Dr Aimeric Blaud

Biography	Research Interest I am a lecturer in environmental microbiologist focusing on soil microbiology. I am interested in the roles of soil microorganisms (bacteria, archaea and fungi) in biogeochemical cycles (e.g. carbon, nitrogen cycles), and their spatial and temporal distribution in soils. In particular, I am interested in the environmental drivers that regulate microbial functions and their responses to anthropogenic activity (e.g. fertilisation, land use change) and global change. Since joining ENU, I extended my research interest to other areas such as: the development of biocontrol to potatoes cyst nematodes; the quantification of microplastic and associated microbiome in organic waste-derived material (e.g. sludge, compost) and soil; the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the environment (microplastic, soil, water); microbiome of food products (e.g. whisky fermentation, spinach); methane cycle and associated microorganisms in streams and peatland. My research relies extensively on DNA-based methods such as high-throughput sequencing coupled with bioinformatic to open the black box that microbial diversity represents in the environment. Teaching I am the module leader for Applied Environmental Microbiology in the UK and in Sri Lanka (3rd year). In this module, I am teaching environmental microbiology, terrestrial/aquatic microbiology, and molecular microbiology. I am module leader for the Honours project in Sri Lanka. I am the programme leader of the BSc (Hons) Microbiology & Biotechnology programme in Sri Lanka. I am also involved in the teaching of several modules, from 1st to 5th yr. Biography Lecturer in Environmental Microbiology: Edinburgh Napier (Sept 2018 - now) Postdoctoral researcher: Rothamsted Research Institute (2015 – 2018) “understanding and enhancing soil ecosystem services and resilience in UK grass and croplands” Postdoctoral researcher: The University of Sheffield (2013 – 2014) “Distribution, diversity and functions of microbial communities in soil aggregates in contrasting land uses” Ph.D: The University of Sheffield (2008 – 2012) “Responses of microbial communities to atmospheric nitrogen deposition within different soil horizons in High Arctic tundra”
Research Interests	Soil Microbiology Microbial ecology Microbial diversity Bacteria, archaea, fungi Biogeochemical cycles Nitrogen cycle Microplastics/Plastisphere Antimicrobial resistance Potato cyst nematode Soil aggregates Environmental (e)DNA
Teaching and Learning	I am the module leader for Applied Environmental Microbiology in the UK and in Sri Lanka (3rd year). In this module, I am teaching environmental microbiology, terrestrial/aquatic microbiology, and molecular microbiology. I am module leader for the Honours project in Sri Lanka. I am the programme leader of the BSc (Hons) Microbiology & Biotechnology programme in Sri Lanka. I am also involved in the teaching of several modules, from 1st to 5th yr.