Meet  Team Microbigals!

Founder, Podcast co-host & science writer

Elizabeth (Tess) Deyett, PhD

Tess Deyett, Ph.D. is a current postdoc under the guidance of Dr. Philippe Rolshausen at the University of California Riverside. She aspires to share how microbes are a constant force of good to every person and that everyone has many unique microbe moments! 

Co-Founder & Podcast Producer

Jonathan Mitchell

Jonathan is a microbiome researcher at a pharmaceutical company. He received his master's in Microbiology from the University of California Riverside. In his free time, he enjoys home brewing mead.

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Science Writer 

Julie Grubaugh

Julie is a Senior Application Analyst and a mycophile. She has a biology degree from the University of New Hampshire, a black belt in karate, and she's climbed all 48 4k' of NH. She loves all microbial foods and has swapped out coffee for her homemade Chaga tea recipe! 

Science Artist

Meng-Yuan (Celia) Xi

Celia is pursuing a Ph.D. from the University of California Riverside in Botany. She researches the plant-microbe interactions of citrus. She's also an aspiring science illustrator and artist. 

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Department of Microbial Environmental Science and Sustainability

Dr. Myco Rhiza

Dr. Myco Rhiza grew up under The Mother Tree in the Great Forest where she and her sisters help The Great Mother Tree bring life and warmth into the Earth. When she's not teaching Dr. Myco Rhiza enjoys kitting mycelia and hyphae and gardening (especially mushrooms and other fungal friends).  Although she teaches several classes at the Society Of Symbionts, her favorites are "Networking 101" and  "Decomposition & Sustainability."

Survival Specialist

Coach Timmy Tardigrade

In addition to coaching the swimming team, this moss piglet enjoys the outdoors often taking his students on extreme field trips to hydrothermal vents, deep-sea excursions, and the occasional space travel. His carefree and stress-free attitude towards life is the envy of the school and often is the reason why his students come back alive from their adventures. His major classes include "Survival 101", "Defensive Metabolites", and "Astronomy."

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Department of MIcrobial Gastronomy

Chef Ferme Brewer

While sometimes incoherent, there is nothing to be misunderstood by Chef Ferme Brewer's exquisite meals. Growing up in Egypt and having traveled all over the world, Chef Ferme Brewer's pallette can not be contested. He's an avid homebrewer and self-proclaimed health nut. His top courses include: "Nutrition 101", "Working as a gut", and "Microbial Gastronomy."

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Head Mistress Of The Society Of Symbionts

Ms. Ecoli

Our fearless and kind headmistress Ms. Ecoli makes sure the school is run in tip-top shape. While sometimes stern, she is also extremely passionate in ensuring every student finds their microbe moment. Although I would not cross her if I were you; she can spot mischief from anywhere on campus! When she is not wrapped up in administrative work and 1-on-1 meetings with students she teaching introductory courses like "Micoribology A-Z", "Material Engineering", and "Reproduction & Replication."

Department of Criminology And Pathogenesis

Becky LeFarge

Meet Becky LaFarge; sentenced to a lifetime of teaching medical microbiology at the society of symbionts. A convicted microbial serial killer with a sick twisted sense of humor that keeps her classes light and entertaining. Her courses have a proclivity for the macabre teaching classes such as "The Art Of Manipulating Your Host", "Criminology & Pathogenesis", and "History of Modern Medicine." As a recovering bacteriophage, she occasionally has urges to eat her students, but with the watchful eyes of our probation officer students are generally regarded as safe (GRAS).

Department of History of Man and Microbe

Professor Xi Psychrobacter

Professor Xi Psychrobacter was a long-time symbiont of the Giant Panda Basi, but once his host died he came to The Society of Symbionts and loves teaching the next generation of beneficial microbes. Professor Xi specializes in "Human History" and "Starting a Symbiosis."

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