Genomics · Metagenomics · Expedition Science

Genomics across the
diversity of life.

From human biology to extreme environments. Genomics researcher and scientific leader advancing our understanding of microbial ecosystems through next-generation sequencing, metagenomic analysis, and expedition-driven research.

1,500+
Citations
38+
Publications
9+
Expeditions
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01 — About

A few words about me

Krista Ryon in the field

I'm the co-founder and Director of Operations of the Two Frontiers Project, where I lead initiatives leveraging cutting-edge scientific approaches to explore the most extreme environments on our planet. Our expeditions integrate advanced DNA sequencing methods with rigorous machine learning, genomic, and metabolic analyses to uncover the mysteries of microbial life.

My work spans field sampling, molecular biology, computational analysis, and data infrastructure — from marine volcanic seeps and coral reef systems to astronaut biology aboard the ISS. I've contributed to research published in Cell, Nature, Nature Communications, and Nature Microbiology.

I hold a Bachelor's in Biology with a concentration in Bioinformatics from Hunter College.

Based in

Boston, MA

Affiliation

The Two Frontiers Project

h-index

20

Education

B.S. Biology, Hunter College

Krista sampling from a boat at sea Krista mentoring researchers in the lab Krista processing samples in the field by a harbor Krista in front of a sequencing machine

02 — Experience

Career trajectory

2022 — Present

Director of Operations & Co-Founder

The Two Frontiers Project

Leading scientific programs focused on exploring microbial diversity through expedition-driven research. Managing ongoing projects, expeditions, sample processing, and data generation across sites including Vulcano (Italy), Red Sea (Saudi Arabia), Papua New Guinea, Bermuda, Japan, Romania, Elba (Italy), and more.

2025 — Present

Visiting Scientist

Harvard Medical School · DBMI

Visiting Scientist at the Department of Biomedical Informatics, contributing to advanced computational and genomic research initiatives.

2022 — 2025

Lab Director

Weill Cornell Medicine · Mason Lab

Oversaw all operational aspects of the genomics laboratory. Managed sequencing using PacBio, Oxford Nanopore, and Illumina platforms while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity and quality control. Led and mentored laboratory staff.

2021 — 2024

Executive Director

MetaSUB International Consortium

Orchestrated global sample and metadata organization for Global City Sampling Day across 100+ cities worldwide. Coordinated NYC MetaSUB efforts and organized international conferences in Istanbul, Miami, and Tokyo with 100+ attendees each.

2020 — 2022

Research Specialist

Weill Cornell Medicine

Bridged computational and wet-lab research by analyzing high-throughput sequencing data and performing bench experiments. Contributed to studies on metagenomics and transcriptomics. Promoted to Lab Director based on performance and expertise.

Dec 2022

Visiting Research Scientist

KAUST · Red Sea Research Center

Conducted DNA extractions from Red Sea coral samples. Achieved certification in Scientific Diving, performed three research dives, and collected 150+ coral fragments for sequencing and microbiome analysis.

03 — Research Focus

What I work on

01

Expedition Science & Environmental Metagenomics

Leading field sequencing expeditions to understudied ecosystems — marine volcanic seeps, coral reefs, geothermal environments, and methane seeps — integrating field sampling with advanced DNA sequencing for comprehensive microbial characterization.

Field Sequencing Metagenomics Extreme Environments Culturomics

02

Space Biology & Astronaut Multi-Omics

Contributing to pioneering research on the physiological effects of spaceflight through the Inspiration4 mission and Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA), analyzing astronaut blood, urine, and multi-omic profiles to understand how space affects human biology.

Spaceflight Multi-Omics Inspiration4 SOMA

03

Global Urban Microbiome Surveillance

Through the MetaSUB Consortium, contributed to mapping microbial ecosystems across the world's cities and transit systems, generating large-scale metagenomic datasets for antimicrobial resistance monitoring and microbial provenance.

MetaSUB Urban Microbiome AMR Wastewater

04

Genomic Data Infrastructure & Tool Development

Designing databases, bioinformatic pipelines, and data management systems for large-scale genomic research. Contributing to tools like The Microbe Directory (80,000+ microbial species profiled) and MAGUS for modular metagenomic analysis across the tree of life.

Database Design Bioinformatics Data Infrastructure Open Tools

05

Teaching & Community Outreach

Field sequencing workshop instructor for UC Berkeley/USC in Moorea, French Polynesia. Mentor for high school students through Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's DNA Learning Center. Board member for the Heart-to-Heart mobile free clinic campaign serving underserved NYC communities.

Mentorship Field Workshops Community Health Science Education

04 — Selected Publications

Published work

A global metagenomic map of urban microbiomes and antimicrobial resistance

Danko, Bezdan, Afshin, ... Ryon, et al. · Cell 184 (13), 2021 373 citations

The Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA) and international astronaut biobank

Overbey, Kim, Tierney, ... Ryon, et al. · Nature 632, 2024 97 citations

Shotgun transcriptome, spatial omics, and isothermal profiling of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Butler, Mozsary, Meydan, ... Ryon, et al. · Nature Communications 12, 2021 166 citations

Longitudinal multi-omics analysis of host microbiome architecture and immune responses during short-term spaceflight

Tierney, Kim, Overbey, Ryon, et al. · Nature Microbiology 9, 2024 55 citations

Collection of biospecimens from the Inspiration4 mission establishes the standards for SOMA

Overbey, Ryon, Kim, Tierney, et al. · Nature Communications 15, 2024 38 citations

A history of the MetaSUB consortium: Tracking urban microbes around the globe

Ryon, Tierney, Frolova, et al. · iScience 25 (11), 2022 19 citations

Full list of 38+ publications available on Google Scholar.

05 — Expertise

Core capabilities

Sequencing Platforms

Illumina Short-Read Sequencing Oxford Nanopore Long-Read Sequencing PacBio Long-Read Sequencing Shotgun Metagenomics Transcriptomics & Multi-Omics Sequencing

Computational & Data

Metagenomic Analysis Workflows Genome Assembly & Metagenomic Binning Genomic Database Architecture Bioinformatics Pipeline Development Research Data Infrastructure & Management

Field & Laboratory

Environmental & Low-Biomass DNA Extraction Field Sampling & Portable Sequencing Library Preparation & Sequencing Workflows Microbial Cultivation & Enrichment Scientific Diving & Marine Sampling

Scientific Leadership

Research Program Development Laboratory & Sequencing Operations Expedition Planning & Scientific Logistics Scientific Mentorship & Training Conference & Scientific Event Organization

06 — Talks & Presentations

Selected presentations

2025

Leveraging ultra-deep sequencing and co-assembly to resolve the bacterial, viral, and eukaryotic genomes of the coral holobiont

AGBT 2025 · Poster

Presented the MAGUS workflow for resolving multi-domain genomes from coral holobionts using ultra-deep sequencing on the Ultima Genomics UG100 platform, with results from 3,500+ public and 2FP-collected coral samples.

2025

Mapping the Bacterial, Viral, and Eukaryotic Genomes of the Coral Holobiont

ASM 2025 · Poster

Presented an end-to-end toolkit for optimized coral metagenomics, including the MAGUS co-assembly pipeline and XTree aligner, applied across 200+ coral fragments from the Red Sea and Izu Islands on multiple sequencing platforms.

2025

2FP Microbial Discovery Pipeline: From Field to Application

Dark Matter Symposium 2025 · Poster

Presented the Two Frontiers Project's end-to-end field-operable pipeline for standardized sampling, preservation, portable sequencing, and geochemistry-informed cultivation, validated across 10 high-CO₂ hot spring sites in Colorado.

Sep 2024

PlanetHAUS Climate Week

PlanetFWD · Commons · Speaker

Spoke as Director of Operations and Co-Founder of the Two Frontiers Project on microbial approaches to environmental and climate challenges.

Mar 2024

Field Sequencing Workshop

UC Berkeley / USC Island Sustainability Program · Moorea, French Polynesia

Conducted a hands-on field sequencing workshop for undergraduate students at the Gump Research Station, teaching use of the Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencer in a remote field setting.

Jul 2022

MetaSUB: Planetary-Scale Metagenomic Surveillance

ISMB 2022 · CAMDA Track (Invited Speaker)

Presented on the MetaSUB Consortium's work characterizing the global microbiome and establishing planetary-scale metagenomic surveillance across urban environments worldwide.

2019, 2020, 2022, 2024

MetaSUB International Conferences

Istanbul · Virtual · Miami · Tokyo

Organized and presented at four MetaSUB international conferences, each convening 100+ scientists and industry experts to share research on urban microbiomes and metagenomic surveillance.

07 — In the Press

Featured coverage

The New York Times · October 2025

Undersea Bacteria Feast on Methane. Can They Help Cool the Planet?

Featured alongside the Two Frontiers Project team diving to methane seeps in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Italy, collecting and studying methane-eating microbes that could help slow climate change.

Read article ↗
Atmos

Earth's Ancient Microbes Offer Lessons for a More Livable Future

Read ↗
Stirile ProTV

American Researchers Study Life Forms in the Mud Volcanoes Area

Read ↗
UATX Astronautics

Preparing Students for the New Space Economy

Read ↗

08 — Contact

Let's connect

I'm always interested in new collaborations, expedition opportunities, and conversations about advancing genomics research. Whether you're a researcher, institution, or organization — let's talk.

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LinkedIn ↗ GitHub ↗ Google Scholar ↗ Two Frontiers Project ↗ MetaSUB Consortium ↗