Nigel D'Souza

Nigel D'Souza serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies & Sciences and Department of Biology at Gonzaga University, where he bridges microbial ecology with environmental science through field-based research on aquatic ecosystems. His work examines how microorganisms maintain planetary functions and respond to anthropogenic stressors including pollution and climate change across marine, estuarine, and polar environments.

His academic foundation includes:

• Ph.D. in Biology from Bowling Green State University (2012)
• M.Sc. in Zoology (Molecular Biology specialization) from University of Pune, India
• B.Sc. in Microbiology from University of Pune, India

Dr. D'Souza's research centers on microbial ecophysiology, investigating ice-associated microbes in the Great Lakes and Antarctica, oil spill impacts in the Gulf of Mexico, and planktonic responses to multiple stressors like heavy metals and climate change drivers. He employs integrated lab-field approaches to study microbial roles in biogeochemical cycles, emphasizing how human activities disrupt these critical ecosystem functions. His work spans from diatom physiology under climate stressors to microbial community dynamics following environmental disturbances.

Analysis of his 2012-2022 publications reveals consistent focus on microbial adaptation in changing aquatic systems, with significant contributions on winter diatom blooms in ice-covered lakes, oil spill biogeochemistry, and hurricane-impacted microbial processes. His research demonstrates how microbial communities serve as both indicators and mediators of ecosystem health under anthropogenic pressure.

Dr. D'Souza teaches foundational courses including Earth Systems (ENVS 110), Case Studies in Environmental Science (ENVS 200), and Ecotoxicology (BIOL 399), fostering critical thinking about human-environment interactions. He actively recruits students for research on microbial ecology and pollutant impacts, though specific advising records and grant details aren't documented in available materials.

His Gonzaga-based research group conducts laboratory and field investigations into aquatic microbial responses, utilizing molecular and physiological techniques to address global environmental challenges through a microbial lens.