Dr Gavin Collins (B.Sc., Ph.D.)

Research

My primary research interest is microbial ecophysiology and biogeochemistry in natural marine and terrestrial, and engineered, environments. The use of molecular-based analyses has provided new insights to the nature, diversity and specific roles of microbial populations in natural ecosystems and my research involves applied and fundamental study of several environmental habitats to better understand important nutrient cycling processes and to harness novel species and mechanisms for biotechnology.

Specific interests:

• The abundance and functional role(s) of Crenarchaeota in anaerobic wastewater treatment biofilms and in the wider biosphere.
  
  
• The roles of anaerobic and aerobic microbial processes in nitrogen loss from intertidal and estuarine sediments. I will investigate this research theme, and the role of anammox in the oceanic N-cycle, at the Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology for 18 months from January 2007 on a Marie Curie Intra European Fellowship.

Contact Information

Tel: +353 (0)91 495020
Fax: +353 (0)91 494598
Email: gavin.collins@nuigalway.ie