Ashley’s research focuses on understanding the microbial response to human-driven disturbances in wetland, estuarine, and marine ecosystems. She is particularly interested in whether shifts in the microbial community translate to changes in ecosystem function, especially in relation to carbon and nitrogen cycling. Ashley’s work often takes a multi-faceted approach to address these questions, applying a range of interdisciplinary techniques that combine field work, controlled laboratory experiments, biogeochemical measurements, sequencing, and bioinformatics. Prior to coming to UNH, she taught Environmental Science and Oceanography at the high school level and will continue to explore her passion for innovative and inclusive pedagogical practices in STEM.
Courses Taught
- BIOL 402: Biology in our Daily Lives
Research Interests
- Microbial Processes
- Microbiome
- Biogeochemistry
- Estuarine Sciences
- Ecosystems
Selected Publications
Bulseco, A. N., Murphy, A. E., Giblin, A. E., Tucker, J., Sanderman, J., & Bowen, J. L. (2024). Marsh sediments chronically exposed to nitrogen enrichment contain degraded organic matter that is less vulnerable to decomposition via nitrate reduction. Science of The Total Environment, 915, 169681. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169681
Kim, C., Staver, L. W., Chen, X., Bulseco, A., Cornwell, J. C., & Malkin, S. Y. (2023). Microbial Community Succession Along a Chronosequence in Constructed Salt Marsh Soils. Microbial Ecology, 85(3), 931-950. doi:10.1007/s00248-023-02189-8
Vineis, J. H., Bulseco, A. N., & Bowen, J. L. (2023). Microbial chemolithoautotrophs are abundant in salt marsh sediment following long-term experimental nitrate enrichment. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 370. doi:10.1093/femsle/fnad082
Bowen, J. L., Giblin, A. E., Murphy, A. E., Bulseco, A. N., Deegan, L. A., Johnson, D. S., . . . Sullivan, H. L. (2020). Not All Nitrogen Is Created Equal: Differential Effects of Nitrate and Ammonium Enrichment in Coastal Wetlands. BioScience, 70(12), 1108-1119. doi:10.1093/biosci/biaa140
Allard, S. M., Costa, M. T., Bulseco, A. N., Helfer, V., Wilkins, L. G. E., Hassenrück, C., . . . Bowman, J. (2020). Introducing the Mangrove Microbiome Initiative: Identifying Microbial Research Priorities and Approaches To Better Understand, Protect, and Rehabilitate Mangrove Ecosystems. mSystems, 5(5). doi:10.1128/msystems.00658-20
Lynum, C. A., Bulseco, A. N., Dunphy, C. M., Osborne, S. M., Vineis, J. H., & Bowen, J. L. (2020). Microbial Community Response to a Passive Salt Marsh Restoration. Estuaries and Coasts, 43(6), 1439-1455. doi:10.1007/s12237-020-00719-y
Murphy, A. E., Bulseco, A. N., Ackerman, R., Vineis, J. H., & Bowen, J. L. (2020). Sulphide addition favours respiratory ammonification (DNRA) over complete denitrification and alters the active microbial community in salt marsh sediments.. Environ Microbiol, 22(6), 2124-2139. doi:10.1111/1462-2920.14969
Bulseco, A. N., Vineis, J. H., Murphy, A. E., Spivak, A. C., Giblin, A. E., Tucker, J., & Bowen, J. L. (2020). Metagenomics coupled with biogeochemical rates measurements provide evidence that nitrate addition stimulates respiration in salt marsh sediments. Limnology and Oceanography, 65(S1). doi:10.1002/lno.11326
Bulseco, A. N., Giblin, A. E., Tucker, J., Murphy, A. E., Sanderman, J., Hiller-Bittrolff, K., & Bowen, J. L. (2019). Nitrate addition stimulates microbial decomposition of organic matter in salt marsh sediments.. Glob Chang Biol, 25(10), 3224-3241. doi:10.1111/gcb.14726
Kearns, P. J., Bulseco-McKim, A. N., Hoyt, H., Angell, J. H., & Bowen, J. L. (2019). Nutrient Enrichment Alters Salt Marsh Fungal Communities and Promotes Putative Fungal Denitrifiers.. Microb Ecol, 77(2), 358-369. doi:10.1007/s00248-018-1223-z
Hiller-Bittrolff, K., Foreman, K., Bulseco-McKim, A. N., Benoit, J., & Bowen, J. L. (2018). Effects of mercury addition on microbial community composition and nitrate removal inside permeable reactive barriers.. Environ Pollut, 242(Pt A), 797-806. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2018.07.017
