Laura Halbach

My research explores microbial interactions, primary production, and nutrient cycling in diverse aquatic ecosystems, spanning from coastal habitats in the tropics to polar fjords and glacier surfaces like the Greenland Ice Sheet.

Currently, my research focuses on understanding the role of N₂-fixing microorganisms (diazotrophs) in nitrogen supply and primary productivity within coastal habitats, particularly seagrass meadows. Seagrasses provide various ecosystem services such as nurseries for fish, and are also biogeochemically important as sinks for atmospheric carbon dioxide, and are hence called blue carbon ecosystems. These plants thrive in nitrogen-poor waters, and the presence of N₂-fixing symbionts, converting inert N₂ gas into bioavailable ammonia, is likely crucial for their success and productivity. While symbiotic relationships between N₂-fixing organisms and terrestrial plants are well-established, our understanding of similar associations in marine environments is still evolving.

I study the abundance, function, and diversity of N₂-fixing symbionts in seagrass species such as Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa in the Mediterranean Sea as well as Thalassia testudinum in the Caribbean Sea.

I utilize a combination of chemical, molecular, and single-cell imaging techniques such as secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and scanning electron microscopy linked to electron X-ray energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS).

As one of the elected Ombudsperson at our institute, I try to help implementing good scientific practices and guard against irregularities in the science system, which often early career researchers are facing. 

I am interested in teaching, as part of the Marmic Master's program, I give workshops on research integrity and help teaching the biogeochemistry lab work.