The focus of my DPhil is an investigation of the mechanisms by which phytoplankton evolve and adapt to the lack of nutrients in the surface ocean (oligotrophy). Chlorophyta (green algae) are dominant eukaryotic primary producers in oligotrophic oceans that contribute significantly to CO2 fixation. They are expected to increase in abundance as the oceans warm, yet key members of this group have only recently been described. This limits our understanding of how they have evolved to inhabit nutrient poor waters and our ability to make predictions about how these important organisms might respond to global change. In my DPhil I integrate an experimental approach, measuring biochemical and physiological parameters, with a range of omics and metagenomics to answer these important questions.
My DPhil is with the Oxford Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP, funded by the St John’s College/UKRI Scholarship.