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
Drivers 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 CiteGenome 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 CiteIntegrating 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 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.