SURF Mentoring

Potential projects/topics: Antarctic diatoms in an icy environment: We study phytoplankton (single-celled microscopic organisms at the base of the marine food web) ecophysiology (ecology & physiology) and biogeochemistry (CO2 sequestration and nutrient cycling). We aim to not only understand how phytoplankton respond to environmental changes, but to characterize the underlying processes driving their responses, such as photosynthetic pathways, carbon acquisition processes, and protein regulation. This project involves working with phytoplankton from Antarctica to monitor survival and competition strategies employed throughout the Austral winter season (where the sun does not rise for up to 6 months above the Polar Circle in Antarctica, creating a significant challenge for primary producers). Students will use a novel dynamic lighting system in combination with an experimental ice chamber to mimic conditions of sea ice formation and seasonal transitions experienced in the Southern Ocean and collect key physiological data while learning broadly applicable lab skills.

Potential skills gained: Students will learn skills in environmental and cell biological methodology (cell cultivation, flow-cytometry, spectrometry, fluorometry, data analysis in R) and wet chemistry (chemical dilutions, pipetting).

Required qualifications or skills: There are no required skills or courses required to students to work on this project. This project is best suited for students in a STEM or related major passionate about ecology.

Direct mentor: Graduate Student