Working Groups
Zooplankton Ecology
Researchers: Ann Tarrant, Rubao Ji, Mei Sato, and Carin Ashjan.
Purpose: To study the physiology, distribution, and movements of zooplankton, and their relationships to the physical environment, other organisms, and biogeochemical cycles.
Larval Ecology
Researchers: Lauren Mullineaux, Kirstin Meyer Kaiser, Jesus Pineda, Carolyn Tepolt, Michael Neubert and Aran Mooney.
Purpose: Investigates the ecology of larval life stages, including their behavior, physiology, and settlement, and their role in population connectivity, invasions, and community resilience.
Harmful Algal Blooms
Researchers: Don Anderson, Mike Brosnahan, Mark Hahn, Neel Aluru, Mindy Richlen, Jed Goldstone, Dave Ralston, Harriet Alexander and Dennis McGillicuddy.
Purpose: Conducts research on marine and freshwater algae and cyanobacteria that are toxic or cause harm in other ways.
Virus
Researchers: John Waterbury, Virginia Edgcomb, James Wainaina, John Stegeman, Maria Pachiadaki, Samantha Coy, Stefan Sievert and Helen Fredricks.
Purpose: To discuss the ecology, evolution and biogeochemical role of viruses within the marine ecosystem.
Benthic Ecology
Researchers: Lauren Mullineaux, Jesus Pineda, Kirstin Meyer Kaiser, Stacey Beaulieu, Michael Neubert, Aran Mooney, Annette Govindarajan and Carolyn Tepolt.
Purpose: To study population models and distribution of benthic organisms and environmental factors influencing them.
Fish Ecology
Camrin Baun, Simon Thorrold, Mei Sato and Gregory Britten.
Purpose: To study fish organization and movements in oceanic ecosystems, their interaction with their environment, and best fisheries management practices
Modeling & Math
Researchers: Hal Caswell, Cabell Davis, Michael Neubert, Rubao Ji, Sam Laney and Gregory Britten.
Purpose: WHOI biologists are using modeling, ecological theory, and state-of-the-art computer systems to examine the ecological processes that lead to the complex spatial and temporal patterns of organisms in the marine environment. The research focuses on population and community dynamics, life-history theory, and interactions of marine populations with the physical environment. These studies are contributing also to an understanding of the demography of individual marine organisms, conservation biology, and the effects of pollutants on marine populations.
Protist Ecology
Researchers: Matthew Johnson, Heidi Sosik, Rebecca Gast, Don Anderson, Mike Brosnahan, Harriet Alexander and Virginia Edgcomb.
Purpose: To study the biology, ecology, behavior, and evolution of single cell eukaryotes in marine food webs, including phytoplankton, zooplankton, and mixoplankton.
Environmental Toxicology and Adaptation
Researchers: John Stegeman, Mark Hahn, Ann Tarrant, Neel Aluru, Jed Goldstone, Sibel Karchner, Christopher Murray
Purpose: To understand the molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which natural and pollutant chemicals disrupt biological systems, and the mechanisms by which marine animals can adapt to chemical and physical stressors in their environment.
Marine Mammal Ecology
Researchers: Michelle Shero, Aran Mooney, Mark Baumgartner, Laela Sayigh, Peter Tyack, Michael Moore
Purpose: To study marine mammal life history, physiology, and behavior. This includes energetics and interactions with prey, reproductive success, and study of marine mammal communication and impacts of ocean noise on behaviors.
Microbial Ecology and Physiology Group
Researchers: Harriet Alexander, Gregory Britten, Mike Brosnahan, Samantha Coy, Matthew Johnson, Maria Pachiadaki, Stefan Sievert, Heidi Sosik
Description: The Microbial Ecology and Physiology group investigates the diversity, metabolism and ecological role of bacteria, archaea, viruses and unicellular eukaryotes in marine environments, ranging from coastal waters to the deep ocean and subsurface. Research integrates field observations, laboratory experiments, molecular and biogeochemical approaches, and modeling to understand how microbial processes shape ocean productivity, nutrient cycling and climate-relevant dynamics, as well as how microbial interactions influence marine ecosystems.