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Zackary Johnson

Juli Plant Grainger Associate Professor of Biological Oceanography and Marine Biotechnology
Marine Science and Conservation
135 Duke Marine Lab Rd., Duke Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC 28516

Overview


Our group broadly studies the abundance, diversity and activity of marine microbes. We are biological oceanographers, marine molecular ecologists, marine microbiologists and biogeochemists.  Our research focuses on the marine cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus, the most abundant phytoplankton in the open oceans and an excellent model marine microbe, as well as the biotechnological applications of marine microalgae.  We are at the Marine Laboratory as part of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Juli Plant Grainger Associate Professor of Biological Oceanography and Marine Biotechnology · 2023 - Present Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment
Associate Professor of Biological Oceanography and Marine Biotechnology · 2017 - Present Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment

In the News


Published August 14, 2015
New Duke-Led Consortium To Focus On Creating Food And Fuel From Algae

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Recent Publications


Genome assembly and annotation of microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica C018.

Journal Article Microbiol Resour Announc · February 11, 2025 The microalga Nannochloropsis is an important organism for algae-based biocommodity production of food, feed, and fuel, among other products. Using PacBio Revio, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated a 26.41 Mbp Nannochloropsis oceanica C018 genome. ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Integrating microbial communities into algal biotechnology: a pathway to enhanced commercialization.

Journal Article Frontiers in microbiology · January 2025 Microalgae are increasingly recognized for their potential in wastewater treatment and the sustainable production of feedstock for fuel, feed, food, and other bioproducts. Like conventional agricultural systems, algal cultivation involves complex microbial ... Full text Open Access Cite

The Piver’s Island Coastal Observatory – a decade of weekly+ observations reveal the press and pulse of a changing temperate coastal marine system

Journal Article Frontiers in Marine Science · January 1, 2025 Historically, oceanographic time-series have focused on long-term measurements of large open ocean gyres; yet, the coastal oceans, with their high productivity, tidal impacts, human feedbacks, and land-sea coupling, represent critical regions for predictin ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


REU Site: Undergraduate Research in Estuarine and Coastal Marine Systems

ResearchSenior Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2021 - 2025

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 2004 Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 1994 B.S.

External Links


Johnson Lab Web Page