Dr. Erika Espinosa-Ortiz's research interests at the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University include

• fungal-based technologies for water and soil remediation

• biodeterioration of building materials due to multi-domain biofilm formation

• biomineralization processes applied to the medical field, such as the formation of kidney stones induced by urinary tract infections).

In this podcast, we’ll speak with Erika about why the National Science Foundation is interested in making building materials out of fungi, why NASA is eying fungi to aid in long-term space travel, and how biofilms are damaging some of the United States’ most-treasured monuments.