Assistant Professor Jean-Philippe Gibert’s research delves into the ecological roles of protists — microscopic, unicellular organisms with a combined biomass greater than that of all animals on Earth. Protists significantly influence carbon cycling and, depending on their environment, can act as both sources and sinks of CO₂. This dual role positions them as key players in understanding how ecosystems respond to climate change.
In 2024, Gilbert was awarded a $900,000 NSF Early Career Award. His research aims to disentangle how genetic variation, environmental factors, and gene-environment interactions drive protists’ adaptations to temperature changes. These insights could reveal how climate-driven adaptations impact broader food webs and ecosystem dynamics.