Research

Biological Oceanography 

Algal blooms, Biology, Biooptics, Diatom ecology, Small-scale structures, Microbial ecology, Observational oceanography, Optics in the ocean, Phytoplankton ecology, Plankton ecology. 

Jan Rines received her undergraduate degree in Botany (1978) from the University of Rhode Island, and her Masters (1986) and Doctorate (1994) in Biological Oceanography from URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography. With a strong background in classical taxonomy, natural history, evolutionary ecology and visualization of phytoplankton, Rines is fascinated by the diversity exhibited by these beautiful protists that are so critical to marine ecosystems and earth’s biogeochemical cycles. Today’s oceans are home to tens, if not hundreds of thousands of species, each with a unique suite of properties governing their role in the ecosystem. Accordingly, Rines’ research program scrutinizes this community from a species-specific perspective. Of particular interest are ‘Form & Function’ questions, which explore the interrelationships between cell/colony morphology, natural history and the physical environment. These interests have lead to two major lines of research: (1) everything about the genus Chaetoceros, arguably the most species-rich and morphologically complex of the planktonic diatoms (she has studied and loved these extraordinary organisms for more than 35 years!) (2) Rines has also spent more than 15 years as part of an interdisciplinary oceanographic team studying the biological-physical-optical interactions between phytoplankton and their fluid environment. We have examined relationships at the scale of organisms (interactions between cells/colonies and small scale turbulence), and at the scale of populations (interactions with basin scale circulation processes, including lateral intrusions and thin layer formation). Collectively, these two approaches provide unique perspective and insight into the life of these tiny, photosynthetic planktonic cells. Rines is a Marine Research Scientist and Professor in Residence at the Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island. She also has extensive interaction with Rhode Island School of Design.