I am interested in a broad variety of themes, including:
The roles of soil biota in structuring plant communities with an emphasis on invasive plants
Biology and ecology of mycorrhizal symbioses
Co-evolution of plant-mycorrhizal symbioses
Invasive plant species management
Soil fertility and food quality
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Endophytes as drivers of plant invasions
Environmental pollution
Funding
I am currently funded by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Chairship in Invasive Species Biology), NSERC (Discovery Grant) the Invasive Species Centre (1 - Guidebook for invasive plants in Ontario, and 2 - Potential spread of Dog Strangling Vine to northern Ontario) and by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program).
In 2010, I obtained CFI funding (300k) for large walk in plant growth chambers and, in 2011, 350k to equip my lab with state of the art equipment for classical microbiology and metagenomics. This provides more opportunities for qualified B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. and Postdoctoral Fellows.
Equipment available
The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments for any kind of microbiological and PCR-based research. Excellent greenhouse and growth chamber facilities are also available.
Long-term field sites
Through the kind support of the Ministry of Natural Resources, I have secured (as of June, 2010) a long-term research site at the beautiful OFRI Arboretum, just 20 minutes away from the city of Sault. Ste. Marie (see photo below). The site represents a unique research opportunity, consisting of 5 ha of unmanaged grassland side-by-side with 3 ha of mix-deciduous forest, typical of Great Lakes forest region.
Yellow: Grassland (clay soil)
Red: Grassland (Sandy-loam soil)
Purple: Forest