Research
I am currently investigating how microbial communities are involved in mercury transformation in Arctic ecosystems affected by permafrost thaw. These systems are undergoing rapid physical and biogeochemical change, yet the microbial processes that control the production and degradation of toxic mercury species remain poorly resolved. By studying these communities I aim to advance the current knowledge regarding mercury cycling under cold and rapidly changing conditions.
My work also explores functional linkages between mercury cycling and other elemental cycles, particularly nitrogen, in permafrost-affected systems. By identifying shared microbial players and coordinated metabolic strategies, I aim to contribute to a more integrated view of Arctic biogeochemistry.
I approach this problem through an integrative microbial ecology framework, combining environmental context with genome-resolved community analysis. Rather than focusing on single organisms or isolated pathways, my work emphasizes how microbial populations, metabolic potential, and ecosystem conditions interact to shape mercury dynamics.