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Dawn Cardace studies microbe-mineral interactions using research approaches drawn from geochemical modeling and mineralogical characterization. Within RPL, she is the team leader of the NAI-funded Coast Range Ophiolite Microbial Observatory (CROMO) project, with a focus on petrography and interpretations of micro-FTIR data of serpentinites. She will fine-tune the use of microFTIR for analysis of serpentinites and conduct micro-scale mapping of mineral and organic components in naturally occurring and experimentally altered rocks, and will examine microbial colonization of serpentinites via FTIR flow-through cell experiments. She is also a novice banjo player, a caver, and mother of two inspiring daughters.