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(Re)-Examining Lipids

WHOI’s Laura Sofen assists with water sampling during a recent cruise to the North Atlantic led by Associate Scientist Benjamin Van Mooy. The cruise focused on examining the role of fatty compounds known as lipids in marine plankton. Within the field of oceanography, lipid molecules have generally been regarded as passive components of cell membranes, but Van Mooy’s lab is helping rethink this view. Sofen joined the lab as a summer student fellow in 2010 after graduating from Carleton College, and is continuing her work with lipids until she leaves for the Peace Corps in April. (Photo by Benjamin Van Mooy, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)