Soil Science Lab

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About Us

Soil Science Lab is a global citizen science initiative focused on environmental microbiology, soil ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental resilience. Through community-powered research, we connect students, educators, explorers, and scientists in studying the microscopic systems that shape life on Earth.

Our work spans diverse environments, including Arctic ecosystems, volcanic landscapes, urban environments, agricultural systems, rivers, coastlines, and classrooms. Participants contribute environmental observations, soil data, microbial studies, nematode biodiversity research, and ecological sampling to help better understand environmental change and ecosystem health.

We believe science should be accessible, hands-on, and connected to real-world discovery. Soil Science Lab empowers individuals of all backgrounds to participate in meaningful scientific research while learning about climate resilience, biodiversity, One Health, and the connections between environmental and human health.

Whether through field exploration, microscopy, environmental monitoring, or community science projects, our mission is to inspire curiosity, discovery, and stewardship for our planet through collaborative science.

The Team

Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez Scientist • Educator • Explorer

@real_dr.g   Aidyl Gonzalez   draidylgonzalez.com

Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez is a scientist, educator, author, and extreme-environment explorer whose work bridges environmental microbiology, soil ecosystems, space biology, and citizen science.

She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), with research spanning environmental resilience, microbiomes, nematode biology, and neurodegeneration.

Dr. Gonzalez is affiliated with Caltech and serves as Director of Outreach for the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), where she leads public-facing science initiatives and global citizen science projects, including Soil Science Citizen Science. She has also spoken at the United Nations General Assembly on science, sustainability, and education.

Her field research has included Arctic ecosystems, volcanic lava tubes, coastal environments, and other extreme habitats used to better understand life on Earth and beyond.

She is the author of Gigi & Nema: Guardians of the Soil and Everyday Lab Math, and was named one of The Explorers Club’s “Fifty People Changing the World” in 2024.

Sabrina Khan, PhD Student

@psykedout  @sabrinaykhan  /sabrina-khan

Sabrina Khan is an incoming PhD student at Johns Hopkins University pursuing a degree in planetary geology and science policy. She earned her bachelor’s degree from MIT in Planetary Science and Aerospace Engineering in 2021, with a minor in Science, Technology and Society studies. Sabrina is interested in bridging science, engineering and policy to discover new and equitable ways of exploring space and preparing the next generation of STEM students. She is a 3x NASA JPL intern and has worked in the commercial space industry as an MIT Pozen Fellow. Her mission experience includes work on the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, MSL Curiosity rover, and the small-satellite BeaverCube.

Sabrina became engaged in teaching and mentorship in high school, where she started a local makers club to encourage members of the community to experiment with electronics, programming and the natural sciences. The SPF Maker Club evolved into a free summer camp, was recognized as a Make Inc. Affiliate site, and went on to receive a blue ribbon award at the New York World Maker Faire. In her senior year, Sabrina also organized a TEDx event to promote learning beyond the standard curriculum. Since then, Sabrina has served in leadership roles for the MIT Women in Aerospace Engineering, MIT Women in STEM Week, To the Moon Hackathon, NASA Pathways Agency Cross-Center Collaboration (PAXC) and the MIT Interracial X Ethnic Division – all efforts to make STEM a more diverse and inclusive environment. She was most recently Vice Chair of the Women of Aeronautics and Astronautics (WoAA), an international organization under AIAA, and is a current member of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) US Task Force on Space Policy. Sabrina currently works at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) as a science policy and governmental affairs intern.

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