Dr. John Zak

John is a soil -microbial ecologist and a mycologist whose research seeks to understand how variability in precipitation frequency and magnitude along with daily patterns in soil temperatures regulate soil microbial diversity, microbial activity, and the functioning of natural and agricultural-ecosystems. John’s lab has been involved in projects that extend from the cotton fields of West-Texas to the Chihuahuan Desert in Big Bend National Park to the pine forests of Ft. Benning, Georgia. In each of these projects Zak’s lab is focused on understanding how soil microbial dynamics and processes can be managed for ensuring that these systems remain sustainable for future generations.

Johnhas been a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University for 37 years. John is also the Director of the TTU-Climate Center and is a lead PI for the South-Central Climate Adaptation Science Center housed at The University of Oklahoma in Norman.