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Dr. Jeffrey Gardner is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). He received his BS in bacteriology and his PhD in microbiology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Afterwards, he conducted postdoctoral research at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center before joining the faculty at UMBC. He has been recognized with various awards and honors throughout his career, including a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Early Career Research Award, a TEDCO Maryland Innovation Initiative Award, a UMBC Mid-Career Faculty Excellence Award, and a UMBC Up-and-Coming Inventor Award. In this interview, he shares more about his life and science.
People Behind the Science Podcast Show Notes
Life Outside of Science (2:31)
In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys revisiting classic video games from the 1980s and 1990s that he grew up playing. He especially likes role-playing and adventure games that emphasize exploration and discovery. The original Legend of Zelda Nintendo game holds a particularly special place in his heart for its open-world exploration and nostalgic appeal.
The Scientific Side (3:39)
Jeffrey’s research focuses on understanding how bacteria break down and use carbohydrates for energy. This process plays an important role in the environment through recycling plant material, it has commercial applications in producing renewable fuels and developing enzymes for products like detergents, and it helps bacteria in our gut digest dietary fiber. His work highlights how the breakdown of carbohydrates by bacteria is essential for the planet, the economy, and human health.
A Dose of Motivation (5:32)
“Keep calm and carry on.”
What Got You Hooked on Science? (9:03)
Jeffrey’s interest in science began with his childhood fascination with the natural world, and he spent a lot of time reading about dinosaurs, space, and marine biology. He was particularly drawn to the excitement of exploration and discovery. Growing up in a small town in northern Wisconsin, Jeffrey didn’t initially realize that being a scientist was a career option. He planned to become a physician, but volunteering at a hospital changed his mind. Around the same time, he had some wonderful experiences conducting undergraduate research. During his junior year of college, Jeffrey came into the lab one Sunday morning to discover that an experiment had completely failed. Rather than feeling discouraged, he was excited by the challenge of figuring out what went wrong. This helped him realize that he wanted to pursue a PhD and a career in microbiology.
Jeffrey completed his undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, working in different labs and studying different bacteria at each stage to broaden his scientific expertise. Although Jeffrey initially planned to pursue a career in industry, those jobs were not readily available in the 2008 economy, so he pursued a postdoc instead. Gaining diverse research experiences, developing his scientific network, and remaining open to unexpected career opportunities helped him get to where he is today.
The Low Points: Failures and Challenges (25:42)
One of the biggest challenges Jeffrey faced early in his career as an assistant professor was securing his first research grant. His initial proposals received harsh reviews, and he struggled to get funding for his lab. Although it was intimidating to ask for help from senior colleagues, Jeffrey sought their guidance to improve his grant-writing skills. He credits the supportive and collaborative environment at UMBC, particularly the mentorship he received from senior faculty, with helping him navigate this difficult time. After three years of unsuccessful applications, Jeffrey received a prestigious five-year Department of Energy Early Career Award, a major milestone that helped establish him as an independent researcher.
A Shining Success! (29:37)
For Jeffrey, some of the most meaningful moments in science come from small discoveries in the lab. His team studies the functions of bacterial genes by deleting individual genes and examining how this affects the bacteria’s ability to break down and metabolize carbohydrates. Each time they identify a new function for a gene, Jeffrey experiences the excitement of learning something that no one else in the world knows yet. He finds it equally rewarding when his students make these discoveries, and his lab makes a point to celebrate these small victories along with larger milestones.
Book Recommendations (31:34)
The Billion-Dollar Molecule: The Quest for the Perfect Drug by Barry Werth, The Player of Games (Culture Series Book 2) by Iain M. Banks.
Most Treasured Travel (33:31)
One of Jeffrey’s favorite travel experiences was a vacation to Stockholm, Sweden, where he visited the Nobel Prize Museum. At the time, he was working with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in his lab, so he particularly enjoyed learning about the scientists involved in the discovery and development of GFP. He also explored other museums, including the Royal Armory, which was full of interesting history and medieval weaponry. Another highlight of the trip was experiencing the Swedish tradition of fika, which encourages people to slow down, enjoy coffee or a snack, connect with others, and appreciate the simple moments in life.
Quirky Traditions and Funny Memories (36:11)
Jeffrey has a special tradition in his lab for celebrating the achievements of his PhD students, inspired by his love of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Drawing inspiration from the four gold rank dots that Captain Jean-Luc Picard wears on his collar, Jeffrey awards his students a replica gold dot each time they reach a major milestone: passing their first-year committee meeting, publishing their first lead-author paper, passing their qualifying exam, and successfully defending their dissertation. By graduation, students have earned all four dots, symbolizing their progression through graduate school and their readiness to become captains of their own scientific careers.
Advice For Us All (42:37)
One piece of advice that has stayed with Jeffrey came from a colleague who encouraged him to try an idea involving 3D-printed devices to study bacterial growth on plant biomass. What began as a simple suggestion to give the idea a try ultimately led to four published papers, external funding, and the launch of a small biotech company. This experience reinforced Jeffrey’s belief that if an idea is feasible and not prohibitively expensive or dangerous, you should try it. Also, try to support science in your community through outreach and education. Engaging with people outside the scientific community can have a greater impact than presenting research at a scientific conference because it helps others understand and appreciate the value of science.
Guest Bio
Jeffrey’s research centers around understanding how bacteria sense their environment and acquire nutrients. He has been broadly trained in the areas of bacterial physiology, metabolism, and genetics. His recent work has focused on studying carbohydrate-active enzymes and sugar transporters, with one of his lab’s goals being to discover proteins that are useful for biomedicine or biotechnology. One of his lab’s recent achievements was the development of a 3D-printed capsule that allows his team to measure bacterial growth when the only nutrient source available is from insoluble materials, such as switchgrass (a bioenergy crop), crab shells, or fungi. When not in the lab, Jeffrey likes playing 80’s and 90’s video games, with a particular affinity for The Legend of Zelda series. Other activities he enjoys include playing board games with his wife and two daughters, and training for the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski marathon.
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