John Hassett
University of Michigan
Enrollment Year: 2005
Atmospheric Mentor: Jerry Keeler, University of Michigan
Biospheric Mentor: Don Zak, University of Michigan

Research Topics:
Microorganisms in soil mediate critical links between the atmospheric and terrestrial nitrogen and carbon cycles.  Human alteration of the global N cycle has resulted in the emission of reactive N (N_r) into the atmosphere, and these N species may elicit changes in the expression of genes that mediate lignin decay by soil fungi.  It is therefore possible that N pollution may feedback onto organic decomposition and ecosystem C storage by altering microbial gene expression.  I propose to investigate this possibility by performing genomic analyses of hardwood forest receiving experimental NO₃ deposition to determine changes in the activity and diversity of lignin-degrading soil fungi.

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