Robert Cowen

Robert (Bob) Cowen is a Professor and the Director of the Hatfield Marine Science Center at Oregon State University. His research focuses on biological oceanography, plankton ecology, and larval fish biology, with a strong emphasis on using advanced in-situ imaging technologies to study marine ecosystems. He has published extensively on topics such as plankton community dynamics, larval fish dispersal, and the role of gelatinous zooplankton in marine food webs and carbon cycling.

Research Interests:

• Biological Oceanography and Plankton Ecology
• Larval Fish Biology and Dispersal
• Marine Ecosystem Connectivity
• In-Situ Marine Imaging and Classification
• Zooplankton Dynamics and Trophic Interactions
• Oceanographic Drivers of Marine Life Distribution

His recent work includes studies on anchovy trophodynamics in the California Current, imaging-based analysis of mixotrophic protists, and the ecological roles of doliolids and filter feeders in coastal upwelling systems. He has also contributed to technological advances in edge computing for real-time plankton classification at sea.

Scientific Contributions:

• Over 100 peer-reviewed articles in marine science and oceanography
• Leadership in collaborative research on plankton size spectra and trophic links
• Development and application of high-throughput in-situ imaging systems
• Studies on fine-scale plankton distributions and predator-prey interactions

Affiliations and Leadership:

• Director, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University
• Professor, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
• Active in interdisciplinary marine research and education initiatives