

My research on fossil marine diatoms is focused on (1) taxonomy and morphology (including evolutionary trends), and (2) palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. These topics are not constrained by a particular time, space or diatom lineage – although there has been a recent shift towards Miocene studies. On the other hand, my research on living marine diatoms focuses on biogeography and ecology, notably of marine lakes and coral reefs. I have a broad interest in taxonomy, but have concentrated on Proboscia, Rhizosolenia, Paralia, Thalassiosira, Actinoptychus, and Rouxia. Apart from diatoms, some of my students are also studying haptophytes, silicoflagellates, parmales, ebridians and sponge spicules.