Hinsby Cadillo-Quiroz studies how microbes participate in ecosystem and applied processes. He and his research team are investigating whether microbe-mediated organismal and environmental interactions drive ecosystem processes, particularly carbon cycling. They are also examining how the environment, in turn, affects the evolution of microorganisms. Professor Cadillo-Quiroz and his collaborators focus on methane-producing Archaeafrom anaerobic, high carbon-content environments, as well as Bacteria and the ecological interactions between Archaea and Bacteria. They study new groups of microbes, microbe community patterns, and the diversity and ecological implications of microbe genomics. The team’s research may be used to predict changes in greenhouse gas levels and develop bioenergy applications.