Sarah Joanne Lerch

I have many years of experience with phytoplankton physiology and molecular tools through my graduate and postdoctoral work (2012-2021). This work focused on phytoplankton nutrient physiology and metabolism in both experimental and in situ conditions. My research in these subjects included extensive use of molecular tools and methods including DNA extractions, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), genetic silencing and over expression of target genes, metabarcoding sample preparation and analysis, and metatranscriptomic sample preparation and analysis. In addition I've worked with advanced imaging tools including sorting flow cytometers, scanning electron microscopes, and inverted fluorescence microscopes. Results from this work were analyzed using bioinformatic pipelines and statistical packages requiring coding in R, Python, and Linux command line as well as the use of super computing clusters. In addition to my academic work during this period I also gained experience teaching and designing lesson plans in grade school and university classrooms. I am now responsible for the monitoring of phytoplankton in the open ocean areas of the North, Norwegian and Barents Seas. Findings from these monitoring programs are disseminated through the environmental directorate, ICES working groups, and publicly available cruise reports.