My research
programs deal with protistan molecular phylogeny and ecology and the genetic
regulation of algal/protist symbiotic interactions. I use molecular
phylogenetic analyses of small subunit ribosomal gene sequences for the identification
of protists and the subsequent development of oligonucleotide probes for
their detection and enumeration from natural samples.
Distribution and abundance of acanthamoebae
in marine sediments.
Development and application of a molecular detection
method for the quahog parasite QPX in coastal marine environments.
Diversity, distribution, abundance and adaptation
of protists in the extreme cold marine environment of the Ross Sea, Antarctica.
Human pathogens in the coastal
ocean and marine mammal zoonoses.
Detection, distribution and abundance of free-living
symbiotic algae in the marine environment.
