Daniel Roelke
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Why is it that so many microscopic organisms can be found in a single drop of water? And how is it that these minute species can shape entire ecosystems? How might our knowledge of ecological principles governing these microbes be applied to sustainable use of our living natural resources? Dr. Roelke, a professor in the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department at Texas A&M University, has been studying these questions for 19 years. His research spans five continents and extends from tropical to polar latitudes. He has focused on environments ranging from ponds and shallow lakes to oceans. A part of his research program concentrates on the incidence of harmful algal blooms, specifically those that cause extensive fish kills and threats to human health, and management strategies aimed at circumventing such blooms. He is a long-standing member of the Association of Limnology and Oceanography, and also of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation.