Profile

Erin Bertrand

Postdoctoral Investigator

Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry

Office Phone: +1 508 289 2835

ebertrand@whoi.edu

» CV

Education

Current Joint Program Student in Chemical Oceanogrpahy
Bates College Class of 2005, Majors in Chemistry and Environmental Studies

Research Statement

Broadly, I am interested in biogeochemical cycles in the marine environment. Particularly, I am interested in using molecular-level modes of inquiry to ask questions about how microorganisms affect their chemical environment and the cycling of major and micro-nutrients. More specifically, I am interested in the biogeochemical cycling vitamin B12, a cobalt containing micronutrient. I am interested in how the cycling of micronutrients might affect the cycling of major nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur.
I am asking questions about B12 and Co as limiting nutrients in a variety of environments, where B12 comes from in these environments, and what organisms use it. To do this, I use laboratory and field-based techniques. I primarily employ proteomic profiling techniques using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.