Marine Ecophysiology
Department of Marine Sciences
University of Georgia
We study the ecology and physiology of photosynthetic organisms in the ocean. Our lab focuses on phytoplankton, the unicellular algae that are responsible for nearly all photosynthesis in the ocean, and corals, which create coral reefs. Our general goal is to understand the aspects of these organisms' 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 and corals 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 ecology of phytoplankton and corals.