Hanna Farnelid, Associate professor in marine ecology

My research interests are within aquatic microbial ecology with a focus on microbial diversity and functionality. I study phytoplankton and bacteria interactions with a focus on processes such as carbon and nitrogen fixation. In my research I use traditional microbial methods such as cultivation in combination with in situ studies and molecular methods. I am particularly interested in genetic microdiversity within microbial lineages and their consequences for ecosystem functioning.

Keywords: diversity, interactions, picoplankton, nitrogen fixation, nifH

Themes: 1, 2 and 3.

Javier Alegria

My research focuses on the seasonal and spatial dynamics of picophytoplankton (phytoplankton smaller than 2µm). This group has been understudied in the Baltic Sea. However, there is evidence that suggests that they have an important role in the ecosystem. In the four years of my Ph.D studies I will investigate how picophytoplankton respond to the environmental conditions, how they relate to the rest of the ecosystem and what is their ecological role. This information can not only increase the knowledge about the marine ecosystems today, but also help us predict how the climate change could change the Baltic Sea ecosystems.

Keywords: picocyanobacteria, seasonal dynamics, primary production, Baltic Sea; climate change.

Lina Mattsson

In my PhD I mainly work with outdoor pilot scale systems of local microalgal polycultures to evaluate their potential to reduce eutrophication effects by recovery of nutrients from various wastewater streams (leachate- and dairy water etc.). I also study how biotic and abiotic factors affect the seasonal succession of the microalgal communities and the production of algal biomass metabolites (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids). My research will contribute to developing biological solutions for sustainable coastal management of the Baltic Sea region in terms of eutrophication, climate change and food/feed production. 

Key words: microalgae, nutrient recovery, sustainability, seasonal dynamics, algal biomass.

Thomas Mollica

Within my 4-years Ph.D. I aim to investigate how the changes in plankton microbial communities will affect the ecosystem with a focus on the phosphorus cycle and food web efficiency. I will study the structure of plankton microbial communities, including stoichiometry of C:N:P:Si and gene expression of enzymatic processes and transporters linked to the phosphorus cycle. Based on the experiments I will perform and monitoring data, a comparison will be done between the three basins of the Baltic Sea.

Keywords: Phytoplankton, Bacteria, Communities, Phosphorus cycle, Food web efficiency.

thomas.mollica@lnu.se

Quyen Nham

I am doing PhD on mixotrophic microalgae cultivation for nutrient removal from wastewaters, carbon dioxide sequestration from flue gas and biomass production for feed. Microalgae have been reported to grow poorly in winters with low light and temperature. Mixotrophic mode has been considered to be a promising solution. I am looking into various organic carbon sources for polyculture and monoculture of mixotrophic microalgal species. The quality of the harvested microalgal biomass are investigated to be used as animal feed. My studies also focus on enzyme activity involving in mixotrophic growth as well as microalgae-bacteria interaction in each culture. The findings will contribute to optimizing sustainable wastewater treatment and biomass production in winters. 

Keywords: mixotrophic, microalgae, microalgae bacteria interaction, wastewater, monoculture, polyculture

Quyen.Nham@lnu.se

Christien Laber (Post-doc)

Christien received his PhD from Rutgers University where he studied ecosystem functions of viral infection in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. Christien has extensive experience of conducting experiments onboard scientific cruises and participation in large collaborative projects. He is also an enthusiastic science communicator and writes his own music. Christien works with both molecular based and bioinformatic methods to explore phytoplankton dynamics in the Central Arctic Ocean and the Baltic Sea.  

Laura Bas Conn (Laboratory technician)

I'm a veterinarian with a background in research within animal genetics. I have a master's degree in this field, where my previous work focused on exploring genetic traits that affect sporting performance in racing horses of different breeds. My most recent experience and my role in Hanna Farnelid and Catherine Legrand’s group is that of a laboratory engineer with main focus on molecular biology and genetic studies. I assist all members of the group in developing laboratory protocols and am involved in several projects related to molecular characterization of picophytoplankton and algae species. I also have a role in developing work routines and safety protocols for our laboratories.

Yelena Churakova

I am studying the contribution of various phytoplankton groups to the cycling of silicon in the Baltic Sea and other aquatic environments. Understanding the individual and cumulative contributions of known silicifiers, such as diatoms, and novel biosilicifiers like Synechococcus is important for constructing an accurate global biogeochemical silicon cycle. My research involves both lab and fieldwork and I am currently focused on determining who plays a role in silicon cycling. Later on, my focus will shift to studying the competitive dynamics of phytoplankton in relation to silicon. My research is part of a larger project that is reexamining what is known about the evolution of biosilicification in organisms throughout Earth’s history.

Key words: phytoplankton, biosilicification, silicon cycling, Baltic Sea

Eva Sörenson

I’m working with phytoplankton and bacteria associations and interactions, both in culture and in field studies. This is interesting because these microbes are very abundant and they are shaping ecosystem functions, such as providing larger organisms with essential nutrients through recycling. I want to find out how these organisms are responding to changes around them, be it by the functions of surrounding organisms or environmental factors, such as light and temperature. This is important, not only for predictions in a changing environment, but also for knowing how resilient microbial communites are.

Key words: Interactions, associations, phytoplankton, bacteria, Baltic Sea.