James J. Moran

Affiliation

Michigan State University

Biography

Dr. Moran has been studying microbial and geochemical control of nutrient cycling in rhizosphere systems. These studies have utilized a series of light stable isotope (primarily C, H, and N) methods both with and without labeled substrate tracers. Specific instrument development efforts have led to design and construction of the laser ablation isotope ratio mass spectrometry system capable of making spatially prescribed stable isotope measurements over solid surfaces. Dr. Moran is also leading current efforts to develop extremely high sensitivity isotope measurements using capillary absorption spectroscopy having order of magnitude decreases in sample size requirements over traditional mass spectrometry approaches.