We focus on the responses of microbial communities, and the processes mediated by these communities, to environmental change—including climate change, ocean acidification, ocean deoxygenation, and atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Our research sits at the interface of microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and global change science, and combines molecular techniques with biogeochemical approaches to understand the interplay between microbial community structure and function. We work in the open ocean, reefs, estuaries, marine lakes, and mountain lakes; we are constantly exploring new ideas; and we are continually developing new projects and collaborations. Feel free to contact us. Our current major projects examine:
Microbial ecology and biogeochemistry in high-elevation lakes of Yosemite
Dimensions of Biodiversity in marine lakes of Palau and Indonesia
Marine archaeal roles in nitrification
Effects of ocean acidification on nitrification
Ocean sediment microbial ecology and biogeochemistry
Microbial dispersal and survival in extreme habitats (vernal pools, glacial landscapes, etc.)
Autonomous and remote sensing and sampling
Photo taken by Jesse Wilson during fieldwork in Palau in 2011
Beman Lab, University of California, Merced 