Dr. Christian Fritsen

Title: Research Professor
Affiliation: Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences
Location: DRI Reno
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 775.673-7487

Keywords: climate change, algae, Antarctica, ecosystems, microbial ecology, nutrient, water quality, lakes, rivers, reservoirs

Professional Interests

As a systems microbial ecologist, Dr. Fritsen studies the transfer of energy and cycling of materials within ecosystems that are mediated by bacteria, algae and protists. His work focuses on how the microbes and their interactions are influenced by the time-varying physical features of their environment. One long-standing area of interest has been on the interaction between seasonal ice dynamics and microbial production in polar ice environments. Such studies provide insights into microbial adaptations, microbial interactions within complex systems, and the possibility of life supporting habitats beyond earth. This professional interest also leads to studies of the interactions between a society's use of nutrients that influences microalgal seasonal production cycles and community structure which, in turn, affect the beneficial uses of aquatic ecosystems.

Having these interests mandates that the majority of Dr. Fritsen's time involves planning, conducting and reporting on field work and laboratory-based studies. Teaching and advising in both undergraduate and graduate programs at the University of Nevada Reno in addition to public outreach seminars and school visitations also allows ample opportunity for obtaining fresh perspectives through the interactions with the next generation of scientists and stewards of our environment.

Research Areas of Interest and Expertise

• Systems Ecology
• Algal Ecophysiology
• Polar Ecosystems
• Polar Limnology and Oceanography
• Watershed Nutrient Balance
• Stoichiometry
• Climate Change and Phenology
• Hydrological Optics
• Ecosystems Modeling
• Low Temperature Adaptations

Research Projects

• Geochemistry and Microbiology of the Extreme Aquatic Environment in Lake Vida, East Antarctica
• NSF SO GLOBEC: Phytoplankton, Ice, Ice Algae and Krill (PIIAK)
• DOE Algal-based renewable Energy for Nevada
• NDEP-EPA: Humbolt River and South Fork Reservoir Algal Ecology Studies
• EPA-Nevada Rivers: Winter Periphyton Ecology
• Walker Basin Project
• Didymosphenia Geminata in the Sierra Nevada Mountains
• NSF SO-GLOBEC: Antarctic sea ice microbial communities (SIMCO) in the Western Antarctic Peninsula Region
• NASA Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets (ASTEP) program
• Contributing author, The Biology of Polar Regions

Laboratory Website: Systems Microbial Ecology Laboratory

Lab Personnel:

• Jeramie Memmott
• Diane Momberg
• Eric Wirthlin

Current Students:

• Clint Davis