Hazel Barton

Background

About Hazel Barton

My research is geared toward understanding microbial interactions and processes in cave environments, and leveraging these properties for unique technologies. This work has be supported by over $7 million in research funding from agencies including the US National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, US National Institutes of Health, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the US National Park Service, along with industrial partners. I am currently a Kavli Fellow of the US National Academy of Science, and past Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women in Microbiology for the American Society for Microbiology. I have received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the NSS Science Award, the Alice C. Evans Award for the advancement of women in science, and am a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. My research has been featured in a number of news outlets, including Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Outside, Science News, Popular Mechanics, and Wired, in the book Extreme Scientists: Exploring Natures Mysteries from Perilous Places, on NPR and BBC Radio, on Animal Planet, the History Channel, National Geographic, the CBS Early Show, BBC TV and in the IMAX movie Journey into Amazing Caves. I'm also an avid caver, having explored caves on seven continents, served on the Board of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, am a past-director and Fellow of the National Speleological Society (NSS), and an award-winning cave cartographer.