Karen Lloyd

Join Karen Lloyd, a microbial biogeochemist at USC and author of 'Intraterrestrials', as she unveils the secrets of Earth’s underground biosphere. Discover how resilient microbes survive in extreme conditions by tapping into electrons and ancient water sources. Explore the implications for life’s origins and the potential for extraterrestrial organisms. Lloyd also discusses groundbreaking advances in understanding the adaptations of these extremophiles and their interconnectedness with Earth’s ecosystems, challenging our traditional perspectives on life.

Karen Lloyd, a microbiologist and author of "Intraterrestrials: Discovering the Strangest Life on Earth," discusses the remarkable life forms found in ocean mud that defy classification. She reveals how these so-called intraterrestrials survive for eons without reproduction and reshape our understanding of evolution. Lloyd highlights the tranquility of single-celled organisms in the deep sea and how their resilience poses intriguing questions about natural selection. This captivating journey explores the hidden microbial world and its mysteries.

Karen Lloyd, a marine microbiologist, dives into the hidden microbial world beneath our feet. She reveals that these ancient microbes, some hundreds of thousands of years old, could revolutionize our understanding of ecosystems. Lloyd takes listeners on a journey to Costa Rica, exploring how subsurface organisms interact with geological processes. These unique microbes not only hold secrets to carbon storage and climate change but also offer potential breakthroughs in biotechnology and sustainability, showcasing their significant impact on our future.