Who we are

ISMET is a vibrant, international community of researchers, engineers, and innovators passionate about microbial electrochemical technologies. We’re united by a shared curiosity about how microbes and electricity can work together to solve real-world challenges - like creating clean energy, treating wastewater, or producing sustainable chemicals.

Since 2011, ISMET has brought together people from across disciplines and around the world to share ideas, support new voices, and help shape the future of this unique field.

Every big story …

… started with a single step.

Our first step as a society was taken on September 15, 2011. It was at Spats Cafe and at the Speakeasy Restaurant in State College, PA, after a workshop at Penn State organized by Jay Regan, that a group of researchers laid the foundation for ISMET.

15 years later, we are a community of 300 researchers spread out on all continents.

The ISMET president

Marianna Villano

As president of ISMET, Dr. Marianna Villano brings not only deep scientific expertise but a remarkable ability to coordinate, empower, and inspire a diverse community of researchers.

"For me, leading ISMET is about connecting the many brilliant minds across our community who share a passion for microbial electrochemistry and sustainability. ISMET thrives because it’s collaborative and inclusive …."

Marianna Villano is currently an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Department of Chemistry of Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), where she works on the treatment and simultaneous valorization of waste and wastewater by means of biological processes, primarily exploiting mixed microbial cultures.

Where we are

ISMET is steered by the ISMET board, which has members in all continents of the world.
Scroll down to learn more about us!

Meet the board

ISMET lives through the engagement of its community members and is steered by the ISMET Board and organized by ISMET Committees. Every year one third of the ISMET Board members roll of and new community members are elected to serve on the Board.

NORTH AMERICA

NA-ISMET connects researchers across North America who are leaders in both fundamental and applied aspects of electromicrobiology. Known for pioneering studies on model organisms like Geobacter and Shewanella, the region continues to explore electron transfer processes at the microbial level while expanding into synthetic biology and next-generation biotechnologies. From sensing and electrosynthesis to environmental remediation and resource recovery, the research here reflects a broad and evolving landscape. NA-ISMET fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across microbiology, chemistry, biophysics, and engineering to drive innovation across the field.

Annette Rowe 

Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences 
University of Cincinnati, USA

Dr. Rowe investigates how microbes interact with minerals and electrodes, with a focus on mineral oxidizers and cathodic processes to support CO₂ capture and conversion. She earned her PhD from Cornell and trained as a postdoc at USC, working with Ken Nealson and Moh El-Naggar. Her group explores how these interactions can be harnessed for environmental and applied technologies.

Benjamin (Keith) Keitz (ISMET treasurer)

Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering 
University of Texas, USA

Dr. Keitz focuses on engineering electron transfer in microbes using synthetic biology. He earned his PhD from Caltech and completed postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley before joining UT Austin. His group explores novel applications of extracellular electron transfer, including catalysis, materials synthesis, and sensing.

EUROPE

EU-ISMET brings together a vibrant community of researchers across Europe, working on everything from the fundamentals of extracellular electron transfer to the scale-up and engineering of microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) for real-world applications. With strong focus areas like resource recovery, bioremediation, microbial electrosynthesis, and biosensing, the region is a hub of innovation. Our regional meetings—like the 2023 event in Wageningen—gather over 150 participants from across two-thirds of European countries to share ideas, foster collaboration, and celebrate achievements, including the EU-ISMET Innovation Award for outstanding contributions to the field.

Marika Kokko 

Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering Tampere University, Finland

Dr. Kokko leads research on bioelectrochemical technologies in the bio and circular economy. She focuses on applications such as nitrogen recovery, CO₂ conversion, and electro-fermentation for resource recovery from wastewater. Her background includes postdoctoral work at the University of Freiburg, where she worked on microbial electrolysis and cathode materials.

Marianna Villano

Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering 
Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Dr. Villano specializes in the treatment and valorization of waste and wastewater using microbial processes. Her research includes MET for biogas upgrading, nitrogen recovery, and CO₂ reduction. She began her MET journey during her PhD and spent time at Cornell University with Lars Angenent, focusing on electro-fermentation and electrosynthesis.

ASIA-PACIFIC

AP-ISMET brings together scientists from across the Asia-Pacific region to address urgent environmental challenges related to industrial growth, population density, and climate change. Our research focuses on developing microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) for bioremediation, CO₂ recycling, and sustainable production processes. With participation from over 200 researchers across 10 countries, our conferences highlight both fundamental insights and real-world applications. Together, we aim to accelerate the implementation of METs that support cleaner, more resilient systems for the region and beyond.

Shun’ichi Ishii 

Researcher 
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Sci and Tech (JAMSTEC), Japan

Dr. Ishii uses multi-omics to study microbial ecophysiologies in bioelectrochemical systems. He is particularly interested in electrogenic and electrotrophic microbes, both for industrial applications and for their roles in Earth's deep subsurface biosphere. He previously worked at the J. Craig Venter Institute in the U.S. before joining JAMSTEC in 2015.

Jung Rae Kim

Professor of School of Chemical Engineering
Pusan National University (PNU), Korea

Dr. Kim develops sustainable bioelectrochemical systems for bioenergy and chemical production. His work focuses on C1 gas valorization and e-biorefinery concepts. He completed his PhD at Penn State, was a senior research fellow in the UK, and has published over 100 papers with more than 7,000 citations.

AFRICA

A-ISMET represents a dynamic and rapidly growing community of researchers across Africa, working to develop MET solutions tailored to regional challenges in water, pollution, and sustainability. From biosensors and bioremediation to wastewater reuse, African researchers are advancing innovative, low-energy technologies with real-world impact. Our inaugural conference in Ain Sokhna, Egypt (2025), marked an important milestone, bringing together experts from across continents. As we plan future events and expand collaborations, our mission remains to grow the community, strengthen regional expertise, and contribute meaningfully to global MET research.

Ola M. Gomaa

Professor of Microbial Biotechnology and Head of Biotechnology Division
Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo

Dr. Gomaa applies microbial biotechnology to societal challenges such as water treatment, waste recycling, and resource recovery. She has led numerous international collaborations and training programs in innovation and science communication. Her research centers on electroactive biofilms for sensing and bioremediation.

Janice Limson

Chair Biotechnology Innovation and Engagement & Director Biotechnology Innovation Centre
Rhodes University, South Africa

Dr. Limson leads the Biotechnology Innovation Centre (RUBIC). Her work focuses on developing diagnostics, water treatment, and bioremediation tools with community impact. She also studies how public engagement strengthens both science education and technology deployment.

LATIN AMERICA

LA-ISMET unites a diverse and growing community of researchers from across Latin America, spanning environments from the Andes to Antarctica. The region is rich in unexplored microbial diversity and environmental challenges, offering unique opportunities for innovation in electromicrobiology. Our activities—like monthly webinars, the Latin American Bioelectrochemical Week, and the LA-ISMET regional meeting—support collaboration, training, and visibility for emerging researchers. Since our first meeting, we’ve welcomed over 60 participants from 11 countries and continue to expand through shared knowledge and regional engagement.

Fernanda Lobo

Professor at the Hydrogen and Thermal Machines Laboratory 
Federal University of Ceará, Brazil

Dr. Lobo leads interdisciplinary work on MET and renewable energy technologies. Her team develops new electronic circuits and explores how electrical parameters relate to microbial activity. She aims to reduce costs and adapt MET to local conditions, with an emphasis on green hydrogen production.

Ignacio T. Vargas

Associate Professor in the Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering 
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Dr. Vargas directs research on microbial electrochemical technologies, biofilms, water reuse, and biogeochemical processes. He leads the environmental engineering undergraduate program and heads the Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Microbiology. His work aims to address sustainability challenges in Latin America through applied microbiology.

Our ISMET committees

  • Awards Committee

    Chair: Jeffrey Gralnick (NA)

    Members: selected ad hoc by the committee chair

  • Conference committee

    Chair: Annemiek ter Heijne (EU)

    Members: Kun Guo (AP), Bernardino Virdis (AP), Jeff Gralnick (NA), Bruce Logan (NA)

  • Public Engagement and outreach committee

    Chair: Catarina Paquete (EU)
    Deputy chair: Ola Gomaa (A)
    Members: Belén Barroeta (EU, Social media officer), Elizabeth Heidrich (EU), Mirella di Lorenzo (EU, outreach officer), Ola Gomaa (A) and Ignacio Vargas (LA)
    Newsletter Editor: Catarina Paquete (EU), Deputy Newsletter Editor: Belén Barroeta (EU)

  • Membership committee

    Chair: Deepak Pant (EU)
    Deputy chair: Ricardo Louro (EU)
    Members: Sunil A. Patil (AP), Jason Ren (NA), Igor Vassilev (EU) and Ludovic Jourdin (EU), Kun Guo (AP)