Lucian Staicu

Host University: Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Field: Environmental Sciences

January, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, freezing temperatures, frozen rivers, not much snow, John Stolz – my host – one of the pioneers of a branch of Microbiology that investigates bacteria thriving on toxic metals. This marked the start of my Fulbright research project, aimed at elucidating the intricate ways by which bacteria produce biominerals and harvest energy in nutrient-challenging environments. Some bacteria masterfully handle and transform metals like the Nibelung metal-smiths from Richard Wagner’s The Rhinegold. These transformations enable them to produce cellular energy, and this chemistry is regarded as an early adaptation of bacteria to adverse environments like those from the early “years” of life on Earth. Our team’s interests delve into understanding this process and its evolutionary implications. At Duquesne University (Pittsburgh), we focused our efforts on the biominerals resulting from this complex chemistry, namely arsenic sulfides (AsS) and selenium (Se0). The former displays a beautiful yellow color, while the latter is vibrant red.

The abundance of results obtained in Pittsburgh led us to branch off the project and involve other scientists as well. Some of the names who joined in were Julie Cosmidis (University of Oxford, UK), Jeff Gralnick (University of Minnesota Twin Cities, USA), Mihaly Posfai (University of Pannonia, Veszprem, Hungary), Jason Monnell (Electric Power Research Institute – EPRI, USA), Chris Ackerson and Bradley Guilliams (Colorado State University, USA). A late and energetic addition in the team was Lindsey ‘Lo’ McKenna, a talented student from Duquesne University who fell for the charms of the colorful biominerals. The objective is to integrate the diverse expertise of all these specialists into a comprehensive picture of the biomineralization process and to publish and disseminate the results.

Outside of the lab, Pittsburgh is an acquired taste. A former steel (heavy industry) city, built on many hills at the confluence of the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio rivers. The “Steel City” has a strong Slavic / Eastern European background and cultural heritage, and is currently seeking a new identity in a post-industrial era. A curious eye will find culturally pleasing spots here such as the South Side, Oakland, Strip District or the Frick area. Carnegie Museum of Art, with its rich collection, and the impressive St. Paul Cathedral testify to the better times when Pittsburgh was one of the richest cities in the country. Because of its many hills, the city used inclines or funicular railways (railways designed to transport people and cargo up and down steep slopes) on a daily basis. Today only two of them survive (Monongahela and Duquesne), and they are highly sought after by tourists and locals alike. The culinary tradition brought by the Slavic immigrants is evident all over. Polish, Ukrainian, Ruthenian, Russian etc. cuisines delight customers year round. Overall, Pittsburgh is an interesting place to check in and explore for a couple of days or for good.

I am really grateful to Fulbright for this amazing research opportunity. I am equally grateful to Duquesne University and to Prof John Stolz and his amazing team. A special thanks goes to Ms. Corina Dănăilă-Guidea from Fulbright Romania and to the whole team in Bucharest.