Life in a drop of water
September 16th 2017
Plankton includes all organisms (algae, animals, bacteria) that drift with ocean currents. They are unbelievably abundant and important within the marine environment. In fact, most of the earth’s biomass consists of plankton adrift in the oceans. Join us and meet a local marine zooplankton specialist to observe and learn about those wonderful and amazing organisms.
Credit: Phil Corso (http://www.somas.stonybrook.edu/2015/04/19/stony-brook-students-step-up-to-study-lake/comment-page-1/)
Interviewing Darcy
Where did you go to school?
I obtained my Ph.D in University of Maryland, College Park.
What is your area of research?
My research addresses ecological problems related to marine invertebrates, especially copepods. I have focused on measuring and understanding the significance of variations in life history and physiology among estuarine copepod populations; e.g. as adaptive responses to age-specific mortality and water temperature. To understand the selective forces that may drive life-history variation, I have investigated planktonic trophic interactions, and have demonstrated the importance of predation in zooplankton feeding and population dynamics. I have used both laboratory studies showing the genetic basis of phenotypic variation among copepod populations, and field and modeling studies suggesting environmental factors that influence copepod fitness, to illustrate the significance of life-history variation.
Who or what inspired you to become involved in marine science?
What qualities do you think are important in order to become a scientist?
Why is your research topic important?
What will you be bringing with you to the “meet with an Oceanographer” day?
We will bring microscopes, sampling equipment, and some local water samples to look at!
What is the best advice you have for people interested in becoming involved in your field of research or in marine sciences?
What is your favorite ocean organism?
Want to learn more about Darcy’s work ? Visit her web page