William W. Mohn
Professor
B.A., Biology, Colgate University (1983); Ph.D., Microbiology, Michigan State University (1990); Research Associate, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa (1990-2); Visiting Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa (1992-3); Adjunct Professor, Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada (since 1998); Assistant Professor (1993-8), Associate Professor (since 1998), Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia
Email: wmohn[at]interchange.ubc.ca
Office Telephone: 604-822-4285
Fax: 604-822-6041
Address:
Room 4501
2350 Health Sciences Mall
Life Sciences Centre
Vancouver, BC
Canada
V6T 1Z3
Research Interests
The Mohn lab studies diverse topics in microbial ecology. We are elucidating bacterial degradation mechanisms for a range of organic compounds, including steroids and some pollutants. We are investigating how bacteria respond to and survive various stresses common to the soil environment, particularly stresses associated with soil drying. Finally, we are studying the composition of complex microbial communities in soil and marine environments and are working to understand how the composition of communities relates to the important ecological services provided by those communities. This work is relevant to the use of bacterial enzymes and whole bacteria for synthesis of useful chemicals and for cleaning up contaminated environments. The work is also relevant to sustainable management of forests and understanding microbial mediation of global change.