My DPhil research is supervised by Professor Ros Rickaby.
I aim to push forward with understanding the fundamental processes involved with calcification in the marine phytoplankton, coccolithophores. These unicellular organisms produce complex calcite scales (called coccoliths) in a Golgi-derived vesicle and have a strong genus-specific biological control on the coccolith morphology.
I am interested in learning about the molecular processes associated with intracellular calcification in coccolithophores. Specifically, I am interested in studying the process of pH regulation, transfer of ions, and the role of organic molecules in controlling the calcification process.
I am also interested in understanding the effect of ocean acidification on calcification and the ecological distribution of these organisms.