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!

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."

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."

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."
Let's Work Together!
If you have a project and would like to collaborate please reach out!