My research aims to understand the lives of aquatic microorganisms from several perspectives, including:
- their genomic potential and measurable capabilities to access and use organic matter
- their structure, assembly processes, succession
- their susceptibility for infection by viruses
As a postdoc in the HADAL Center, I will conduct research focused on microbial adaptations and biogeochemical function in the oceanic transition from atmospheric to high pressure conditions.
Some questions of interest include:
- Is there a phylogenetic signal to high-pressure adaptation, or is it phylogenetically widespread?
- What genomic changes/features underlie microbial tolerance or preference for high pressure conditions?
- Which enzymatic reactions pertinent to the degradation of organic matter are affected (enhanced or reduced) by an increase in pressure?
- What are the pressure limits and genes involved for these enzymatic reactions?
In addition to my microbiological and biogeochemical research, I chat with students from around the globe about being a scientist (usually via Skype a Scientist), participate in outreach events (organised in schools, museums, etc), and learn more about and participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
