Meet our new PeerJ Section Editor – Xavier Pochon

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Xavier Pochon as our newest Section Editor for PeerJ Life & Environment’s Aquatic Biology Section.

Xavier is a team leader within the Molecular Surveillance, Biosecurity Group at the Cawthron Institute, New Zealand. He is also Associate Professor at the Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Xavier brings a wealth of expertise and experience to our editorial team, with a distinguished career spanning research and leadership roles. His extensive research portfolio encompasses a diverse range of applied and theoretical studies, addressing critical contemporary issues in marine science. From the development of cutting-edge molecular tools for environmental monitoring of various marine industries to the exploration of intricate coastal, pelagic and deep-sea ecosystems, Xavier’s work is at the forefront of aquatic biology research.

We caught up with Xavier to find out more about him, his research and his hopes for PeerJ’s Aquatic Biology Section.

Hi Xavier, thanks for agreeing to be a PeerJ Section Editor. Please can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a marine molecular ecologist with a deep love for the ocean and over 20 years of research experience. Originally from Switzerland, I’ve made New Zealand my home since 2012. My academic background includes coral reef symbioses, species diversity, and molecular ecology. I’m passionate about uncovering the secrets of aquatic life, and I’m excited to contribute to PeerJ as a Section Editor to share and learn from the brilliant minds in aquatic biology!

What research are you currently focusing on?

My primary focus lies in harnessing the power of environmental DNA (eDNA) and RNA (eRNA) to monitor aquatic ecosystems and revolutionize our ability to measure biodiversity changes, both on local and global scales, in response to various human-mediated impacts.

The field of eDNA and eRNA research is relatively new, and it has surged forward thanks to remarkable technological advancements over the last 10 years, particularly in high-throughput sequencing. These methods offer universal and cost-effective ways to not only measure biodiversity but also to detect invasive species, monitor environmental health, and uncover a plethora of critical ecological insights for nature-positive outcomes. This is a fast-moving and innovative field, and it’s gaining traction in government agencies and industries as a vital tool for environmental management.

While I’m currently involved in a multitude of projects ranging from lake conservation to marine biosecurity, I’d like to highlight three examples of my current research that I find particularly exciting:

Bacterial eDNA-based monitoring tool for aquaculture
10 years ago, we explored the use of eDNA metabarcoding as an alternative tool to traditional microscopy for measuring organic enrichment around salmon farms in New Zealand. This innovative method was developed alongside the traditional macrofaunal approach, confirmed through a decade of paired samples (eDNA and macrofauna) and systematically validated through robust compliance threshold analyses with local authorities. We’re proud to share that our bacterial eDNA-based benthic monitoring tool recently made its debut in resource consent monitoring at selected farms this past summer. Significantly, this represents one of the first example of an eDNA-based tool being used for compliance assessment in global aquaculture, marking an exciting milestone in environmental monitoring for the New Zealand industry and beyond.

Unlocking the mysteries of New Zealand’s eel migration
New Zealand’s longfin (Anguilla dieffenbachii) and shortfin (A. australis schmidtii) eels are taonga (treasured) species, yet their spawning sites and larval dispersal routes have remained elusive, making their life cycles one of the great unsolved mysteries among migratory species. Traditional satellite tracking methods have proven challenging with eels, leading us to employ a ground-breaking approach based on biochemical and molecular markers. Our aim is to construct a multifaceted model that integrates isotopes, eDNA and eRNA decay rates, in-field detections, and hydrographic data to trace the migration of eel larvae throughout the South-West Pacific region. This innovative methodology promises to shed light on eel early life histories, offering insights with far-reaching implications for eel conservation and management, both nationally and globally.

Sailing into the future of marine biodiversity monitoring
In a rapidly changing world where climate change poses a significant threat to our oceans, understanding how marine biodiversity responds to these changes is crucial. To this end, we’ve embarked on an exciting venture that involves outfitting ocean sailing vessels with user-friendly sampling toolkits designed to isolate eDNA from surface seawater samples. These kits are tailored for sailing boats (from yachters to racers), allowing for rapid capture and analysis of eDNA with minimal hands-on time—essential for sailors navigating the high seas. This eDNA provides us with a comprehensive picture of the lifeforms existing in a particular location, and with sufficient spatio-temporal data points, it unveils the regional to global scale of marine biodiversity shifts associated with climate change. While oceanographers develop models to predict these shifts, they often lack crucial biological data. Our project bridges this gap, offering valuable insights into marine biodiversity and ocean health.

What persuaded you to become a PeerJ Section Editor?

What motivated me to become a PeerJ Section Editor is rooted in a long-standing admiration for the journal’s principles and dedication to open-access publishing. My journey with PeerJ began back in 2014 when I published my first paper with them. The experience was enlightening, and I was drawn to PeerJ’s innovative approach to making scientific research accessible to the wider public. As someone deeply committed to the ideals of open access and the dissemination of scientific knowledge, PeerJ’s vision strongly resonated with me.

Over the years, my respect for PeerJ has only grown. I’ve been continually impressed by the journal’s commitment to high-quality, affordable publishing. The scientific publications produced here consistently exhibit excellence. Equally important, the PeerJ team’s professionalism and efficiency in guiding authors through the publication process have been outstanding. Submitting a paper or serving as an academic editor for PeerJ has always been a pleasure.

What truly sets PeerJ apart is its collaborative and collegial atmosphere. Reviewers and editors engage constructively, fostering a supportive environment that contrasts starkly with my experiences in other journals. For me, the journal’s impact factor takes a backseat to the true measure of success—the h-index—reflecting the impact of research within the scientific community.

My affection for PeerJ deepened with the introduction of the reviewers/editors tokens. This ingenious rewarding system has further streamlined the peer review process and is a testament to PeerJ’s commitment to continuous innovation in the world of open-access publishing. I’ve had the privilege of publishing 10 papers, 2 pre-prints, and editing 42 publications with PeerJ, and this remarkable journey has only reinforced my passion for the journal’s mission and values. PeerJ is not just a platform for publishing; it’s a home for those who believe in the transformative power of open-access science.

Are there any exciting areas of research you’d be particularly interested in seeing submitted to the journal?

I was really proud of the recent issue on eDNA/eRNA applications my esteemed colleagues and I put together in PeerJ earlier this year. This generated 17 awesome publications ranging from eDNA standardization methods through to ecogenomics and management applications. In general, I am looking for more opportunities to move eDNA and eRNA tools beyond developmental stages, right into real-world monitoring and management applications.

About PeerJ Sections

Sections are community led and exemplify a research community’s shared values, norms and interests. They provide topically curated content from PeerJ journals and are overseen by Section Editors, who oversee the articles published in their Section to ensure the journal maintains a fair peer review process and the highest standards of scientific practice in their fields.

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Interested in becoming a PeerJ Editorial Board Member? You can apply by getting in touch with our Editorial Community Manager, Lindsay Howell (lindsay.howell@peerj.com)