Aparna Santhosh, postgraduate researcher, CDT SuMMeR: Cohort 3

I completed my bachelors in Zoology in India, where my passion for the ocean was reignited during my final year. Eager to explore marine sciences further, I pursued a masters in Marine Biology at Pondicherry University, India. This opportunity took me to the stunning Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where I deepened my understanding of marine ecosystems and their conservation.

I have diverse research experience in marine biology and oceanography, with expertise in plankton ecology, aquaculture and conservation.

At the CSIR-NIO, as a Project Associate, my research focussed on how different oceanographic processes affect the zooplankton community. I have worked on phyto and zooplankton in the context of marine outfall, oligotrophic and upwelling regions in the Indian Ocean.

My first major research work was on the Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) population estimation and conservation. My work took me to West Bengal, where there was a month-long boat survey along the Hooghly-Bhagirathi River.

During my internship at CMFRI, I worked on broodstock selection,spawning of fishes, algal culture, alongside working on the salinity tolerance of Mytella strigata.

Zooplankton are a critical link for transferring both energy and matter from primary producers (phytoplankton) to higher trophic levels. They are therefore integral to the production of harvestable marine biomass. Achieving global food security requires maximizing the amount of marine biomass that can be harvested for human consumption. Unfortunately, our limited knowledge of how temperature affects the growth of marine consumer organisms hinders our ability to understand how marine biomass production will be affected in a warming environment. My research aims to investigate how warming and its effects on the quantity and quality of food influences the physiology of marine animals, using zooplankton as model organism. Controlled experiments and field observations across a range of temperatures and feeding regimes will be used to understand the effect on zooplankton growth and metabolism. I will use the concept of metabolic stoichiometry, a theoretical framework to quantitatively assess how interactions between diet and metabolism influence growth, to interpret my findings. This approach will ensure that my findings are applicable to other species affected by ocean warming.

I applied for the CDT SuMMeR program because of its transdisciplinary approach, combining ecological, social, and policy perspectives, resonating with my desire to develop holistic solutions to marine challenges. The opportunity to collaborate with experts across multiple disciplines and sectors will enhance my research skills and provide first-hand experience in bringing together science and policy making. Additionally, the program’s emphasis on actionable, real-world impact and its extensive training beyond a traditional PhD make it the ideal setting to advance my expertise, preparing me to contribute meaningfully to global marine sustainability efforts.