Mathilde Godefroid

Dr. Mathilde Godefroid is a Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, affiliated with the Department of Biogeochemistry led by Prof. Dr. Marcel Kuypers. Her work focuses on understanding physiological responses of marine organisms, particularly scleractinian and antipatharian corals, to environmental changes such as ocean acidification, warming, and thermal stress. She employs advanced techniques like microsensor measurements and imaging (e.g., Particle Image Velocimetry, NIR imaging) to study coral-microbe interactions and biogeochemical processes. Her research bridges ecophysiology and biogeochemistry, addressing critical questions about coral resilience in changing marine environments.

Her current project investigates how ciliary flows influence coral responses to environmental shifts, integrating laboratory experiments with field observations. Past studies have explored symbiotic relationships in black corals, thermal tolerance across species, and the impacts of ocean acidification on tropical corals. She collaborates internationally, contributing to global comparative studies on coral resilience.

Publications highlight her expertise in mesophotic coral ecosystems, symbiont dynamics, and experimental methodologies for studying deep-sea and shallow-water corals. Her work emphasizes both fundamental science and applied marine conservation, addressing how physiological and ecological factors shape coral survival in a changing climate.