Jed Fuhrman

Jed Fuhrman is the McCulloch-Crosby Chair in Marine Biology and Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), affiliated with the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on marine microbial ecology, biological oceanography, microbial diversity, and human pathogens in marine environments. He leads the Fuhrman Lab, dedicated to advancing understanding of microbial dynamics in ocean ecosystems. His work integrates field studies, genomics, and computational methods to explore microbial community structure, functional biogeography, and interactions in marine environments.

Key research interests include viral and bacterial community dynamics, impacts of environmental changes (e.g., warming, upwelling), and the roles of microbes in biogeochemical cycles. His lab’s contributions span global ocean surveys, long-term time-series analyses, and development of advanced bioinformatics tools for metagenomic data. Collaborations emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to address challenges in marine microbiology and climate science.

Publications highlight studies on microbial diversity patterns, virus-host interactions, and the functional roles of marine microbes. The lab’s protocols and tools, such as DeepMicroClass and DeepLINK-T, advance metagenomic analysis and predictive modeling. His work underscores the importance of microbial communities in maintaining ocean health and responding to environmental shifts.

Affiliations include leadership roles in USC’s marine biology programs and participation in initiatives like the San Pedro Ocean Time-series (SPOT). Research is supported by grants from agencies focused on environmental science and oceanography. The lab’s efforts contribute to global efforts to monitor and predict marine ecosystem changes under climate pressures.