Dr. Tammi Richardson, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of South Carolina, will present a talk about her research entitled, “The Colorful World of Cryptophyte Microalgae.” Learn more about Dr. Richardson’s work here.

Cryptophytes are a group of planktonic, photosynthetic algae found in ponds, lakes, estuaries, and oceans. Cryptophytes are ecologically important because they serve as nutritious prey for small grazers in these ecosystems, yet cryptophytes are surprisingly understudied compared to other taxa like cyanobacteria or diatoms. Dr. Richardson’s talk will focus on the photosynthetic pigments of cryptophytes, and how the evolution of specialized pigments called phycobiliproteins (PBPs) likely allowed cryptophytes to diversify into such a wide variety of aquatic habitats. She’ll also discuss shorter-term variability in PBP composition in cryptophytes grown in different spectral environments, in the context of how cryptophytes might (or might not) acclimate to variations in their underwater light field due to environmental perturbations like deforestation and urbanization.

The presentation will begin at 4:00 PM via Microsoft Teams, preceded by an informal Q&A from 3:45 – 4:00. Click here to join the meeting, via Microsoft Teams.