My research focuses on using the molecular and isotopic composition of organic biomarkers to understand the source, cycling and fate of organic compounds in the present and past ocean. Current projects include:

1. Development of new compound-specific radiocarbon dating methods to determine the age of sedimentary organic matter.
2. Analysis of the radiocarbon composition of lipid biomarkers from bacteria and archaea to understand their metabolism and ecology.
3. Identification and isotopic analysis of organic compounds in diatom frustules.
4. Investigation of the relative importance of ammonia oxidizing archaea and bacteria in the environment.
5. Polar lipids as biomarkers of terrestrial organic carbon deposition in marine sediments.