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Aquatic Microbiology and Ecology Research

Aquatic Microbiology and Ecology Research

One of the focus areas in the department is freshwater and marine aquatic microbiology. Our faculty conduct research in the realm of fish disease, cyanobacteria, phytoplankton, ocean carbon cycle, virology, air-sea interactions and coral reef ecology. Their work is leading to new insights that can lead to a more sustainable future.

Exploring connections between microbes and aquatic life

Oregon State microbiology research furthers understanding of ocean’s role in ca…

Innovation grants to build model reef at OSU, catalyze biological and materials…

Coral researchers find link between bacterial genus and disease susceptibility

Scientists at the forefront of aquatic microbiology and ecology

Jerri Bartholomew

Professor and Director of the J.L. Fryer Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory

Jerri Bartholomew

Professor and Director of the J.L. Fryer Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory

Our research focuses on the pathogens that affect the health of wild Pacific salmon populations, particularly myxozoan parasites, which have a complex life cycle, requiring both a fish and annelid host.

Nash Hall 524
(541) 737-1834
jerri.bartholomew@oregonstate.edu

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Kimberly Halsey

Associate Professor

Kimberly Halsey

Associate Professor

Phytoplankton are the single celled plants in aquatic environments that initiate the carbon cycles and the aquatic food web. We study phytoplankton physiology by combining traditional culturing techniques with molecular, biochemical, and comparative measurements to understand the responses in photosynthesis, microbe-microbe interactions and variability in ocean productivity.

354 Nash Hall
(541) 737-1831
halseyk@science.oregonstate.edu

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The Halsey Lab

Stephen Giovannoni

University Distinguished Professor

Stephen Giovannoni

University Distinguished Professor

We study the ecology, evolution, and systems biology of SAR11 marine bacteria, the most abundant microbial group on the planet. We are also home to OSU’s High Throughput Culturing Laboratory which develops new technologies for culturing bacteria. Our field research is focused on the role of SAR11 and other marine bacteria in the ocean carbon cycle.

248 Nash Hall
(541) 737-1835
stephen.giovannoni@oregonstate.edu

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High Throughput Microbial Cultivation Lab

Michael Kent

Professor

Michael Kent

Professor

The Kent Laboratory is focused on two major research areas: diseases of zebrafish in research facilities and impacts of pathogens on wild salmonid fishes. In both areas, we study chronic infectious diseases. Zebrafish make excellent research models but underlying chronic diseases are of concern as they relate to non-protocol induced variation in laboratory fish, as they would with any laboratory animal.

532 Nash Hall
(541) 737-8652
michael.kent@oregonstate.edu

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Stephen Atkinson

Associate Professor (Senior Research)

Stephen Atkinson

Associate Professor (Senior Research)

My research focuses on fish parasites. I investigate the structure, development and genetics of problematic myxozoan parasites of salmon and trout. I also discover and describe new parasite species.

Nash Hall 546
541-737-1861
atkinsos@oregonstate.edu

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Sascha Hallett

Associate Professor (Senior Research)

Sascha Hallett

My research focuses on fish parasites and their classification, life cycles, ecology and epidemiology. I seek to understand infection dynamics to inform fisheries management and conservation. I develop pathogen monitoring approaches to mitigate and manage disease in wild and hatchery salmonid fishes. My methods include host susceptibility experiments (field and lab), and molecular assay development for detection of hosts and their parasites.

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Andrew Thurber

Associate Professor

Andrew Thurber

Associate Professor

CEOAS joint appointment

My research focuses on how deep-sea and polar communities function. These areas cover well over 63 percent of the globe, provide a wealth of services to mankind, and yet remain largely unknown and unexplored. While my research ranges from the lab bench to shallow waters to habitats thousands of meters below the ocean surface, the ultimate goal is to increase our understanding of the planet around us.

214 Burt Hall
541-737-4500
athurber@coas.oregonstate.edu

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Thurber Lab website

Jan Spitsbergen

Assistant Professor (Senior Research)

Jan Spitsbergen

Assistant Professor (Senior Research)

I am a fisheries scientist and veterinary pathologist (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Pathologists) who has conducted laboratory research and field epidemiologic studies in fish health, diseases, pathology and toxicology for 30 years.

Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory, 34347 NE Electric Road, Corvallis, OR 97333
541-905-6808
jan.spitsbergen@oregonstate.edu

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Thomas Sharpton

Associate Professor

Thomas Sharpton

Associate Professor

We develop and apply high-throughput computational and statistical tools that characterize how microbiomes operate, diversify, and evolve in the context of their hosts. We are particularly interested in understanding how changes in the microbiome can influence vertebrate physiology.

530 Nash Hall
(541) 737-8623
thomas.sharpton@oregonstate.edu

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Ryan Mueller

Associate Professor

Ryan Mueller

Associate Professor

We study the ecology of microbiomes found in diverse natural environments. Our research uses and develops high throughput approaches to investigate the impacts of microbial physiology on global biogeochemical cycles and the health of animal and plant hosts.

448 Nash Hall
(541) 737-2950
ryan.mueller@oregonstate.edu

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Julie Alexander

Assistant Professor (Senior Research)

Julie Alexander

Assistant Professor (Senior Research)

Nash Hall 522
541-737-1849
alexanju@oregonstate.edu

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Rebecca Vega-Thurber

Emile F. Pernot Distinguished Professor

Rebecca Vega-Thurber

Emile F. Pernot Distinguished Professor

My lab’s research uses interdisciplinary and high technology approaches to address questions about how viruses and microbes function in and affect the environment. My research provides important insight into a variety of fields including: virology, microbiology, coral reef ecology, animal physiology, and the evolution of symbioses.

454 Nash Hall
(541) 737-1851
rebecca.vega-thurber@oregonstate.edu