Robicheau Lab

We study the ecology and genomics of environmental microbes. Based in UPEI’s Biology Department, our lab investigates the community dynamics of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phytoplankton, viruses, and marine fungi across spatial, temporal, and taxonomic scales. Much of this research centres on 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.

Studying aquatic microbes is essential for mapping microbial biogeography and biodiversity, uncovering novel species interactions, and revealing the biology of understudied microbes—particularly their specific roles in carbon and nitrogen fixation within biogeochemical cycles 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.