We are pleased to share that two Bigelow Laboratory researchers have been selected as the newest Hypothesis Fund awardees!
Senior research scientists Catherine Mitchell and John Burns both received funding to pursue early-stage, innovative research.
Mitchell will develop a new approach to using satellite imagery to quantify zooplankton and their metabolism by detecting the red pigment found in some species. While satellites have long been used to identify phytoplankton, this project aims to move up the food chain, linking color to fat content and movement to track not only zooplankton, but also the animals that feed on them.
Burns is leading a community effort to sequence the first radiolarian genome. Radiolarians are tiny, single-celled marine organisms with intricate skeletons made of glass. This fall, he will bring together researchers from around the world — including early-career scientists — at Bigelow Laboratory to sample and sequence genetic material from the fall bloom.
Congratulations to Cath, John, and the full cohort! We can’t wait to see where these projects lead.
