Using computational methods to study the ocean’s microbial worlds

The oceans are the heart of our planet, holding the keys to both its past and future. From the mysterious depths of unexplored sea floors to the bustling coasts, these complex systems and processes form an integral part of our world. Oceans are captivating and mysterious; they draw you in and urge for exploration. It is for this reason that I have chosen to dedicate my future research career to marine ecological systems. 

My name is Lara Breithaupt and I am a rising Senior at Duke University studying computer science. Now you may be thinking: she just said that she’s dedicating her future to marine science, but is a computer science major? How does that make sense? Let me explain. 

Amidst this vast field lies the enigmatic realm of hidden and microbial worlds in the ocean, which are elusive to conventional observation methods. Computational methods, I believe, hold the key to unearthing these complex dynamic processes. Consequently, my academic journey revolves around combining my major in computer science with diverse courses in biology, marine ecology, and minors in marine science & conservation and computational biology. 

This summer, through being a USC Wrigley Institute NSF-funded REU student, I have had the privilege of working in Dr. Naomi Levine’s quantitatively driven oceanography lab studying phytoplankton’s mitigation strategies to stress due to the effects of climate change characterized by rising temperatures and limited nutrient levels (among others). The research that I did centered on modeling phytoplankton growth rates under multiple stressors to determine the most optimal stress-mitigation path that a phytoplankton in a similar environment (that are coming more common) may choose to employ. This work will better inform many aspects of climate research, as phytoplankton account for ~50% of global carbon fixation in the world, playing a critical role in regulating the Earth’s carbon balance. 

Throughout this process, I have been able to follow a research project from the very beginning and work on brainstorming, testing how to implement new ideas, writing software, and simulating phytoplankton behavior. This experience has only further solidified my research and career aspirations of pursuing a PhD and hopefully eventually be a professor in theoretical ecology. 

Going into this summer, I was a bit apprehensive about various day to day activities involved with this program, as I unfortunately tore my ACL and underwent extensive surgery in the spring semester leading up to the program. I was fresh off of crutches and wanted to participate as much as I could safely. I couldn’t have been more welcomed and accommodate. Dr. Diane Kim, the director, along with everyone in the program provided so many helpful accommodations for me along this journey and made me feel open to have the best summer I could under my conditions. I can’t be more grateful for this. 

Getting to know my fellow REU students was a true highlight of this experience for me as well. As I was unable to live on campus due to my surgery recovery, I was worried about connecting with my peers, but especially spending time on Catalina has shown me that I could still make meaningful relationships. From being with each other at LA Pride to sun sets over the Catalina coast, this summer has been full of memories. 

Experiences that stand out to me throughout my REU summer were the multitude of workshops and guest lectures through which we were able to learn about topics ranging from grad school applications to science communications to the cutting edge research being done in the field of marine science. These meetings provided us all with a great foundation with which we can build further research experience and prepare for a future in an academic or research focused career. 

Overall, I had a wonderful experience this summer at USC with the Wrigley Institute REU program and would recommend it to anyone wishing to apply. I would like to thank my amazing mentors, Dr. Suzana Leles and Dr. Naomi Levine for guiding me through such an amazing research experience as well as everyone in the Levine Lab for welcoming and helping me along the way. I would also like to thank the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, REU Director, Dr. Diane Kim, Dr. Karla Heidelberg, and my fellow REU students.