It is now recognized that microorganisms form the foundation of life on Earth.  In marine ecosystems, microbes are the main primary producers, fixing carbon dioxide into organic material, and the primary consumers of organic matter, respiring carbon dioxide to the surrounding seawater and ultimately the atmosphere.  Over the last twenty years, marine microbial ecologists have employed molecular biology-based techniques to achieve an appreciation for the complexity of aquatic microbial communities.  These assemblages are comprised of genetically distinct populations, each responsible for mediating critical pathways in the cycling of organic carbon, nutrients, and energy.  Microbial community structure is therefore a critical determinant of the biogeochemical processes occurring within seawater ecosystems.

    My group is currently pursuing a wide variety of research topics that fall into three general categories:  (1) spatial and temporal dynamics of bacterioplankton, (2) the isolation and interrogation of previously recalcitrant strains of marine microorganisms, and (3) the intersection of microbial diversity, systematics, evolution, and genomics.  We hope to add many more details soon, including information regarding our culture collection.  For now, please check out the NSF funded Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education (C-MORE) website, as well as the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Marine Microbial Genome Sequencing Project.