David Caron

David Caron is the Captain Allan Hancock Chair in Marine Science and Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), affiliated with the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. He co-founded the Center for Integrated Networked Aquatic Platforms (CINAPS) and is part of the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies. His research focuses on marine and freshwater microbial ecology, particularly protist trophic relationships and harmful algal blooms. Caron holds a Ph.D. from the MIT-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Biological Oceanography (1984), an M.S. (1977) and B.S. (1975) in Oceanography and Microbiology from the University of Rhode Island.

Research Interests:
His work spans protistan ecology, mixotrophic microalgae physiology, Antarctic protist adaptations, and molecular approaches to microbial ecology. He investigates harmful algal bloom dynamics, protist grazing impacts, and the role of environmental drivers in planktonic communities. His studies often integrate field observations, experimental work, and advanced technologies like robotic sampling platforms.

Key Achievements:
Caron has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and pioneered methods in protistan diversity assessment. He received the AAAS Fellowship (2011), American Academy of Microbiology Fellowship (2007), and the USC Raubenheimer Outstanding Senior Faculty Award (2010–2011). He served as President of the International Society of Protistologists (2004–2005).

Grants & Labs:
He leads CINAPS, which uses autonomous systems to monitor coastal ecosystems. His lab studies microbial communities in the Southern California Bight, focusing on harmful algal toxins (e.g., domoic acid) and their ecological impacts. Collaborations with engineers and roboticists enhance data collection and environmental modeling efforts.