"From Satellites to Microscopes: Studying Phytoplankton"
with guest scientists Ajit Subramanian and Andrew Juhl

     Three-quarters of our planet is covered with water, and phytoplankton form the base of all ecological systems in oceans and other water bodies. Drs. Andrew Juhl and Ajit Subramanian investigate many aspects of these tiny, but essential organisms using techniques ranging from microscope observations to distribution patterns monitored using the SeaWIFS and other satellites.

       Dr. Juhl notes that in order to understand  populations of marine phytoplankton one has to understand both the things that make them grow and the things that make them die.  He is  interested in how the physical environment affects the growth and physiology of marine phytoplankton and also how phytoplankton populations are affected by their predators.  He has primarily worked with toxic algae and have recently started working with algae that live in sea ice. He lecture will focus on how phytoplankton fit into the marine food web.

     Join us to gain greater understandings of how these microorganisms function and their impact on the more visible world.

Here is the link to Dr. Subramanian's Oct 2004 Workshop, which explored some of these ideas.