Our research approach encompasses a combination of theoretical modeling, experimental laboratory work, instrument development, field studies, and the use of ocean color observations obtained by sensors on airborne and satellite platforms.

Current projects

  • Useful Arctic Knowledge: Training, Collaboration, and Innovation in Ocean Observing. (Research Council of Norway Project 337425, Project Partner)
  • Automated Model for Improved Mapping of Country-scale High-resolution Coastal Bathymetry. (Oak Ridge National Laboratory Contract CW46460)
  • Arctic-Specific Ocean Color Products for the Changing Arctic Ocean Region. (US Naval Research Lab Award N00173-22-2-C608)
  • Examining Responses of Phytoplankton Community Composition to Climate-related Changes in the Arctic Ocean using Multiyear Observations from Multiple Satellite Missions. (NASA Grant NSSC22K1531)
  • Improving the Satellite Retrieval of Water Quality Properties under Complex Atmospheric and Aquatic conditions. (NASA Grant 80NSSC22K0909)
  • FjordPhyto: Engaging Tourists to Understand Polar Phytoplankton Dynamics Using Field and Satellite Observations. (NASA Grant 80NSSC21K0856)
  • Maintenance of MODIS Algorithms to Estimate Particulate Organic Carbon Concentration in the Surface Ocean for the Aqua and Terra Satellite Missions. (NASA Grant 80NSSC21K0700)
  • Next Generation Algorithms Based on PACE Capabilities to Obtain Inherent Optical Properties of Seawater Associated with Phytoplankton, Nonalgal Particles, and Colored Dissolved Organic Matter. (NASA Grant 80NSSC20M0252)

Recent projects (since 2010)

  • Development and Field Testing of a Spectral Radiometer for Measurements in Extremely Low-Light Marine Environments. (NSF Grant OCE-1829782, ended in 2023)
  • AquaFloat: A Near-Surface Hyperspectral Radiometer System for Improved Ocean Color Measurements within the UV-VIS-NIR Spectral Region (NASA SBIR Phase II Grant 80NSSC21C0490, ended in 2023)
  • Assessing Alterations to Planktonic Community Composition in a Changing Arctic Ocean (NSF Grant OPP-1822021, ended in 2022)
  • Refinement, Evaluation, and Application of an Improved POC Ocean Color Product for Continuity of Climate Data Records (NASA Grant 80NSSC18K0956, ended in 2022)
  • Collaborative Research: Riverine Carbon Contributions to Alaskan Arctic Coastal Margins (NASA Grant NNX17A172G, ended in 2021)
  • AquaFloat: A Near-Surface Hyperspectral Radiometer System for Improved Ocean Color Measurements within the UV-VIS-NIR Spectral Region (NASA SBIR Phase I Grant 80NSSC20C0469, ended in 2021)
  • Development of an Improved Model to Obtain Seawater Inherent Optical Properties from Ocean Color Remote Sensing (NASA Grant NNX15AQ53G, ended in 2018)
  • Development and Testing of Multispectral Optical Method for Assessing Phytoplankton Community Composition from Ocean Color Measurements in Bio-optically Complex Arctic Waters (NOAA Contract SciTech OSTA TASK002-WA009, ended in 2018)
  • Quantifying the Spectral Absorption Coefficients of Phytoplankton and Non-phytoplankton Components of Seawater from In Situ and Remote-Sensing Measurements (NASA Grant NNX15AC55G, ended in 2017)
  • Quantifying Sources of Optical Backscattering in Support of Remote-Sensing Applications for Water Quality (NASA Grant NNX13AN72G, ended in 2017)
  • Scoping for Interdisciplinary Coordinated Experiment of the Southern Ocean Carbon Cycle (ICESOCC) (NASA Grant NNX14AD86G, ended in 2017)
  • Development of Instrument for Quantitative Characterization of Size Distribution of Aquatic Colloids (NSF Grant OCE 11-26870, ended in 2016)
  • Improvements in the Filter Pad Methods for Determining Absorption Spectra of Aquatic Particles in the Ultraviolet Spectral Region (NASA Grant NNX15F83G, ended in 2015)
  • A Multi-Depth Underwater Spectroradiometer for Validation of Remotely Sensed Ocean Color and Estimation of Seawater Biogeochemical Properties (NASA SBIR Grant NNX11CH52P, ended in 2014)
  • Dynamic Camouflage in Benthic and Pelagic Cephalopods: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Crypsis Based on Color, Reflection, and Bioluminescence (ONR Grant N00014-09-1-1053, ended in 2014)
  • Optical Detection of Particle Concentration, Composition, and Size Within Arctic Waters (NASA Grant NNX10AG05G, ended in 2014)
  • Assessing Biodiversity of Phytoplankton Communities in the Ocean from Optical Remote Sensing (NASA Grant NNX09AK17G, ended in 2013)
  • A Miniaturized UV/VIS/IR Hyperspectral Radiometer for Autonomous Airborne and Underwater Imaging Spectroscopy of Coastal and Oceanic Environments (NASA SBIR Grant NNX11CA01C, ended in 2013)
  • Wave-Induced Fluctuations in Underwater Light Field: Analysis of Data From RaDyO Experiments (ONR Grant N00014111003, ended in 2011)
  • Carbon Dynamics in the Beaufort Sea from Field and Satellite Observations (NASA Grant NNX07AR20G, ended in 2011)
  • Measurements of Wave-Induced Fluctuations in Underwater Radiance Under Various Surface Boundary Conditions (ONR Grant N00014-06-1-0071, ended in 2010)
  • Development of Sensor Networks for Aquatic Nanoparticle Characterization (NSF Grant OCE 04-28900, ended in 2010)
  • Optical Signatures of Red Tides in Coastal Southern California and NW Mexico: A Study Towards Development of Monitoring and Early Warning Systems (UC-Mexus Grant, ended in 2010)