Thomas Browning

Thomas Browning is a Group Leader and Senior Scientist at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, where he leads research on biogeochemical controls on ocean productivity within the Marine Biogeochemistry division. He holds an ERC Starting Grant for his Ocean Glow project and maintains an active research program investigating nutrient limitations in marine ecosystems.

His educational background includes a DPhil from the University of Oxford (2010-2014) and an MSci from the University of Bristol (2006-2010). Prior to his permanent position at GEOMAR, he was a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow (2015-2017).

Browning's research focuses on understanding the controls on phytoplankton abundance, ecology, and physiology in the ocean through phytoplankton culturing experiments, numerical analysis, and satellite remote sensing. His work spans multiple ocean basins including the Pacific, Atlantic, and Southern Oceans, with particular emphasis on nutrient limitation phenomena and trace metal biogeochemistry. His research reveals complex patterns of nutrient co-limitation across oceanic regions, challenging previous assumptions about single-nutrient limitation.

Analysis of his recent publications shows a strong focus on nutrient interactions in marine systems, particularly iron, nitrogen, and phosphorus limitations across different oceanic regions. His work increasingly integrates satellite remote sensing with in situ measurements to understand large-scale biogeochemical patterns, with significant contributions to understanding how climate variability (including ENSO) affects ocean productivity.

• ERC Starting Grant 'Ocean Glow' (2022-2027)
• ReSEAt project (2022-2025)
• EMS-FORE/EMS-PS project (2021-2026)
• GEOTRACES GP11 participation

Browning leads an active research group conducting field expeditions including recent work in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (M197 cruise) and Cascadia region (SO294 cruise). His research integrates ship-based measurements, laboratory experiments, and satellite data to address fundamental questions about ocean productivity controls under changing climate conditions.