Installation Grant
One feature that has a major impact on the calcite production of coccolithophores, and perhaps on their global success, has received little attention: their unique life cycle. They have a haplo-diplontic life cycle, in which diploid and haploid phases reproduce independently by mitosis. These two life cycle phases differ in their morphology, carbon content, and ecology, but there is little information about their haploid phase. Without a clear understanding of the role of the coccolithophore life cycle in the oceanic carbon cycle, we risk underestimating the impacts of global climate change.
ABOUT ME
My research interest focuses on phytoplankton and its role in the global biogeochemical cycles. My main motivation is to find out how is it possible that such tiny creatures have such power to shape the marine environment, the world’s food supply, and in the end even climate.
Work I’ve done spanned many aspects of phytoplankton research, from taxonomy and description of a new species to community analysis, cycles of carbon and phosphorus, and responses of single species to different stressors. At Bigelow, I was working on the carbon cycle and coccolithophore mixotrophy in the marine environment. At my new position, I plan to continue on that path.
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CV is available upon request.
PhD, University of Zagreb
Interdisciplinary Doctoral study in Oceanology.
Dissertation Thesis: Importance, biodiversity and dynamics of coccolithophores in the coastal area of the north-eastern Adriatic Sea.
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Dipl. ing., University of Zagreb
Ecology, Division of Biology.
Diploma Thesis: Nanophytoplankton of the Rogoznica lake.
Species diversity, population dynamics, physiology.
Coccolithophores and diatoms.
Species succession and environmental factors influencing their dynamics.
Modes of nutrition: mixotrophy.