Dr Jen Wood is a Melbourne based microbial ecologist and co-lab head of the Applied and Environmental Microbiology research group at La Trobe University. Her interest is in developing ecological theories to deepen our understanding of soil microbial community dynamics, focusing on soil microbial traits and how they influence community assembly and ecosystem function. Traits are the distinctive physical and functional abilities of individual microbial species that can impact their environment and their community— for example, traits such as extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production support soil aggregation, while antibiotic production shapes competitive interactions within microbial communities.

By developing theory to predict when and where helpful microbial traits arise, Dr Wood’s work aims to inform the sustainable management of agricultural systems and ecological restoration projects, enhancing soil health, ecosystem resilience, and the provision of essential ecosystem services. 

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jen.wood@latrobe.edu.au | https://au.linkedin.com/in/ilikedirt