Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dutton Lab
Led by Christopher Dutton · Biology
What we study
The Dutton Lab studies how the microbes that live on and in ecosystems, animals, and people (microbiomes) affect health and conservation. They collect samples in the field in places like Kenya and Florida, then use sequencing and computer analysis (bioinformatics) with open‑source tools.
What working here is like
- Fieldwork
- Computational
- Bacteria & microbes
- Wild animals
- Coding helps
- Papers
- 5
Recent papers, explained
- Bioreactors on the Move: How Animals Contribute to Microbial Community Coalescence and Shape Ecosystem Function
2026 · Environmental Microbiology
Explains how animals mix microbes and environments, changing ecosystems.
- A Gradient of Wildlife Subsidies Alters Riverine Food Web Structure
2026 · Freshwater Biology
Tests how animal waste affects river food webs and ecosystem health.
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- Effects of Water Impoundments on the Distribution and Activity of Elephants in the Southern Kruger National Park
2026 · African Journal of Ecology
Studies how water sources affect elephant behavior in a South African park.
- The gut microbiome in early life predicts malaria susceptibility
2026 · Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Links gut bacteria in early life to malaria risk in young children.
- The ripple effect of surface water on dryland ecosystems
2026 · Trends in Ecology & Evolution
Plain-language summaries are AI-written and reviewed by us; check the paper for details.
How to reach out
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