Associate Professor of Microbiology, Heriot-Watt University
Microorganisms are some of the smallest and by far most numerous of life forms on Earth, performing and controlling many important processes that are vital to the existence of all life as we know it. My research interests are in the study of bacterial processes in the ocean that influence the bioavailability and degradation of oil hydrocarbons. I am also interested in the role of bacterial exopolymers to the bioavailability of trace metal nutrients to phytoplankton. Some of my work involves: 1) taxonomic and systematic studies of novel bacterial taxa; 2) evaluation of the ecological function and commercial application of microbial polymers; and 3) the application of microbial systems for the conversion of organic waste products into second generation biofuels. Research within my lab employs a range of classical and molecular biological techniques.
Roles and responsibilities:
– Lead research on microbial ecology projects, with a particular interest on the microbial response to oil spills and bioremediation processes.
– Supervision of undergraduate, MSc and PhD projects, and reviewer of PhD vivas at UK and overseas universities.
– Member of international scientific associations and microbiological societies.
Deepwater Horizon: scientists are still trying to unravel mysteries of the spill
Oct 21, 2016 14:05 pm UTC| Science
The film Deepwater Horizon, starring Mark Wahlberg, captures the chaos and drama that ensued after the massive fireball that engulfed the oil rig of the same name in 2011, which killed 11 people and injured many others....
A sustainable future begins at ground level
Canada needs a national strategy for homeless refugee claimants
An eclipse for everyone – how visually impaired students can ‘get a feel for’ eclipses