2002, B.S. in Aquatic Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara
2010, Ph.D. in Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary
2010-present, Post-doctoral research associate at IMCS Rutgers University

Phytoplankton and zooplankton ecology and physiology, biogeochemical cycling, climate change

Projects :

The main emphasis of my research at Rutgers University is to identify what triggers changes in algal abundance, composition, physiology, and overall quality, and how this affects higher trophic levels (zooplankton, fish) and nutrient feedback processes. For one of my major projects, I have been conducting a combination of laboratory and field experiments to determine the effects of enhanced carbon dioxide (CO2) on plankton communities and biogeochemical cycling in the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region. Specifically, my research goals are to determine how increased CO2 affects: 1) viral, bacterial, phytoplankton, and zooplankton biomass and community structure, 2) rates of algal photosynthesis and nitrogen uptake and incorporation, 3) carbon fixation enzyme activity (RuBisCO and PEPC activity), 4) algal trace metal incorporation, and 5) zooplankton feeding, respiration, and nutrient excretion rates.

Another major focus is utilizing decades of long term ecological research (LTER) data to understand the physical factors that drive the timing, magnitude, and composition of phytoplankton blooms at Palmer Station, Antarctica.

Relevant Publication:

Saba, G.K., Steinberg, D.K., and D.A. Bronk. 2011. The relative importance of sloppy feeding, excretion, and fecal pellet leaching in the release of dissolved carbon and nitrogen by Acartia tonsa copepods. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 404: 47-56.

Saba, G.K., Steinberg, D.K., Bronk, D.A., and A.R. Place. 2011. The effects of harmful algal species and food concentration on zooplankton grazer production of dissolved organic matter and inorganic nutrients. Harmful Algae 10: 291-303.

Saba, G.K., Steinberg, D.K., and D.A. Bronk. 2009. Effects of diet on release of dissolved organic and inorganic nutrients by the copepod Acartia tonsa. Marine Ecology Progress Series 386: 147-161. 

Steinberg, D.K. and G.K. Saba. 2008. Nitrogen consumption and metabolism in marine zooplankton. In: Capone, D.G., Bronk, D.A., Mulholland, M.R., and E.J. Carpenter, eds., Nitrogen in the Marine Environment, 2nd Edition. Academic Press, Boston. p 1135-1196.

Goldthwait, S.A., Carlson, C.A., Henderson, G.K., and A.L. Alldredge. 2005. Effects of physical fragmentation on remineralization of marine snow. Marine Ecology Progress Series 305: 59-65.

Saba, G.K., and D.K. Steinberg. Composition and sinking rates of Northern Anchovy fecal pellets in the Santa Barbara Channel. Continental Shelf Research (in review). 

Curriculum Vita:

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