Student Spotlight - Fall 2009

Shanshan Ren

M.S. Candidate in Biological Oceanography

I came from China, and I got my B.S. degree in Marine Science with an emphasis on Marine Biology at Xiamen University, China. This is my third year at USM and my research focuses on the significance of marine, unicellular, diazotrophic cyanobacteria and the role they play in the nitrogen cycle within the Mississippi Sound. My research identifies these unicellular, nitrogen fixers using molecular methods, and studies their abundance and seasonal distribution in the coastal waters of the Mississippi Sound. My work also includes testing the possibility of using nanocrystal, fluorophore-Qdot conjugates to detect proteins in situ in highly autofluorescent, cyanobacterial cells. This would provide a powerful, new tool to study the physiology and distribution of these autofluorescent, nitrogen fixing organisms.

Advisor: Dr. Karen Orcutt

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