ProfJustin Seymour

The principle goal of my research team is to understand the ecological and biogeochemical function of microbes in marine environments. Our research tackles the important questions of who are the key microbial populations in different ocean ecosystems, and what they are doing?

Key Research Themes:

My research investigates processes that have profound implications for the function of the ocean and our planet, and can be defined under five key research themes including:

(i) Microbial Oceanography: How the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of different oceanic provinces influence, and are influenced by, the composition and functionality of marine microbial assemblages.

(ii) Marine Microbial Ecology: Understanding the ecological interactions between different microbial groups, including Bacteria, Archaea, Viruses and Eukaryotes.

(iii) Marine Microbe - Animal Interactions: Understanding the roles of microbes in the ecology and health of marine animals, including corals and fish

(iv) Marine Microbe - Plant Interactions: Understanding the roles of microbes in the ecology and health of marine plants, including seagrasses and macroalgae

(v) Marine Microbe - Human Interactions: Examination of the occurrence and dynamics of potentially harmful indigenous and introduced bacteria in coastal marine environments, with specific focus on the influence of shifting environmental conditions (e.g. pollution and climate change processes).