Phytoplankton Physiology and Ecology

We study phytoplankton, the unicellular algae that are responsible for nearly all the photosynthesis in the ocean and half of the photosynthesis on earth. Our general goal is to understand the aspects of phytoplankton physiology that are most important for their survival and growth, or are important in the biogeochemical cycling of elements. Currently we are focusing on how phytoplankton acquire carbon for photosynthesis and how the mechanism of carbon acquisition affects their response to rising CO2. Other research topics include: iron limitation of phytoplankton and iron acquisition mechanisms, photosynthetic physiology, and phytoplankton ecology.