Mike Stukel

Mike Stukel is an Associate Professor of Oceanography at Florida State University's Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, affiliated with the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies (COAPS). His research focuses on the intersection of plankton ecology and marine biogeochemistry, particularly the roles of gelatinous zooplankton like appendicularians, salps, and ctenophores in global biogeochemical cycles and fisheries productivity. His work emphasizes understanding how microscopic organisms influence climate and marine ecosystems through carbon export mechanisms and trophic interactions. Stukel's studies span coastal upwelling systems (e.g., California Current) to open ocean environments such as the Southern Ocean, exploring topics including plankton size spectra, food web dynamics, and climate change impacts. His recent research highlights the ecological importance of gelatinous filter feeders in enhancing carbon sequestration and ecosystem efficiency.

He has contributed to interdisciplinary projects like the Deep-C Consortium, investigating Gulf of Mexico ecosystem responses to oil spills, and developed methodologies linking observations with high-resolution ocean models. His articles frequently address carbon export pathways, plankton community responses to environmental stressors, and the role of mesozooplankton in biogeochemical cycles.

Stukel’s work bridges laboratory studies with field observations, emphasizing the application of emerging genomic techniques and Lagrangian analysis to understand large-scale oceanographic processes. His research underscores the critical link between microscopic plankton dynamics and planetary-scale biogeochemical processes.