Jeongdae Im

Dr. Jeongdae Im is an environmental engineer and environmental microbiologist whose research examines how microorganisms regulate greenhouse gas emissions and other environmentally important biogeochemical processes. His research program integrates environmental microbiology, microbial physiology, molecular biology, and biogeochemistry to understand the mechanisms underlying carbon and nitrogen cycling and translate that knowledge into practical environmental solutions.

A major focus of his current research is the microbial control of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural systems. His group investigates nitrous oxide production during forage conservation, biological nitrification inhibition and its effects on nitrogen cycling, and interactions between nitrification and methane oxidation. This work spans fundamental studies of microbial physiology and enzyme function through laboratory and field experiments designed to evaluate environmental consequences and mitigation strategies.

More broadly, his research seeks to understand and harness microbial processes to address challenges in climate change, sustainable agriculture, water quality, and environmental contamination.