Researcher in plant and microbial ecology, Geneviève Lajoie is particularly interested in the ecology and evolution of symbiotic relationships between plants and their microbiota. Her multidisciplinary research enhances our understanding of the interactions between species.
- Research botanist at the Jardin botanique
- Adjunct professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, Université de Montréal
- Affiliations:
- Institut de recherche sur les forêts of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Québec Centre for Biodiversity Science (QCBS)
- Programme de formation en sciences et services de la biodiversité computationnelle (BIOS2)
- See her publications on her webpage.
Areas of research and expertise
- Evolutionary and functional ecology
- Plant-microbe symbioses
- Microbial diversity of the phyllosphere
- Organism response to climate change and urbanization
Education
Postdoctoral in Biology, 2020-2021
University of British Columbia
Doctorate in Biology, 2020
Université du Québec à Montréal
Master’s in Biology, 2014
Université de Sherbrooke
Bachelor’s in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 2012
McGill University
A better understanding of the relationship between plants and microbes
Geneviève Lajoie’s research at the Jardin botanique focuses on the ecology and evolution of symbiotic relationships between plants and their microbiota. In particular, her laboratory seeks to understand which types of microbes associate with plant leaves and the physiological traits that enable them to thrive in this lifestyle.
Lajoie’s team is also investigating how plant microbiota can help prevent plant diseases at the Jardin botanique.
The applications of microbial ecology research are particularly relevant to the major environmental challenges of our generation, from improving human and plant health to maintaining the quality of air, water, and soil.