Current research

CAL POLY PIER Microbial Oceanography TIME-SERIES

Established in 2017, the goal of this time-series is to characterize the temporal variability in composition, abundance, biomass, size structure and molecular diversity of microbial communities in a nearshore coastal upwelling ecosystem. The resources and infrastructure at the Cal Poly Pier provide the foundation for this time-series. These additional measurements build upon a decade-long time-series of harmful algal bloom monitoring off the Cal Poly Pier. This time-series also provides an opportunity for Cal Poly students to be trained and educated in oceanographic sampling techniques, exemplifying Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy.

California Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring and Alert Program (HABMAP)

Weekly monitoring program, supported by the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) and Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS), to detect a suite of HAB species at the Cal Poly Pier. Weekly samples are collected by undergraduate students along with senior scientist Ian Robbins. You can check out the program website, find out more information about Cal Poly Pier monitoring, access the raw data, or view data.

Our HABs monitoring site is co-located with the Cal Poly Pier Shore Station supported by CeNCOOS and coordinated by Cal Poly oceanographers Ryan Walter (Physics) and Emily Bockmon (Chemistry).

Morro Bay Estuary Phytoplankton Monitoring

Established in 2023, this weekly monitoring program of phytoplankton at two sites within Morro Bay provides insight into the temporal and spatial patterns of HAB species within the estuary. The program is supported by the Morro Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP). Weekly samples are collected by Cal Poly undergraduate students along with MBNEP Staff. You can access the raw data here for the front and back of the bay. The HABs monitoring sites are co-located with the CeNCOOS-supported Morro Bay Shore Stations at the front and back of the bay.

GRAZEr and viral impacts on microbial growth and mortality

Microzooplankton grazers and viruses are the dominant predators of marine microbial communities and key structuring agents in ocean ecosystems. Using both cultured predator-prey systems and field experiments, we aim to quantify phytoplankton growth and mortality rates. In addition, we explore how variations in mortality processes influence both the overall structure of phytoplankton communities as well as resource allocation within phytoplankton populations.

DEEP-sea Microbial eukaryotes

Compared to pelagic ecosystems, deep-sea ecosystems such as methane seeps are in the early stages of exploration with regard to microbial community dynamics and diversity, especially when it comes to microbial eukaryotes. Using a combination of molecular and microscopy techniques, we work to characterize the distribution and diversity of microbial eukaryotes in relationship to geochemical and biological variables over scales ranging from centimeters to kilometers in seep sediments. Additionally, we have been working to elucidate the ecology and trophic interactions of deep sea folliculinid ciliates using stable isotopes and metagenomics.