Dr. Christopher Francis's research interests center on the molecular, biogeochemical, and ecological aspects of the microbially-mediated cycling of nitrogen and metals in the environment. In particular, the major research avenues actively pursued in Dr. Francis's laboratory are focused on examining the diversity and activity of microorganisms involved in manganese cycling, denitrification, and especially nitrification within coastal, estuarine, and select terrestrial systems. The lab uses a combination of molecular, genomic, cultivation, and biogeochemical approaches to study functionally-important groups of bacteria and archaea in both the laboratory and the field.