My name is Benjamin Peterson, I am a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California - Davis in Dr. Brett Poulin's lab. Broadly, I am interested in using microorganisms and, more importantly, their metabolic activity as a window into the inner workings of biogeochemical cycles in natural ecosystems. I aim to combine the ever-expanding molecular tools of microbial ecology with biogeochemical measurements and functional isotope-based assays to better understand how microbial communities mediate and link biogeochemical cycling.
My current research focus is on the microbes that mediate mercury methylation in aquatic ecosystems. To do this, I integrate meta 'omic sequencing data with biogeochemical measurements, functional assays for microbial community activity, and enriched isotope Hg-methylation assays. This work has highlighted for me how we still know so little about basic microbial community metabolism, especially in anoxic environments. My current work seeks to address the complexities of community metabolism and its role in MeHg production. See my research page for more information. My research is highly collaborative, and I am interested in sharing expertise across disciplines to fill knowledge gaps in the field. I am a board member of Mercorsium, a network of researchers specialized or interested in research related to mercury cycling in the environment, where I primarily help organize the seminar series I am also a member of the MTR Magic Key Research and Design Partnership. |