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
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2017 - Present
Marine Science and Conservation,
Nicholas School of the Environment
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 CiteEvidence for Kilometer-Scale Biophysical Features at the Gulf Stream Front
Journal Article Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans · March 1, 2024 Understanding the interplay of ocean physics and biology at the submesoscale and below (<30 km) is an ongoing challenge in oceanography. While poorly constrained, these scales may be of critical importance for understanding how changing ocean dynamics will ... Full text CiteImportance of Dense Aquatic Vegetation in Seasonal Phosphate and Particle Transport in an Agricultural Headwater Stream
Journal Article Water Resources Research · September 1, 2023 Agricultural headwater streams and ditches commonly host dense stands of aquatic vegetation that grow and decay over seasons and exert physical and biological controls on the transport of nutrients from cropland to larger rivers. This study examined change ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Development of high value bioproducts and enhancement of direct-air capture efficiency with a marine algae biofuel production system
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Department of Energy · 2020 - 2026REU Site: Undergraduate Research in Estuarine and Coastal Marine Systems
ResearchSenior Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2021 - 2025Carbon utilization efficiency in marine algae biofuel production systems through loss minimization and carbonate chemistry modification
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Department of Energy · 2018 - 2024View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Duke University ·
2004
Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ·
1994
B.S.