Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington received a $104,898 postdoctoral fellowship award from the National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050), effective January 15, 2026 through November 30, 2026. The award funds research investigating whether diatoms utilize proton-pumping rhodopsins as an alternative energy source under high light and low iron stress conditions. Diatoms are critical marine microorganisms responsible for a substantial proportion of ocean carbon sequestration and are considered "first responders" to climate change. This research addresses a knowledge gap regarding how these organisms adapt to environmental stressors—specifically increasing light intensity from ocean "shoaling" and decreasing iron availability resulting from climate change—that inhibit traditional photosynthesis.

The project will generate scientific insights into diatom resilience mechanisms and extend findings to other algae and bacteria employing similar light-harvesting proteins. Expected deliverables include research findings on proton-pumping rhodopsin function under combined stress conditions, enhanced climate modeling capabilities for predicting future ocean scenarios, and broader contributions to ocean science through classroom and community outreach activities and mentoring opportunities. The research will advance fundamental understanding of how diatoms may respond to future ocean conditions and inform predictions regarding alterations to global carbon cycling dynamics.