I’m Jackie Goordial!

I study the ecology and physiology of microorganisms inhabiting permafrost and cold lithic environments.

Drilling permafrost in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. 

I am a polar microbiologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph (Canada). I study the ecology and physiology of microorganisms inhabiting permafrost and cold lithic environments, and their adaptations to sub-zero temperatures. My work has taken me to the Canadian High Arctic and the McMurdo Dry Valleys ( and in between!). 

Twin life means being dressed identically, a lot. 

I was born and grew up in Toronto, Canada, along with my twin sister (we no longer coordinate outfits).  My parents met in Canada, and are Spanish and Trinidadian (Indian diaspora via British ships). So I grew up eating amazing food, I am a pretty good cook, but still not as good as them.

My Dad and Grandpa, who both claim food tastes better if you eat it with your hands. 

During my postdoc in Maine, I fulfilled a long-time goal of learning to ride a motorcycle, and had a dream come true getting to ride with the Dykes on Bikes. I also did lots of exciting, deep subsurface biosphere work in Maine, which has really influenced how I now look at low biomass polar environments.  

I am … really enjoying being within stones throw of my family again!

 Now that I am settling back into life Canada, I am hiking a ton, adjusting to starting a new lab in a pandemic, but mostly really enjoying being within stones throw of my family again! They have been my biggest supporters.