Ricardo Letelier

Ricardo Letelier is a Professor at the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) at Oregon State University. His research focuses on marine pelagic microorganisms, biogeochemical cycles, and remote sensing of oceanographic variables. He holds a BS in Marine Biology from Universidad de Concepción, Chile (1988) and a PhD in Oceanography from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa (1994).

Key research interests include the response of marine microorganisms to environmental perturbations, nitrogen fixation, chlorophyll fluorescence, and phytoplankton dynamics. He leads projects such as the Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research & Education (C-MORE) and the Coastal Ocean Shelf Transport (COAST) initiative. His work integrates satellite data, in situ measurements, and field experiments to understand ocean biogeochemistry and climate interactions.

Publications span topics like phytoplankton blooms induced by volcanic activity, nutrient limitation dynamics in the North Pacific Gyre, and the development of remote sensing tools for coastal ecosystems. He collaborates extensively with global institutions, including the Hawaii Ocean Time-series program and NASA's MODIS satellite missions.

Current projects investigate scales of phytoplankton productivity variability, satellite-derived fluorescence interpretation, and long-term changes in North Pacific microbial communities. His research underscores interdisciplinary approaches to address climate change impacts on marine ecosystems.