Collin Roesler

Collin Roesler is the William R. Kenan Professor of Earth and Oceanographic Science at Bowdoin College, affiliated with the Roux Center for the Environment and Schiller Coastal Studies Center. He specializes in environmental optics, bio-optical modeling, and harmful algal blooms. With over 300 days at sea on research vessels—including Antarctic icebreakers and Arctic sea ice expeditions—his work bridges field observations and remote sensing applications. Roesler holds a PhD from the University of Washington, MS from Oregon State University, and BS from Brown University.

Research focuses on phytoplankton dynamics, ocean observing systems, and the response of marine ecosystems to environmental forcing. Key contributions include improving chlorophyll fluorescence data calibration and advancing optical proxies for harmful algal bloom detection. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and co-edited books on ocean optics and observing systems.

Teaching emphasizes polar oceanography and hands-on fieldwork, fostering student engagement with coastal environments. Professional roles include leadership in the NASA PACE mission and the Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture Network (SEANET). Recent work explores tidal mixing dynamics in Harpswell Sound and global plankton size structure databases.

Advised numerous graduate and undergraduate researchers, with notable projects on phytoplankton community composition and dissolved organic carbon transport. His labs and courses integrate cutting-edge optical instrumentation and interdisciplinary approaches to address climate change impacts on marine systems.