Dr. Rebecca Shipe

Biography

Rebecca Shipe is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA. Her primary research focuses on ecological physiology, particularly on marine phytoplankton and diatoms (Bacillariophyceae). She investigates the relationships between diatoms and their environments, with specific attention to the factors that control phytoplankton growth, including nutrient physiology and climatic conditions such as ENSO cycles. Understanding the cycling of silicon in marine systems is crucial, as diatoms are the dominant group among marine phytoplankton and significantly contribute to primary production in eutrophic waters. Her work emphasizes the importance of species-specific processes and aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how marine phytoplankton influence biogeochemical cycles. Recently, she has focused on harmful algal blooms and the biogeography of nearshore ecosystems. Techniques in her work include laboratory studies and field cruises in open ocean and coastal waters, adopting a multidisciplinary approach to understand the role of marine phytoplankton in global carbon cycles.

Research Interests

Experience

Courses