Nick Baetge is a microbial oceanographer with expertise in organic matter bioavailability, microbial community dynamics, and bio-optical variability. His research integrates field observations, experimental incubations, and satellite data to investigate how environmental change influences microbial biomass, community composition, activity, and organic matter cycling. He is leading efforts to assess DOM processing using both classic remineralization assays and continuous-flow marine bioreactors. He also oversees high-resolution along-track bio-optical and physiological measurements to contextualize discrete sampling, support satellite ocean color validation, and advance mechanistic understanding of bio–optical relationships. Baetge will serve in a project scientist role for the BIOS-SCOPE program, assisting with the coordination of team efforts and science in close collaboration with Dr. Carlson.
Nick received his PhD in Marine Science from UC Santa Barbara where he studied the temporal and spatial variability of DOM and its bioavailability during the annual North Atlantic phytoplankton bloom. Prior to joining BIOS, he was a National Science Foundation postdoctoral research fellow and research associate at Oregon State University. There, he investigated the physiological responses of marine plankton to wildfire-derived ash, diel cycles in phytoplankton optical properties, and helped to advance validation efforts for NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission.
Educational Background
University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 2013
-BS. with Distinction, Aquatic Biology
University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 2021
- PhD, Marine Science
Further Information
Selected Publications
Baetge, N., Halsey, K.H., Hanan, E.J., Behrenfeld, M.J., Milligan, A.J., Graff, J.R., Hansen, P., Carlson, C.A., Boiteau, R.B., Arrington, E.A., Comstock, J., Halewood, E.R., Harvey, E.L., Nelson, N.B., Opalk, K., Very Wey, B. Pre-existing in situ conditions shape coastal plankton response to fire-generated ash leachate. Limnology and Oceanography
Baetge, N., Halsey, K.H., Graff, J.R., Ver Wey, B., Westberry, T.K., Appel, A.E., Bourdin, G., Begouen Demeaux, C., Boss, E., Behrenfeld, M.J. (2024) Physiological and interspecific factors determine diel changes in phytoplankton bio-optical properties. Limnology and Oceanography, (69)2, 390-407.
Baetge, N., Bolaños, L., Della Penna, A., Gaube, P., Liu, S., Opalk, K., Graff, J., Giovannoni, S., Behrenfeld, M., Carlson, C. (2022) Bacterioplankton Response to Physical Stratification following Deep Convection. Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene. 10(1), 00078.
Baetge, N., Behrenfeld, M., Fox, J., Halsey, K., Mojica, K., Novoa, A., Stephens, B., Carlson, C. (2021). The Seasonal Flux and Fate of Dissolved Organic Carbon through the Food Web in the Westen North Atlantic. Frontiers in Microbiology. 12, 669883.
Baetge, N., Graff, J. R., Behrenfeld, M. J., & Carlson, C. A. (2020) Net Community Production, Dissolved Organic Carbon Accumulation, and Vertical Export in the Western North Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science. 7, 227.