Research.

For a long time, the cryosphere was thought to be lifeless. Today, we know it is a dynamic, thriving ecosystem where microbial communities shape their environment. Even in these extreme conditions, microorganisms flourish, playing a crucial role in carbon cycling and influencing global biogeochemical processes.

Our research delves into glacier fleeces, microbial ecology, and the spread of contaminants such as microplastics, pesticides, and antibiotic-resistance genes. Through expeditions to the polar regions, we collect ice, snow, and water samples, bringing them to the lab to analyze microbial communities and environmental pollutants. By studying these fragile ecosystems, we uncover how they respond to change—and what that means for our planet.

The cryosphere is more than frozen water; it is a living archive of Earth’s history and a sentinel of environmental change. Studying it means protecting it—for science, for life, and the future.