Dr. Michael J. Formolo

Michael Formolo

Assistant Professor of GeosciencesKeplinger Hall M239
918-631-3013
michael-formolo@utulsa.edu

Education and Degrees Earned

  • Ph.D. - University of Missouri, Columbia, MO (2005)
  • B.S. - Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (1998)

Areas of Research Focus

  • Carbon and sulfur biogeochemistry of hydrocarbon-rich environments
  • Biodegradation of organic matter in modern and ancient marine sediments
  • Microbial production of methane in shale and coal reservoirs
  • Characterization of dissolved organic carbon and sulfur in shale gas reservoirs

Previous Relevant Work Experience

  • Research Scientist, Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany, 2007 - 2010
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 2005-2007

Professional Affiliations

  • Geological Society of America
  • American Geophysical Union
  • European Geophysical Union
  • European Association of Organic Geochemists

Publications

  • A new model linking atmospheric methane sources to Pleistocene glaciation via methanogenesis in sedimentary basins.
    Formolo, M.J., Petsch, S.T., Salacup, J.M., Martini, A.M., and Nüsslein, K., (2008) Geology, 36(2), 139-142
  • Biodegradation of sedimentary organic matter associated with coalbed methane in the Powder River and San Juan Basins
    Formolo, M.J., Martini, A.M., and Petsch, S.T., (2008), U.S.A. International Journal of Coal Geology, 76, 86-97
  • Direct analysis of sulfate reducing bacterial communities in gas hydrate-impacted marine sediments by PCR – DGGE
    Bagwell, C., Formolo, M.J., Ye, Qi, Yeager, C., Lyons, T.W., and Zhang, C.L. (2009) Journal of Basic Microbiology, 49, 1-6
  • Geochemical constraints for the deposition of the Devonian Leicester Pyrite Member, western New York: Implications for the accumulation of detrital sulfide deposits beneath and oxic atmosphere
    Formolo, M.J. and Lyons, T.W. (2007). Journal of Sedimentary Research, 77, 623-633
  • Oxidative sulfur cycling in the deep biosphere of the Nankai Trough, Japan
    Riedinger, N., Brunner, B., Formolo, M.J., Solomon, E., Kasten, Strasser, M., and Ferdelman, T.G. (2010) Geology, 38,851-854
  • Quantifying carbon sources in the formation of authigenic carbonates at gas hydrate sites in the Gulf of Mexico
    Formolo, M.J., Lyons, T.W., Zhang, C., Sassen, R., Horita, J., and Cole, D.R. (2004), Chemical Geology, 205, 253-264
  • Reactant-product textures, volume relations, and implications for major-element mobility during natural weathering of hornblende, Tallulah Falls Formation, Georgia Blue Ridge
    Velbel, M.A., Donatelle, A.R., and Formolo, M.J. 2009. U.S.A. American Journal of Science, 309 (8), 661-688.
  • Reduced sulfur deposition to the euxinic sediments of the Cariaco Basin: Sulfur isotopic constraints on organic sulfur formation
    Werne, J.P., Lyons, T.W., Hollander, D.J., Formolo, M.J., and Sinninghe Damste, J.S. (2003), Chemical Geology, 195, 159-179
  • The microbial production of methane and other volatile hydrocarbons
    Formolo, M.J. (2010) Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology, 113-126