Dani Cox, Ph.D

Research

My research looks at the role of epiphytic bacteria living on macroalgae in the degradation of phosphonates as an alternative nutrient source in oligotrophic environments. The majority of my work has been based in Bermuda at the BIOS station where I focus on the break down of methylphosphonate by pelagic Sargassum rafts, though I will be expanding upon this by testing other phosphonates and seaweed species as well. I am particularly interested in determining the fate of the resultant hydrocarbon byproduct, identifying the key microbial groups responsible for this mechanism, and understanding the pervasiveness of this mechanism being utilized by holobionts in various environments.