Heidi Abresch

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Currently, I am researching the how diatoms in the family Rhopalodiaceae have evolved with their N-fixing cyanobacterial endosymbionts. My focus is primarily on understanding how the host and endosymbiont are integrated genetically and metabolically.

More broadly, I am interested in “evolutionary grey areas” and evolutionary transitions. In particular, I love thinking about how tight-knit (endo)symbiotic relationships evolve, especially protist-prokaryote symbioses. My focus is on understanding the basic biology of these relationships. Learning about these processes and organisms has direct ties to understanding microbial impact on their environments.

I love all things microcosmos and algae.