Research Interests
Phytoplankton form the basis of all research conducted
by our group, whether we are in the laboratory or
the field.
Projects are diverse; from examining trace
elemental-phytoplankton interactions at the cellular
level to mapping phytoplankton responses to changes
in freshwater inflows in important Texas estuaries
and the Gulf of Mexico on large spatial and temperal
scales, to their transport around the globe in
ballast water.
Current Projects
Phytoplankton Elemental Profiles - Although all
phyto-plankton use essentially the same nutrients and
trace elements for growth and reproduction, when grown
under identical conditions for growth and reproduction,
distinct stoichiometric signatures may be assigned.
(to learn more click here)
Gulf of Mexico - The most infamous "dead zone"
develops in the Gulf of Mexico each summer, threatening
fisheries. This dead zone is an area of anoxic and
hypoxic water thought to develop because an excess of
nitrogen from farm fertilizers, sewage and emissions
from vehicles and factories enters the gulf
predominately via the Mississippi River.
(to learn more click here)
Galveston Bay - A large estuary located along
Texas's upper coast fed by the Trinity and San Jacinto
Rivers, numerous local bayous and incoming tides from
the Gulf of Mexico. The bay covers 1,500 km², is about
50 km long and 27 km wide, and only 3 m deep in most
locations.
(to learn more click here)
Texas Bayous - With Offatts Bayou and Dickinson
Bayou close to our campus we have excellent research
opportunities delving in to the ecological, microbial
and environmental conditions of these sensitive areas.
(to learn more click here)
Ballast Water Program - Worldwide, concerns by
business, government and the private sector regarding
transport-ecosystem interactions focus on the
introduction of hazardous materials from ship ballast
water, particularly exotic and/or invasive species.
(to learn more click here)
Texas Algal Biofuels Program - The first meeting
to discuss Algal Biofuels Programs in Texas was held May
18-20, 2008, at The Cook’s Branch Conservancy in Montgomery,Texas.
(to learn more click here)