Benjamin Van Mooy

Benjamin Van Mooy is a Professor and Senior Scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), where he serves as Chair of the Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry. He joined WHOI in 2003 after completing his PhD at the University of Washington and was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2024.

Van Mooy's research investigates how microbial organisms shape the cycling of elements fundamental to marine ecosystems. His work integrates ecological, biophysical, and oceanographic processes to understand plankton dynamics, with particular focus on:

• Lipid composition and metabolism in marine microorganisms
• Biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus
• Marine snow formation and carbon sequestration processes
• Climate change impacts on plankton nutritional value

His groundbreaking research revealed that phytoplankton in phosphorus-limited environments replace phosphorus-containing lipids with sulfur alternatives, and discovered diurnal metabolic cycles where phytoplankton produce energy-rich lipids during daylight and consume them at night. Global analyses showed plankton produce more nutritionally valuable unsaturated lipids like omega-3 fatty acids in cooler waters, indicating declining nutritional value as oceans warm.

Scientific Recognition

• MacArthur Fellowship (2024)

As department chair, Van Mooy leads research efforts developing innovative experimental platforms and molecular characterization techniques for studying marine biogeochemical processes. His laboratory focuses on understanding how climate change impacts ocean health and productivity through intricate biogeochemical networks.