From space to the deep sea

Phytoplankton ecology, ocean color remote sensing, deep sea carbon export, and more

Department of Earth & Environment, Boston University

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Dr. Sasha J. Kramer (she/her)! In July 2025, I started my lab as an Assistant Professor at Boston University in the Department of Earth & Environment.

Research in my lab focuses on characterizing surface ocean phytoplankton communities using a combination of in-water data and remote sensing. From these surface ocean measurements, we can consider the implications of changing phytoplankton community composition for biogeochemical cycles (e.g., carbon export) and in response to extreme events like coastal wildfires. My work combines oceanographic fieldwork, remote sensing data, and lab work using optical and molecular tools. I enjoy incorporating new approaches and methods to observe phytoplankton across scales. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions, are looking for code or data that is not here or on PANGAEA, SeaBASS, or GitHub, or need a copy of a paper that you can’t find online.

At sea on R/V Endeavor - photo by Colleen Durkin

 
Offshore workers in hard hats and life jackets operate lifting equipment on a vessel deck above rough ocean water.
University of Maine students conduct water quality research from a dock using a laptop and scientific equipment.
Satellite view of Earth showing North America, the Arctic, swirling ocean currents, clouds, and the curved horizon against space
Four people pose beside the research vessel Endeavor, showing its bridge and communications equipment under a clear blue sky.
Researchers collect a water sample from the Plum Island Estuary using a suspended plankton net and sample bottle.
Scientists aboard MBARI research vessel R/V Paragon on the water
Microscopic view of a dinoflagellate collected with the Curiosity microscope
Close-up of a blue ocean-themed decorated cake with colorful frosting phytoplankton and sediment traps
Scientist wearing safety glasses and gloves pours seawater from a labeled bottle into a filter rig in a laboratory onboard R/V Kilo Moana.
Two scientists pose on the deck of RRS Discovery beneath a large radar dome and maritime antennas.