M.Sc. Student

Research Interests

Size-Fractionated Phytoplankton dynamics in the Eastern North Pacific and Arctic Oceans: Implications for Ocean Biogeochemistry in a Warming World

My research focuses on investigating how phytoplankton size structure influences biogeochemical cycling across contrasting marine environments. Phytoplankton assemblages are composed of various size classes, each playing distinct roles in nutrient cycling and energy transfer through the marine food web. Smaller phytoplankton (20 µm), like diatoms, contribute significantly to biomass and carbon export. As surface nutrient supply becomes increasingly restricted under warming scenarios, shifts toward smaller phytoplankton may alter the efficiency of the biological carbon pump (BCP) and broader ocean biogeochemistry.

To better understand these dynamics, I am quantifying nutrient uptake (carbon, nitrate, and silicic acid) and analyzing the taxonomic composition of phytoplankton size fractions (20 µm) across seasonal and spatial gradients in the ESNP and Arctic Ocean. This research will provide new insights into how phytoplankton size diversity modulates nutrient utilization, community structure, and ultimately, the response of ocean ecosystems to climate change.

Education

2024 – B.Sc. in Biological Sciences with minors in Education, Federal University of São Carlos