Research

• microbial ecology and physiology
• symbioses
• chemosynthetic and anoxic ecosystems
• deep-sea biology
• biogeochemistry

Marine microbes critically influence global primary productivity, biogeochemical cycling, and oceanic food webs. Today, we also recognize that the overwhelming majority of eukaryotic organisms are symbiotically associated with microbes. Research in my lab unites these two important ideas with the novel question: what are the roles of symbiotic microbes in marine ecosystems? We employ a unique integrative approach to the physiology and ecology of symbiotic microbes and their hosts, bringing together insights from physiological experiments, molecular-based ‘omics tools, physico-chemical measurements, and community surveys. Our research aims to describe the mechanistic links among symbiont physiology, ecological processes, and biogeochemical cycles, with the ultimate goal of advancing knowledge of the function and significance of microbes in marine ecosystems.