Margaret Mars Brisbin

Margaret Mars Brisbin is an Assistant Professor in the Biological Oceanography department at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science. As Principal Investigator of the MICO Lab, she specializes in marine microbial interactions, phytoplankton community dynamics, and harmful algal blooms (HABs) in coastal and open ocean systems. Her research integrates high-throughput RNA/DNA sequencing with advanced imaging techniques to investigate how microbial symbioses influence large-scale ecosystem processes like primary production and carbon sequestration.

• Ph.D. from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (Japan)
• Office: 727.553.1106 | Email: mmarsbrisbin@usf.edu

Research Focus: The MICO Lab studies mechanisms of microbial interactions in aquatic systems, host-symbiont recognition in phytoplankton, resource mediation in symbiotic relationships, and evolutionary resilience of microbial communities. Key systems include:

• Acantharia-Phaeocystis endosymbioses
• Phaeocystis colony-microbiome interactions
• Bacterial interactions with Pyrodinium bahamense (HAB-forming dinoflagellate)

Using meta'omics, microscopy, and environmental sampling, Dr. Brisbin's team investigates how climate change and extreme events (hurricanes, heatwaves) alter microbial community dynamics and ecosystem feedback mechanisms. Their work addresses critical questions about carbon fixation, nutrient cycling, and microbial relationship stability under environmental stress.

Lab & Outreach Activities: The MICO Lab actively engages in community education through initiatives like:

• St. Pete Science Festival exhibits with live plankton imaging
• USF CMS Art & Science Exhibit with plankton block prints
• Oceanography Camp for Girls mentorship
• Virtual science sessions with elementary school students