Microbiologist
BSc (University of Puerto Rico), PhD (University of Vermont)
Email sergio.morales@otago.ac.nz
Appointed: 2012
Research interests
Environmental microbiology, Microbial ecology, Soil microbiology, Marine microbiology, Microbial population and community ecology
Current research
My research utilizes molecular microbial ecology techniques and bioinformatics to tackle questions linked to environmental microbial communities. My interests centers on understanding what microbes are found where, why and the repercussions of their actions, specifically on biogeochemical cycles. I take advantage of time series to understand community assembly processes and their relevance on biogeochemical cycling.
My work uses two model systems
1. Agricultural systems
(mostly agricultural soils) and their links to microbial communities, specifically on their contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Marine ecosystems
I have co-developed the MOTS (Munida Microbial Observatory Time-Series) project.
https://www.otago.ac.nz/mots
This long-term ecological research site focuses on time series analysis of microbial communities within marine communities in the NZ Subtropical Frontal Zone.
Past and present funding
- Ministry for Primary Industries-EJP-Soils
- Ministry for Primary Industries-New Zealand Fund for Global Partnerships in Livestock Emissions Research
- Ministry for Primary Industries ERA-GAS
- National Science Challenges-Our Land and Water
- Callaghan Innovation
- The University of Otago
- Otago Energy Research Centre
- Mainland Minerals