Increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are causing changes to Earth's climate.
These changes put plants, animals, and humans at risk. Some organisms do the planet a favor
by removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Caltech graduate student Hannah Dion-
Kirschner studies microbes—tiny organisms that can typically only be seen under a
microscope—in soil that eat methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. In this April 11, 2024 talk fro
middle and high school students, she discusses her research and shares her personal story,
including what designing science experiments has in common with practicing a musical
instrument.

For more information on Science Journeys, visit: https://events.caltech.edu/series/sci...

About the speaker:
Hannah Dion-Kirschner is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She grew up playing piano and French
horn, climbing trees, and reading every book she could get her hands on. During her first year
of college, where she went originally to study music performance, Hannah learned that it was
possible to have a career working outdoors and learning about our planet. She began working
in a lab studying samples from Greenland that could tell us about Earth's past climate, and she
was immediately hooked. Hannah now investigates biological processes that remove
greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. She hopes to help people better understand the two-
way relationship between climate change and biology. In her spare time, she volunteers for
Caltech's GO-Outdoors, which provides geoscience educational materials, lessons, and field
trips to Pasadena classrooms. Hannah still loves to read, hike, and play music.
About the program:

In Science Journeys, Caltech graduate students and postdoctoral scholars share their research
to inspire scientific curiosity. Programs are designed for middle and high schoolers, but all are
welcome. These events are made possible through the generosity of the Friends of Beckman
Auditorium. If you have questions, please email Mary Herrera at [email protected].

Produced in association with Caltech Academic Media Technologies.
©2024 California Institute of Technology