Suzanne Dufour

Suzanne Dufour is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Memorial University of Newfoundland and currently serves as Acting Associate Dean of Science. Her research focuses on marine chemosymbiosis and bioturbation, particularly in thyasirid bivalves and their bacterial symbionts.

• Education:
  • PhD in Biology, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (2003)
  • MSc in Biology, Université de Moncton (1998)
  • BSc in Biology, Université de Moncton (1996)

Her research interests include:

• Anatomical and genetic studies of chemosymbiotic bivalves in organic-enriched marine environments
• Benthic impact assessment of aquaculture operations through microbial community analysis
• Evolution of feeding structures in bivalves across diverse habitats
• Biogenic sediment structures analyzed via CT-scanning and 2D optodes

Recent publication trends indicate strong emphasis on microbial ecology in symbiotic systems and environmental monitoring of aquaculture sites.

Students in her lab have explored topics ranging from symbiont phylotype variation to reproductive cycles of deep-sea organisms. Her teaching portfolio includes BIOL 2122 - Biology of Invertebrates and BIOL 3711 - Principles of Marine Biology, with occasional field-based courses at the Bonne Bay Marine Station.