Owen W. Siler. The medal is awarded to any member of the United States Coast Guard who performs twenty-one days of non-consecutive duty ...

*2003 U.S. National Academy of Sciences *2018 National Academies Keck Futures Initiative (NAKFI) Challenge Award

References

External links

Jody Deming profile at University of Washington, School of Oceanography

Why is Elementa important for Ocean Scientists? Jody Deming explains. Jan 31, 2013.
*[https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2012/12/17/167469845/suddenly-theres-a-meadow-in-the-ocean-with-flowers-everywhere Suddenly There's A Meadow In the Ocean With 'Flowers' Everywhere (December 18, 2012 NPR)] {{DEFAULTSORT:Deming, Jody 1952 births Living people American oceanographers University of Washington faculty Smith College alumni University of Maryland, College Park alumni