Frithjof Kuepper

Professor Frithjof Kuepper is the MASTS Chair in Marine Biodiversity at the University of Aberdeen, affiliated with Oceanlab and the School of Biological Sciences. He has previously held academic positions at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), where he was a lecturer, reader, and Head of the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP).

His research focuses on the biochemistry, biodiversity, and ecology of marine algae and microbes, with particular emphasis on polar regions and the Mediterranean. Key research themes include:

• Oomycete pathogens of marine algae
• Iodine and defense metabolism in brown algae
• Trace metal uptake and storage
• Marine algal taxonomy and biodiversity

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in marine biodiversity assessments, species discovery, DNA barcoding, and the impacts of invasive and endangered seaweeds in global ecosystems, especially in polar and Mediterranean regions. He frequently employs molecular, morphological, and ecological approaches to understand algal systematics and environmental interactions.

Scientific honors include:

• Selected as one of the Discover Magazine 100 Science Stories of 2008 for discovering iodide as an inorganic antioxidant in kelp

He has advised numerous students and researchers, with collaborations spanning institutions in the UK, USA, Germany, Greece, and Chile. His research has been supported by NERC, the European Commission (Marie Curie Fellowships), and the TOTAL Foundation. He leads field expeditions involving scientific diving in remote locations such as the Canadian Arctic and Antarctic. He is also actively involved in editorial and peer review activities for journals and funding agencies worldwide.

He is a member of several professional societies, including the British Phycological Society, Hellenic Phycological Society, and Deutsche Botanische Gesellschaft, and serves on the editorial boards of Algae and Marine Biotechnology.