Intellectual Merit & Research Goals

Through this collaborative research project, we hope to advance understanding of microbes and gelatinous grazers, carbon and energy flow in the ocean, and empower others to pursue research. Our team has received a grant from the National Science Foundation to understand the role of marine gelatinous animals (gelatinous grazers) in microbial distribution and community structure in the oceans. Our team is a collaboration across multiple disciplines within the field of biological oceanography, with expertise in gelatinous zooplankton (Dr. Kelly Sutherland, University of Oregon) and expertise in microbial ecology (Dr. Anne Thompson, Portland State University).