Enhanced carbon export driven by internal tides over the mid-Atlantic ridge (CarTRidge) (Funder: NERC)

A 2-.5 year (2024-2026) project led by the University of Liverpool addressing a missing element of the ocean's C-cycle: the impact of tidally induced nutrient fluxes into the deep chlorophyll maximum in the ocean's nutrient-limited subtropical waters. Research cruise (2025) examining growth, productivity, nutrient cycling and community response of deep photic communities to nutrient and light availability.

(Image: The blue of the open ocean)

Coccolithophore controls on ocean alkalinity (CHALKY) (Funder: NERC, BIO-Carbon)

A 3-year (2023-2026) project that I lead to investigate the influence of ecology, physiology and trophic interactions on how coccolithophores influence alkalinity and air-sea carbon dioxide fluxes. As well as making novel ship-based process measurements, CHALKY will utilise the autonomous platform Autosub (aka Boaty McBoatface) to measure the impact of biology on ocean chemistry. Research cruise to the Iceland Basin in summer 2024.

(Image: Emiliania huxleyi morphotypes)

Integrating Drivers of Atlantic Productivity (IDAPro) (Funder: NERC, BIO-Carbon)

A 3-year (2023-2026) project led by the University of Southampton, using a combination of ship-based, robotic and satellite platforms to improve our understanding of phytoplankton productivity. IDAPro aims to understanding the interactive drivers of net proimary production and ecosystem controls on the coupling of nutrinet use to ocean carbon uptake through net community production. Research cruises to the Iceland Basin in summer and autumn 2024.

(Image: Autosub (aka Boaty McBoatface) being launched)

Ocean - Improved Carbon Understanding (Funder: Innovate UK / EU Horizon 2020)

A 5-year (2022-2027) project to address uncertainties in the oceanic carbon cycle and develop new model parameterizations for future Earth System Models. Work package co-lead on the impact of Climate Multi-stressors, including assessment of biodiversity in the global carbonate pump and the relative sensitivity to climate change of different pelagic calcite producers.

(Image: Official Ocean-ICU logo)

Revealing coccolithophore trait diversity and its climatic impacts  (Funder: NERC)

A 3-year (2022-2025) project led by the University of Bristol using machine learning and statistical modelling to develop new models of coccolithophore ecology and oceanic calcite production. Providing achieved SEM biometric data and eco-physiological knowledge to assist in model development and testing.

(Image: Coccolithophore life stages, from de Vries et al. 2021)

Ocean Acidification in Singapore (Funder: MSFD)

A 4-year (2017-2021) collaborative project with Dr Patrick Martin and PhD student Rob Scott at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Involved experimental field work at the St. John's Island National Marine Laboratory (2019) examining the response of pelagic communities to pH and nutrient changes during the different monsoon periods.  

(Image: pre-dawn sampling with Singapore cityscape)

Sustainable Oceans, Livelihoods & food Security Through Increased Capacity in Ecosystem research in the Western Indian Ocean  (Funder: UKRI GCRF)

A 5-year (2017-2022) collaborative project with the National Oceanography Centre and Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Research cruise (Co-Chief) measuring productivity of the Agulhas Bank (2019).

website

(Image: RV Ellen Khuzwayo in Cape Town before cruise)

Controls over Ocean Mesopelagic Interior Carbon Storage (Funder: NERC)

A 4-year (2017-2021) multidisciplinary project to quantify the flow of carbon in the ocean's twilight zone with the National Oceanography Centre, British Antarctic Survey, and Liverpool and Southampton Universities. Field work at sea measuring upper ocean biogeochemistry around South Georgia (2017) and the Benguela Upwelling (2018).

website

(Image: CTD sampling in South Georgia)

Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics and fluxes over shelf systems (Funder: NERC & Defra)

A 3-year (2013-2016) multidisciplinary project quantifying Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry with the National Oceanography Centre, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, University of East Anglia,  and Southampton, Liverpool and Plymouth Universities. Involved a series of 3-cruises over 9 months (2014, 2015) to examine elemental uptake and recycling. I acted as Chief Scientific Office for the 2015 spring bloom cruise.

website 

(Image: Science team for 2015 research cruise)

Ocean Acidification impacts on surface biology and biogeochemistry (Funder: NERC, Defra, DECC)

A 5-year (2010-2015) multidisciplinary project examining Ocean Acidification impacts with the National Oceanography Centre, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, British Antarctic Survey, Marine Biological Association, and Southampton University. Involved cruises around the UK (2011), to the Arctic Ocean (2012) and Southern Ocean (2013) measuring primary production, calcite production and phytoplankton dynamics. 

website

(Image: Lab view during 2012 Arctic cruise)

What controls coccolithophore growth rates? (Funder: NERC)

A 3-year (2009-2011) individual fellowship examining how ecology and physiology impacts the upper ocean production of calcite by coccolithophores. Involved cruises to the Patagonian Shelf coccolithophore bloom (2009), Iceland Basin (2010) and around the UK (2011). 

(Image: CTD sampling RV Roger Revelle)

The Madagascar Experiment (Funder: NERC) 

An interdiscplinary Indian Ocean cruise to the Madagascar ridge and Reunion Island to examine biophysical interactions. I was involved in the 2005 cruise to measure phytoplankton community structure and pigments.

(Image: N2-fixer Trichodesmium as surface slick)

Equatorial Bio-complexity (Funder: NSF)

A US multidisciplinary project (2004-2006) examining the factors limiting productivity of the equatorial Pacific. I was inolved in the 2005 cruise, measuring primary production and calcite production with colleagues from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences.

(Image: On-deck incubators during dusk)

Atlantic Meridional Transect (Funder: NERC)

A long-term multidisciplinary programme undertaking oceanographic research in the Atlantic Ocean. My involvement was a post-doc (2002-2006) measuring productivity and community structure and as a PhD student (1998-2002) measuring community structure. Involved 7 cruises (1998, 1999, 2000,  2003, 2004, 2005).

(Image: Discovery in Cape Town before 2005 AMT)