Ecological Drivers for the Assembly and Dynamics of Microbial Communities Across Biomes

Understanding the ecological drivers of microbial community assembly and dynamics is fundamental to predicting its behaviour. Such knowledge can even enable the design and engineering of microbial communities for applied purposes, from bioremediation to human health. This project applies ecological concepts like viral predation and keystone functional roles to elucidate the mechanisms governing microbial community assembly and dynamics across Earth's biomes. To achieve this, the project develops novel computational methods (ViroFrac, new keystone functionality framework) and applies them across biomes to compare patterns of viral diversity, functionality and their impacts on microbiome dynamics. By integrating viral ecology, functional guild analysis, and environmental correlations, this work aims to advance our understanding of how ecological drivers shape microbial communities. Additionally, it will provide practical tools for predicting and analyzing microbiome function across diverse ecosystems.

PhD start: 09/12/2025