Research in the group aims to improve the understanding of the functioning of aquatic systems (from the open ocean to large lakes) under present day scenario and assess their sensitivity to climate change - a prerequisite to predict their future and provide an appropriate management plan of their resources.

The research is centred on phytoplankton dynamic, and nutrients biogeochemistry, two key parameters that act together to affect the biogeochemistry of numerous elements including the global carbon cycle and thus the carbon footprint of aquatic systems. More specifically, my research objectives are:

• Biogeochemistry of trace elements and nutrients, especially iron and nitrogen as they control the biological atmospheric CO2 fixation in up to 50 % of the ocean and several large lakes.
• Understanding the complex interplay between aquatic chemistry and biology and its impact in controlling phytoplankton biomass, biodiversity and activity.
• Impact of natural dissolved organic matter on the bioavailability and chemistry of trace elements.
• Developing aquatic sensors to report nutrient limitation.

On going projects :

• Swiss National Science Foundation Professor Fellowship PP00P2_138955/1 (ends 2016)
  Novel technologies to reveal the impacts of nutrients limitation in aquatic systems: from biodiversity to biogeochemical cycles.
• Australian Research Council – Discovery Project DP1092892 (ends 2013)
  Novel technologies to resolve the role of organic matter on iron chemistry and bioavailability in the South Pacific Ocean
• Australian Research Council – Discovery Project DP110100108 (ends 2013)
  Iron sources and cycling in the Tasman Sea

Other contribution to scientific project/program:

1. SCOR – working group 139 Organic Ligands—A Key Control on Trace Metal Biogeochemistry in the Ocean
2. PlanetSolar - DeepWater Project
3. Programme GEOTRACES