​Research in Dr. John Kelly's lab at Loyola University Chicago focuses on microbial ecology and the analysis of complex microbial communities. Microbial communities are present in every ecosystem on earth, and they have a tremendous impact on the function of many of these ecosystems. Many current environmental problems as well as many of their potential solutions are closely linked to microbial communities and their activities, yet remarkably little is known about the diversity and function of microbial communities in the environment. Our research uses state-of-the-art molecular techniques to gain insight into the structure and function of microbial communities in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We are especially interested in anthropogenic effects on microbial communities in freshwater ecosystems.