Robicheau Lab

We study the ecology and genomics of environmental microbes. Based in UPEI’s Biology Department, our lab explores the community dynamics of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phytoplankton, viruses, and marine fungi across spatial, temporal, and taxonomic scales. Much of our research is anchored in time-series sampling of marine ecosystems.

For key microbial players, we also dive further: cultivating understudied microbes in the lab and sequencing their genomes to uncover new insights into microbial metabolism, evolution, seasonal dynamics, and overall ecological function. Our research integrates classical culture-based methods with advanced molecular approaches, including high-throughput genomic sequencing, metabarcoding, metagenomics, and qPCR. We also collaborate with other academic labs to expand into transcriptomics and proteomics.

Understanding microbial communities in aquatic systems is critical. Studying these communities allows us to map microbial biogeography and biodiversity, helps us uncover novel microbial interactions, and can shed light on the biology of understudied microbes and their specific roles in biogeochemical cycles—particularly in the fixation and cycling of carbon and nitrogen in our oceans.

We are always interested in connecting with potential collaborators and graduate students! If you are a UPEI undergrad student interested in conducting research in our lab, please also feel free to contact us.