Department of Microbiology Seminar Series- Dr. Kait Reinl

Dr. Kait Reinl

Assistant Professor

Biological Sciences

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

“At the Confluence of Climate, Land, and Water: Phytoplankton Dynamics Along the Freshwater–Marine Continuum”

Aquatic ecosystems sit at the intersection of climate, land use, and water quality, making them highly responsive to environmental variability across spatial and temporal scales. Phytoplankton are among the most sensitive indicators of these shifting conditions, responding rapidly to changes in their environment. In this seminar, I will present integrative research that examines how phytoplankton dynamics are shaped by multi‑scale drivers, from rapid cellular responses to long‑term, continental patterns. Drawing on laboratory experiments, field observations, and statistical and mechanistic modeling, I explore how variability in resources such as light, temperature, and nutrients, as well as biotic factors including species traits, interact to shape phytoplankton dynamics and water quality in freshwater and estuarine systems. By linking observations across scales, this work reveals the complexity of freshwater systems and highlights the importance of cross‑scale perspectives for understanding ecological change and anticipating future water quality challenges.