Dr. Heidelberg’s group researches the genetic, biochemical, and metabolic properties of naturally occurring prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial assemblages by pairing contemporary genomic technologies with more traditional lab and field approaches. The knowledge gained through genomic approaches provides the basis to evaluate microbial diversity and the fundamental physiological and ecological principles governing the activities and interactions of microbial taxa in studied habitats. Understanding these interactions and their resultant biogeochemical activities is an exciting avenue of research given that much of the energy flow and elemental cycling is not only conducted by microorganisms, but dictated by their trophic interactions. Current research programs focus on microbial consortia from hypersaline environments, a variety of marine environments, and soil communities.
