Life in and below Arctic Sea Ice
What sort of life exists within and directly below Arctic sea ice? In this event, three researchers will share their knowledge on how climate change is impacting sea ice algae and other organisms.
About the event (held in English)
What sort of life exists within and directly below Arctic sea ice? In this event, three researchers will share their knowledge on how climate change is impacting sea ice algae and other organisms. The event is free and open for all.
Talks
- Observing life in Arctic Sea Ice - snapshots from large Arctic research campaigns: by Oliver Müller (20 minutes)
- Effects of the changing light field on under ice phytoplankton: by Charlotte Walter (external link) (15 minutes)
- The BioCrystal project: by Shuang Gao (external link) and Joeran Maerz (5 minutes)
Date & time
Thursday, September 24th, 2026, 19.00-20.00
Speakers
Oliver Müller, Researcher (UiB): His research focus is on microbial ecology in the Arctic. He has 10 years of research experience in different Arctic environments (sea ice, ocean, fjords, glacier, permafrost soil) and use molecular methods, bioinformatics, and flow cytometry to resolve interactions in Arctic microbial food webs.
Shuang Gao (external link), Researcher (The Nansen Center): A marine biogeochemical and ecosystem modeller. Her recent research has centred on developing and utilizing biogeochemical/physical/ecosystem models to assess climate change impact on marine biogeochemistry, e.g., on marine primary production and ocean carbon uptake. At the Nansen Center, she is part of the ocean modelling team, working on developing the biogeochemical/ecosystem model of the coupled model system (HYCOM-ECOSMO) focusing on the North Atlantic and Arctic region.
Joeran Maerz, Researcher (UiB): Studied Marine Environmental Sciences in Oldenburg/Germany. He currently works on global ocean biogeochemistry modeling in the field of climate sciences and is co-developer of iHAMOCC, the ocean biogeochemistry model component of the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM). His special focus is on the understanding the ocean biological carbon pump and recently started to become interested in the associated processes in the Arctic Ocean as a focal region.
Charlotte Walter (external link), PhD candidate (NORCE). She wrote her master thesis at the Nansen Center, exploring the effects of sea ice characteristics on Arctic primary production in a numerical model. She has recently joined NORCE as a PhD candidate to study how the phytoplankton composition will change in the future Arctic Ocean. For that she will combine observational data with numerical modelling and machine learning approaches. She is passionate about algae, sea ice, marine and terrestrial forest, and aims to contribute to effective science communication.
Organisers
Ocean Science Bar is a collaboration between Statsraad Lehmkuhl, the University of Bergen, the Institute of Marine Research, NORCE, and the Nansen Center. At the Statsraaden Bar & Reception you are welcome to enjoy highlights from marine research and ocean related issues in informal and relaxing surroundings.
Related content
UiB Ocean - UiB has three thematic priority areas, of which UiB Ocean is one. The Faculty of Science and Technology is the host faculty. UiB Ocean has a steering group where all faculties and the university museum are represented. The steering group is lead by Professor Lars H. Smedsrud, Vice Dean for UiB Ocean.