Microplastic pollution has garnered considerable research attention over the past ten years, with a large focus on marine systems. The ecological effects of microplastics in inland waters are starting to become emphasized more in freshwater sciences. An estimated 80% of coastal plastic debris comes from inland areas, highlighting how freshwater systems, specifically streams, are hotspots for plastics and microplastics. Microplastics have been reported to be acutely toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Despite this, our understanding of the ecological consequence of microplastic pollution is lacking compared to other research priorities (occurrence, distribution, fate). In our lab, we aim to understand how microplastics impact symbiosis of keystone freshwater species, specifically native and invasive crayfish.

Biogeochemistry is the study of how chemical elements flow through living systems and their physical environments. Biogeochemical processes are largely governed by microbial communities within sediment and soil. Due to anthropogenic influence, we are currently living in the Anthropocene, where human activity is the dominant influence on the environment and climate. As a result of human activity, our environment is plagued with various synthetic chemicals at low levels that may impact microbial communities responsible for various biogeochemical processes. We aim to understand how different contaminants in single and mixture exposures impact microbes ability to facilitate biogeochemical processes.