A warm CBIOMES-welcome to postdoc who recently moved to Dalhousie to work
by Helen Hill for CBIOMES
Dany’s research interest lies in the ecophysiology of microalgae, using photosynthesis as an entry point. He aims to decipher how different groups fine-tune photosynthesis over various timescales to exploit varying environmental conditions within their respective niches. Dany enjoys investigating how photosynthesis interacts with broader metabolic processes across groups, such as macromolecular composition, nutrient uptake, protein turnover, and more.
Dany’s role in Zoe Finkel and Andrew Irwin’s lab is to study different representatives of the Phaeocystis genus in lab monocultures. The aim is to better understand what makes this group so dominant in the ocean by examining species adapted to different latitudes, their acclimation to various abiotic gradients, and differences between life stages. The analysis will focus on macromolecular composition, growth rates, and photophysiology (using variable fluorescence).
Croteau completed his B.Sc. at Laval University, where an undergraduate research project on Arctic diatoms’ photoadaptive strategies across their seasonal succession evolved into an M.Sc. under the supervision of Johann Lavaud. He then pursued a Ph.D. at Sorbonne Université in Paris under the supervision of Benjamin Bailleul, focusing on reassessing our understanding of photosynthesis regulation—often based on plants—in diatoms.
Story image: In his free time, Dany enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and camping, spending time with friends, reading, and listening to music. He also loves traveling and is “always ready for an adventure.”