Science that changes the world
Mgr. Kateřina Černá, Ph.D.
Specialisation: Geomicrobiology, environmental microbiology
Kateřina researches geomicrobiological processes that affect the long-term safety of deep geological repositories for radioactive waste and underground storage of green hydrogen. She believes that these scientific findings contribute to the long-term reduction of CO₂ emissions on Earth.
From the world of bees to underground ecosystems: My journey to geomicrobiology
I came to geomicrobiology by chance. I originally studied entomology, focusing on ecology, ethology, molecular genetics, and sociobiology of solitary bees and their parasites—wasps. I have always been fascinated by how relationships between organisms and their environment, as well as between organisms themselves, work.
After maternity leave and moving to Liberec, I was offered the opportunity to change my field of study and immerse myself in a completely different world – geomicrobiology, which studies the relationships between microorganisms and the underground environment. Although I had never been interested in microbiology during my studies, I gradually discovered the fascinating world of bacteria. Their ability to survive in extreme conditions, adapt, and even change the environment in which they live completely captivated me. I realized how crucial a role microorganisms can play not only in natural ecosystems, but also in the technologies that shape our future. Their interaction with the surrounding environment is key to the safe storage of radioactive waste and hydrogen.
My work therefore focuses on understanding these processes so that we can ensure the long-term stability and sustainability of these solutions. A clear benefit of my work is to increase the safety of nuclear waste storage, as I see nuclear energy as an important pillar of the transition to zero-emission energy, at least in this crucial phase of transformation. At the same time, I am interested in ways to efficiently store energy from renewable sources. Solar and wind energy need solutions for storing intermittently produced energy, and hydrogen storage represents a very interesting possibility for achieving this. Microorganisms can also play an important role in this area, which is why I believe that geomicrobiology can contribute to a more sustainable future.