Karine Gibbs, photograph by Adam Sings in the Timber

Research Bio

The Gibbs Lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial social behaviors such as collective motility, competition, and communication. They are particularly interested in determining how individual agency and community interactions influence population dynamics and group structure. They use quantitative metrics to understand these qualitative behaviors, employing techniques from microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, microscopy, phylogenetics, and genomics.

Research Expertise and Interest

microbiology, microbial development, molecular genetics, biochemistry, microbial social behaviors, bacterial communities / microbiomes, collective behaviors

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent terms
2026 Spring
  • General Biology Lecture  [BIOLOGY 1A]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [PLANTBI 199]  

  • Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)  [PLANTBI 199S]  

  • Scientific Reasoning and Logic  [PLANTBI 210]  

  • Research Review in Plant and Microbial Biology  [PLANTBI 292]  

  • Graduate Research  [PLANTBI 299]  

  • Individual Study for Graduate Students  [PLANTBI 602]  

  • Honors Research - Plant and Microbial Biology  [PLANTBI H196]  

  • Honors Research - Plant and Microbial Biology  [PLANTBI H196]  

2025 Fall
  • Special Topics in Plant and Microbial Biology  [PLANTBI 190]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [PLANTBI 199]  

  • Research Review in Plant and Microbial Biology  [PLANTBI 292]  

  • Graduate Research  [PLANTBI 299]  

  • Honors Research - Plant and Microbial Biology  [PLANTBI H196]  

2025 Summer
  • General Microbiology  [MCELLBI C112]  

  • Special Topics in Plant and Microbial Biology  [PLANTBI 190]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [PLANTBI 199]  

  • General Microbiology  [PLANTBI C112]  

  • Honors Research - Plant and Microbial Biology  [PLANTBI H196]  

  • Honors Research - Plant and Microbial Biology  [PLANTBI H196]  

2025 Spring
  • General Biology Lecture  [BIOLOGY 1A]  

  • Special Topics in Plant and Microbial Biology  [PLANTBI 190]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [PLANTBI 199]  

  • Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)  [PLANTBI 199S]  

  • Scientific Reasoning and Logic  [PLANTBI 210]  

  • Research Review in Plant and Microbial Biology  [PLANTBI 292]  

  • Graduate Research  [PLANTBI 299]  

  • Individual Study for Graduate Students  [PLANTBI 602]