How does turbulence control the size of aggregates of Trichodesmium, a key ocean fertilizer?
Contact: Dr. Jonasz Słomka
The goal is to expose Trichodesmium cultures to controlled mixing levels and observe, through microscopic imaging, how mixing impacts aggregation.
Applying a novel microfluidic membrane device to the characterization of biofilm hydraulic resistance
Contact: Dr. Sam Charlton, Dr. Eleonora Secchi
The goal is to compile a dataset of hydraulic resistances and structural properties of bacterial biofilms using a library of biofilm ECM mutants. There is flexibility for the student to suggest complementary experiments using the microfluidic platform.
Quantifying the Relevance of Fine-Scale Hydraulics for Fish Stranding from Field Experiments
Contact: Joël Wittmann, Dr. Luiz Silva
The goal of the Master Project is to quantify the hydraulic variables with high resolution from the raw data and to statistically assess their relevance for stranding.
Biophysics of bacteria-phytoplankton interactions
Contact: Riccardo Foffi, Dr. Jonasz Słomka
Perform agent-based simulations of bacteria-phytoplankton systems, investigating how different physical properties (bacterial speed, swimming strategy, phytoplankton shape and size…) modulate uptake and interaction rates. There is flexibility for the student to suggest complementary studies.
Assessing the impact of groundwater policies on groundwater dynamics in Fergana, Uzbekistan
Project in collaboration with the consulting company Hydrosolutions.
Contact: Dr. Beatrice Marti, Dr. Joaquin Jimenez-Martinez
To update and refine an existing water balance of the Sokh aquifer and the corresponding numerical groundwater model of the Sokh aquifer in the Fergana Valley and evaluate the impact of water policy changes and water management projects.
How often do bacteria exchange genes in aquatic environments?
Contact: Dr. Jonasz Słomka
Completion of the development of a method to measure the frequency of bacterial conjugation events as a function of the conjugation rate and its application in varying conditions.