Dr. Hochbaum is now a professor at the University of California, Irvine. More info can be found here.

I am currently a postdoc in Joanna Aizenberg’s lab (SEAS/CCB, Harvard) working on microbial interfaces with materials. I collaborate closely with groups in OEB, MCB, and MGH to study microbial communities at surfaces in medical and environmental settings. Specifically, I'm interested in manipulating the morphology and function of these communities, called biofilms, using physical and chemical cues. I study the behavior of cells within biofilms, looking at functions ranging from antibiotic resistance and phenotypic differentiation to inorganic metabolisms and charge transfer interfaces. With my previous experience in materials chemistry and solid state physics, I am also exploring the role of mesoscopic structures in determining biofilm associated microbial behavior. This work has applications in the treatment of chronic infections and in bioelectric interfaces for energy production and biofuels synthesis. My general research interests lie at the intersection of microbiology and inorganic materials, coaxing microorganisms to work for us through directed biochemical and inorganic reactions. My extracurricular scientific pursuits include kitchen chemistry and experimental studies of humanoid projectiles on bikes and skis. For more information, check out my webpage here.