From the sun-soaked shores of Hawaii to the arid deserts of Arizona, Nicole Buan’s journey has been shaped by a deep-rooted passion for understanding the natural world. Today, as a leading microbiologist at the University of Nebraska, Buan is pioneering research that could redefine how we approach sustainability and energy production. Her work focuses on harnessing the power of microorganisms to create a more sustainable future, blending her love for science with a commitment to solving global challenges.
“I’ve always been thinking 20, 30, 50 years into the future, even as a teenager,” Buan reflects.”I realized we need fundamental, basic research to build technologies that will only be seen decades from now. I wanted to be one of the people who could bring us forward and ensure our understanding is strong enough to base sustainable tech upon.”
Buan’s scientific curiosity was sparked early. as a high school student, she became fascinated by the microscopic processes that drive cellular life. This captivation led her to the University of Arizona, where she studied plant biochemistry under the guidance of Elizabeth Vierling. Vierling, who recognized Buan’s potential early on, allowed her to take on self-reliant research projects, fostering her growth as a scientist.
“Nicole is fiercely independent and highly organized,” Vierling says. “These are characteristics that have allowed her to pursue and succeed at unique lines of research. She is pushing the envelope in her field, and I envision significant contributions not just to academic science, but also to global issues of climate change and sustainability.”
after completing her undergraduate studies, Buan faced a pivotal decision: whether to pursue virology or microbiology in graduate school. She ultimately chose the latter, earning her doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the mentorship of Jorge Escalante. There,she delved into the biochemistry of vitamin B12 biosynthesis,a technically challenging project that honed her expertise in a wide range of laboratory techniques.
It was during this time that Escalante introduced buan to the study of methanogenic archaea—microorganisms that produce methane as a byproduct of their metabolism. This field combined her interest in microscopic processes with her desire to contribute to sustainable energy solutions. Buan’s passion for this research led her to the University of Illinois, where she worked with William Metcalf as a postdoctoral fellow, further exploring the physiology of these unique organisms.
“I chose biofuels and bioenergy as a career path at a pretty early age,” Buan explains. “I sat down and thought about what critical needs our society is going to face and where the gaps in our technology are if we’re going to meet those needs.”
Buan’s commitment to sustainability is deeply personal. Growing up in honolulu, Hawaii, she witnessed the devastating effects of pollution on coral reefs and marine ecosystems. She recalls how Hanauma Bay, once a vibrant, crystal-clear reef teeming with life, became so polluted that access had to be restricted to allow recovery. Today, the bay has rebounded, but the experience left a lasting impression on her.
Later, as a teenager in Tucson, Arizona, Buan spent her days hiking desert trails, surrounded by cacti, creosote bushes, and rattlesnakes. She marveled at the resilience of desert life, particularly during monsoon season when thunderstorms brought much-needed rain to the parched landscape. These experiences instilled in her a profound respect for nature and a determination to develop technologies that protect the habitat.
“It’s the same in Nebraska,” Buan says. “Growing up in these places, you understand how we have to steward the environment. If we want to continue as a species, we have to work to protect our natural resources.It’s a fundamental driving factor for me. We need our products to rest on a sustainable bio-based economy.”
However, Buan is quick to point out that technology alone is not enough. For sustainable solutions to make a real impact,they must be accessible,cost-effective,and reliable. “We don’t have tech unless the economics work out,” she emphasizes.
To achieve this, Buan believes scientists must address critical questions: “What do we need to learn to make biofuels more profitable and produced more inexpensively so they can be more widely adopted? Likewise, what are the concerns of the public that we hope will use this tech? It can be hard to get people to understand microbes—they’re so little, they’re invisible, and oftentimes the public doesn’t understand how much we already rely on them.”
Methanogenic archaea, the focus of much of Buan’s current research, thrive in oxygen-free environments like wetlands and are the only known organisms capable of producing methane naturally. by studying these microorganisms, Buan aims to unlock their potential for sustainable energy production, offering a glimpse into a future where science and nature work hand in hand.
Nicole Buan’s story is one of curiosity, resilience, and vision. Her work reminds us that the solutions to our most pressing challenges often lie in the smallest of places—microscopic organisms that hold the key to a sustainable future.
Unlocking the secrets of Methanoarchaea: A Journey into Microbial Research
Methanoarchaea, a group of microorganisms, thrive in some of the most extreme environments on Earth—landfills, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and even the digestive systems of animals, including humans. Despite their ubiquity, these microbes remain largely unknown to the general public. This lack of awareness often creates barriers to understanding their significance and the value of studying them. Even within the scientific community, explaining the intricacies of methanoarchaea research can be challenging.
“Because the physiology of these microbes is so different and unique, it is often hard to explain to our peers why we chose to do an experiment, or how we can conclude this means that, because their knowledge is based on organisms such as E. coli or yeast, and it doesn’t apply to methanogens,” says Buan, a leading researcher in the field.
Buan, a dedicated scientist, embraces the complexities of her work. “I didn’t go into this field as I like easy things,” she explains. “when you’re studying these organisms, you have to keep abreast of what other people are doing in the much broader field of microbiology.The types of experiments we’ve done and the equipment we’ve used altogether give us an interesting fundamental perspective.”
Her complete understanding of methanoarchaea has positioned her as a bridge between diverse scientific disciplines, including computer science, mathematics, and physics. This unique ability to collaborate across fields has made her an invaluable asset to the National strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska. Designated by the U.S.Department of Defense, NSRI connects academic researchers with national security challenges, focusing on areas like chemical and biological threat detection and food, agriculture, and environmental security.
“My NSRI colleagues and I have been discussing how we might recommend revisions to biosafety practices at the national level,” buan shares. “Bringing forth a sustainable bioeconomy will require engineering organisms, and we want to do that in a safe and secure way. It’s important that practitioners are involved in these discussions so we can develop policies and procedures that don’t impede research but provide assurance to those not involved that it’s safe,so it can be widely adopted.”
buan emphasizes the importance of collaboration in addressing global challenges. “It’s been an honour to be able to work with colleagues through NSRI who also care about environmental sustainability and food and ag security and think about how we could use our expertise to strengthen the energy, food, and agriculture sectors,” she says.
Despite the progress made in understanding methanoarchaea, much remains to be discovered. Buan believes that the next generation of researchers will play a crucial role in unlocking these mysteries. “It’s very critically important to recruit young people into this area of research,” she notes. “It will take a lifetime for them to develop into the scientists who solve problems we can’t see today. Let’s start training the next generation to take these things seriously early on and to always be using their research and technology for the good of humanity—in the U.S., but also across the world.”
For decades, Buan has dedicated herself to understanding the fundamental workings of microbes and preparing future scientists to translate that knowledge into transformative technologies. Her vision of a sustainable world, first imagined in her teenage years, continues to drive her work—and the global community stands to benefit from her efforts.
What are the potential applications of methanogens in sustainable energy production?
Unlocking the Secrets of Methanoarchaea: A Conversation with Dr. Nicole Buan
By Archys, Archyde News Editor
In the world of microbiology, few researchers are as passionate and forward-thinking as Dr. Nicole Buan. A leading microbiologist at the University of Nebraska, Buan has dedicated her career to studying methanogenic archaea—microorganisms that produce methane as a byproduct of their metabolism. Her work not only pushes the boundaries of scientific understanding but also offers hope for sustainable energy solutions in the face of global climate challenges.
I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Buan to discuss her journey, her groundbreaking research, and her vision for a sustainable future.
archyde: Dr. buan, your work focuses on methanogenic archaea, which are relatively unknown to the general public.Can you explain why these microorganisms are so importent?
Dr. Buan: Absolutely. Methanogenic archaea are engaging as they thrive in oxygen-free environments, like wetlands, landfills, and even the digestive systems of animals. They’re the only organisms known to produce methane naturally, which makes them both a challenge and an chance. On one hand, methane is a potent greenhouse gas, but on the other, it’s a valuable energy source. By understanding how these microbes work,we can possibly harness their metabolic processes to create sustainable biofuels and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Archyde: Your journey into microbiology began long before your current research. What sparked your interest in science?
Dr.Buan: It started when I was a high school student. I became fascinated by the microscopic processes that drive life—how cells function, how energy is produced, and how organisms adapt to their environments. That curiosity led me to study plant biochemistry at the University of Arizona, where I worked under the guidance of Dr. Elizabeth Vierling. She encouraged me to take on independent research projects, which really shaped my approach to science.
Later, during my graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I delved into the biochemistry of vitamin B12 biosynthesis. It was a technically challenging project, but it taught me the importance of persistence and precision in research. It was also during this time that I was introduced to methanogenic archaea, and I knew I had found my niche.
Archyde: You’ve mentioned that your work is deeply tied to sustainability. How did growing up in Hawaii and Arizona influence your perspective on environmental issues?
Dr. Buan: Growing up in Honolulu, I saw firsthand the impact of pollution on coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Hanauma Bay, for example, was once a vibrant reef teeming with life, but it became so polluted that access had to be restricted to allow recovery. That experience left a lasting impression on me.
Later, in Tucson, I spent a lot of time hiking in the desert. I was amazed by the resilience of desert life, especially during monsoon season when the landscape would transform almost overnight. These experiences instilled in me a deep respect for nature and a determination to develop technologies that protect our habitat.
Archyde: Your research is highly specialized.What are some of the challenges you face when communicating its importance to others?
Dr. buan: One of the biggest challenges is that the physiology of methanogens is so different from more well-studied organisms like E. coli or yeast. It’s frequently enough hard to explain to my peers why we chose a particular experiment or how we can draw certain conclusions. Their knowledge is based on organisms that don’t behave the same way, so it can be difficult to bridge that gap.
But I see this as an opportunity to educate and inspire. I didn’t go into this field as I like easy things—I went into it because I beleive in the potential of these microorganisms to make a real difference.
Archyde: What do you see as the next big breakthrough in your field?
Dr. buan: I think the next big breakthrough will be in understanding how to optimize the metabolic processes of methanogens for large-scale biofuel production. Right now, the economics of biofuels don’t always work out, so we need to find ways to make them more cost-effective and reliable.
We also need to address public concerns and misconceptions about microbes. People don’t always realize how much we already rely on microorganisms in our daily lives—from food production to waste management.if we can help the public understand the value of these tiny organisms, I believe we can build broader support for sustainable technologies.
Archyde: what advice would you give to young scientists who are just starting their careers?
Dr. Buan: My advice is to stay curious and resilient. Science is full of challenges and setbacks, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Don’t be afraid to pursue the questions that excite you, even if they seem difficult or unconventional. And remember,the work you do today could have a profound impact on the world decades from now.
Dr. Nicole Buan’s story is a testament to the power of curiosity and perseverance. Her work reminds us that the solutions to our most pressing challenges often lie in the smallest of places—microscopic organisms that hold the key to a sustainable future.
For more stories on groundbreaking research and the people behind it, stay tuned to Archyde.
