1. Examining how bacteria communicate and coordinate gene expression by exploring the diversity of genes involved in bacterial cell density dependent gene regulation and how these processes affect microbial community functional diversity in numerous ecosystems.
2. Exploring the potential of using novel nanotechnology-based therapeutics as an alternative to traditional antibiotic treatment of infectious bacterial infections.
3. Understanding how a rapidly expanding urban landscape is affecting the structure and function of microbial communities found throughout South Carolina watersheds. Because urbanization ultimately results in increased runoff of pollutants into the environment, we are examining the genetic capability of bacteria to degrade numerous priority pollutants as well as understanding how these emerging pollutants may be affecting the distribution of bacterial pathogens in the environment.
4. Using state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technologies to explore the metagenomes of marine stromatolites and hypersaline microbial mats.

Norman, R.S. , J.W. Stone, A. Gole, C.J. Murphy, and T.L. Sabo-Attwood. 2007. Targeted photothermal lysis of the pathogenic bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa using gold nanorods. Nano Letters, In Prep.

Norman, R.S. , B. Bey, P. Visscher, A.W. Decho. 2007. A functional genomic approach to understanding quorum sensing in the SRB, Desulfovibrio sp. In Prep.

Norman, R.S. , P. Visscher, A.W. Decho. 2007. Sequencing the draft genome of the SRB, Desulfovibrio sp. H2.3JLac. In prep.

Chadhain, S.M., R.S. Norman, K.V. Pesce, J.J. Kukor, and G.J. Zylstra. 2006. Microbial dioxygenase gene population shifts during polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation. (co-first author) Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 72:4078-4087.

Norman, R.S. , P. Moeller, T.J. McDonald, and P.J. Morris. 2004. Effect of pyocyanin on a crude oil-degrading microbial community. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 70: 4004-4011.

Norman, R.S. 2003. The effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the functional diversity of a crude oil-degrading microbial community. Doctoral Dissertation.

Norman, R.S. , R. Frontera-Suau, and P.J. Morris. 2002. Variability in Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide expression during crude oil degradation. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68: 5096-5103. .

Norman, R.S. 1999. Molecular determination of the microbial community structure associated with the dechlorination of 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorobiphenyl. Masters Thesis.