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
Recent Publications
Supranutrition of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D<sub>3</sub> Affects Intestinal Structure and Function of Broiler Chickens.
Journal Article The Journal of nutrition · January 2026 BackgroundImpacts of supranutritions of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 on nutritional physiology of small intestines of chickens remain unclear.ObjectivesThe study was to deter ... Full text CiteValidation of a modified Landry-Hassett dilution technique to quantify the growth and mortality rates of subpopulations of planktonic microbes
Journal Article Frontiers in Marine Science · January 1, 2026 Due to their importance in global ocean ecology and biogeochemistry, much is known about the abundance and diversity of marine microbes and this data informs our studies of microbial genetic variability and niche partitioning. However, much less is known a ... Full text CiteDrivers of Marine Phytoplankton Diversity and Connectivity in the Galápagos Archipelago Spanning an ENSO Cycle.
Journal Article Environmental microbiology · July 2025 The Galápagos Islands are a biodiversity hotspot, largely due to the Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC) which supplies nutrient-rich waters to the euphotic zone and supports enhanced levels of primary productivity performed by phytoplankton. Understanding phyto ... 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.