James Joseph Moran

James Joseph Moran is an Associate Professor at Michigan State University with joint appointments in Integrative Biology and the Ecology, Evolution & Behavior Program. His research specializes in applying stable isotope analysis (C-13, N-15, O-18) to biogeochemical processes, microbial ecology, and chemical forensics, with particular focus on nutrient exchange in rhizospheres and spatially resolved analytical techniques.

Research interests include:

• Advanced stable isotope methodologies for environmental analysis
• Microbial community dynamics in soil systems
• Chemical forensic applications of isotope tracing
• Development of novel instrumentation for spatial mapping

Recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches combining omics technologies, spectroscopy, and computational modeling to study carbon/nutrient cycling across diverse ecosystems from peatlands to aquatic environments.

Laboratory achievements include:

• Establishment of the Stable Isotope Core Facility
• Development of laser ablation-IRMS techniques
• Novel approaches for enzyme activity mapping