Thomas Bell

Professor Thomas Bell is a Professor of Microbial Ecology at Imperial College London's Department of Life Sciences (Silwood Park), part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. His research focuses on microbial community dynamics, particularly biodiversity-ecosystem functioning, spatial patterns in bacteria, and predator-prey interactions. He leads studies on the impacts of environmental stressors like chemical pollution and climate change on microbial ecosystems. Affiliations include the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, the Grantham Institute, and the Microbiome Network.

His work integrates experimental and field-based approaches, exploring how microbial communities respond to temperature gradients, chemical mixtures, and agricultural stressors. Notable contributions include uncovering biomarkers for chemical pollution and modeling microbial adaptation under global warming. Current projects address zoonotic virus risks in bat populations and the functional resilience of microbiomes under environmental pressures.

Research highlights include a 2025 study on phylogenetic clustering as a pollution biomarker and a 2023 investigation into coronaviruses in UK bats. His lab collaborates with global networks to assess river ecosystems and develop tools for high-throughput microbial analysis.