Laura Wegener Parfrey

Laura Wegener Parfrey is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Science, Department of Botany. She holds a Canada Research Chair Tier 2 and leads a research lab focused on microbial ecology of eukaryotic microbes (protists) and bacterial interactions in mammalian gut and coastal ecosystems.

• BS, State University of New York at Albany (2004)
• PhD, University of Massachusetts – Amherst (2011)
• Postdoc, University of Colorado – Boulder (2011-2013)

Her research spans two ecosystems: the mammalian gut, where she examines the 'normal' community of eukaryotic microbes and consequences of biodiversity loss; and coastal British Columbia, studying microbial colonization of marine hosts and impacts on ecosystem health. The lab integrates field surveys and experiments to explore host-microbe dynamics under climate change.

Recent publications highlight trends in kelp microbiome responses to environmental stressors, gut microbiome resilience in colitis models, and microbial successional dynamics across marine and terrestrial hosts. Key themes include microbial community structure, host specificity, and functional implications of biodiversity loss.

• Canada Research Chair Tier 2

Parfrey has mentored numerous graduate students, including Vincent Billy (PhD), Katherine Davis (PhD), and Evan Kohn (Undergraduate Honours Thesis). Her team includes current researchers like Siobhan Schenk (PhD) and Parker K Lund (PhD). Collaborative projects with the Hakai Institute and Sentinels of Change Alliance address coastal restoration and climate change impacts.