About Us

The Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX) focuses on the human and environmental health impacts of chemicals and pathogens. This interdisciplinary focus has led to new insights into how microbes cause disease and affect the bioavailability of toxicants in the environment, as well as how organisms respond to these harmful agents. While our research is driven by biological questions, it has a significant translational component and has led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets, approaches for bioremediation, and markers of toxicant exposure. In addition, our department provides an exciting and effective training environment for graduate and undergraduate research and teaching. The METX faculty have been very successful in developing independent and interdisciplinary research programs, publishing in top-rated peer-reviewed journals, and advancing through the professoriate ranks. Moreover our graduate training prepares students to become leaders in various fields,  following career paths in academia, teaching, industry, and government.

Contact & visitor information
Office location
Physical Sciences Building, Room 430

Contacts
Office Email: metxadmn@ucsc.edu
Phone: (831) 459-4719

Mailing address
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
University of California, Santa Cruz
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064

UC Santa Cruz Interactive Map

Degree programs
The Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department at UCSC offers undergraduate and graduate courses in microbiology and environmental toxicology, and grants Ph.D. and M.S., and B.S. degrees. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in multiple areas of microbiology, toxicology, and pharmacology to achieve the breadth and depth of perspective required for this interdisciplinary science.

Explore Microbiology & Environmental Toxicology News

The latest high-impact science in Microbiology & Environmental Toxicology

From friend to foe: Food strains share their toxic genes in E. coli

https://researchoutreach.org/articles/friend-foe-food-strains-share-toxic-genes-e-coli/

Microbiologist Fitnat Yildiz, professor and chair of the Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, studies biofilm formation in cholera bacteria. (Photo by Elena Zhukova)

UC Santa Cruz offers new major in microbiology

UCSC is offering a new major in microbiology leading to a B.S. degree, administered by the Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology

See more METX news