Tremendous funding success for VOLT Center!
Last week was filled with great news, as four(!) of our Center postdocs were awarded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) postdoctoral fellowships!
Yunyao Ma
Quantifying nitrogen fixation by moss-cyanobacteria associations from community to global scale by developing a novel process-based modelling approach
I will develop a new process-based model incorporating nitrogen (N2) fixation in moss-cyanobacterial associations based on experimental observations from sites across the world and physiological mechanisms underlying moss-associated N2 fixation. Subsequently, I will apply this model to simulate the global pattern of N2 fixation and explore the mechanisms driving large variations in N2 fixation across different moss species.
The Acronym is GoNiS (Global Moss-Cyanobacteria Nitrogen Fixation Simulation)
Wanying Zhang
Reactive nitrogen and carbon Emissions From biocrusts at different Locations of the World
This project aims to quantify the sources of reactive nitrogen and carbon emissions from biocrusts across various global locations. By integrating field measurements with mechanistic modeling, we seek to establish empirical relationships between emissions and environmental factors. The goal is to improve regional and global-scale predictions of these emissions and enhance our understanding of their atmospheric and climatic implications.
The acronym REFLOW was chosen to reflect the dynamic exchange of reactive nitrogen and carbon between biocrusts and the atmosphere. Coincidentally, it also carries the meaning of reprocessing and refining—something that resonates with both the scientific goals of this project and my own growth as a researcher.
Mehrshad Foroughan
Volatiles in Lake Ecosystem
This project seeks to investigate VOCs dynamics in a lake ecosystem using advanced measurement technologies. The research outcomes will enhance our understanding of vital physical and biogeochemical processes in freshwater ecosystems, contribute to ecological theories, and introduce innovative aquatic monitoring practices based on VOCs variability.
The acronym comes directly from the title: VOlatiles in LAKe Ecosystems (VOLAKE).
Cecilia Costas Selas
Role of biotic interactions in the production and composition of VOCs in marine waters
The aim of this project is to study the biology behind VOC emissions in marine environments and in particular address the importance of biotic interactions: This includes the specific organisms producing VOCs, and under what circumstances, and how specific interactions influence VOC concentrations.
For the first time, I will combine novel mass spectrometry-based methods for VOC analysis with cutting edge molecular methods to identify interactions, taxa and functionalities (genes) involved in marine VOC production.
I will also address processes that affect plankton dynamics and the productivity of marine waters and associated VOC emissions that affect atmospheric composition and climate change.
MaRVOC is the abbreviation of MaRine VOC interactions project. It is also a nod to the word in Spanish/Galician for sea.
In addition, other VOLT researchers have also recently been awarded prestigious grants:
Last October, we welcomed Nasmille Larke-Mejía, who joined VOLT also with an MSCA, Microbial Isoprene Cycling Response in the Arctic. You can read more about her project on her website here (€ 230 774,40).
Yi Jiao, who has just finished his MSCA Exchange of Light alkenes and Alkyl halides from Arctic Tundra Ecosystem (€ 230 774,40), will remain at VOLT now as an Assistant Professor and a new PI, as he was just awarded a Villum Young Investigator grant that will allow him to hire a PhD student and a postdoc: Peatland Exchange of Atmospheric volatiles: Kinetics & Mechanisms (6.998.539 DKK). You can read more about his project and future plans here.
Associate Professor Kathrin Rousk and Assistant Professor Jing Tang got an early Christmas present last year from the DFF (Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond) in the form of two grants to hire postdocs: Is Moss the boss? (3.014.083 DKK), and Arctic Cooling from Anthropogenic and Natural Emissions (ARCANE) (3.167.595 DKK), respectively.
Congratulations to everyone on their great achievements!