Rob is a PhD student whose research currently focuses on eukaryotic phytoplankton responses to low iron availability. Specifically, he seeks to functionally characterize key iron-related genes. This work utilizes reverse genetics and -omic approaches in model organisms and laboratory isolates coupled with field-based studies to inform understanding of marine ecosystems. Prior to joining the Allen Lab, Rob completed a B.S. in Computer Science from North Carolina State University where he also worked in Dr. Astrid Schnetzer’s lab studying domoic acid production in the diatom, Pseudo-nitzschia. Afterwards, he received an M.Sc. in Marine Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he studied phytoplankton responses to upwelling and iron storage in marine diatoms under Dr. Adrian Marchetti.
Research Interests:
- Ecophysiology of iron-limited phytoplankton
- Environmental drivers of phytoplankton abundances and distributions
- (Meta)’omic approaches to study microbial eukaryotes
Selected publications:
- Lampe RH, Wang S, Cassar N, and Marchetti A. (2019) Strategies among phytoplankton in response to alleviation of nutrient stress in a subtropical gyre. The ISME Journal.
- Lampe RH, Mann EL, Cohen NR, Till CP, Thamatrakoln K, Brzezinski MA, Bruland KW, Twining BS, and Marchetti A. (2018) Different iron storage strategies among bloom-forming diatoms. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 115, E12275-E12284.
- Lampe RH, Cohen NR, Ellis KA, Bruland KW, Maldonado MT, Peterson TD, Till CP, Brzezinski MA, Bargu S, Thamatrakoln K, Kuzminov FI, Twining BS, and Marchetti A. (2018) Divergent gene expression among phytoplankton taxa in response to upwelling. Environmental Microbiology 20, 3069-3082.
- Schnetzer A, Lampe RH, Benitez-Nelson CR, Marchetti A, Osburn CL, and Tatters AO. (2017) Marine snow formation by the toxin-producing diatom, Pseudo-nitzschia australis. Harmful Algae 61, 23-30