Dr. Takacs-Vesbach conducted her graduate work in microbial ecology and performed research on the factors affecting bacterioplankton distribution and productivity in the lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Her post-doctoral work focused on the microbial phylogenetic and physiological diversity of hydrothermal springs. Her current research focuses on microbial diversity and productivity in the McMurdo Dry Valley ecosystem. Her NRC experience includes service on Committee on Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars, the Planning Committee for the International Polar Year, and the Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life. She received her Ph.D. in Microbial Ecology from Montana State University.