William P. Cochlan

William P. Cochlan is an Emeritus Lecturer at San Francisco State University since 1998, holding a Ph.D. and B.Sc. from the University of British Columbia and a M.Sc. from Dalhousie University. His research focuses on Marine Microbial Ecology and Oceanography, particularly phytoplankton ecology and physiology, harmful algal blooms (HABs), nutrient dynamics, and ocean acidification. He leads studies on phytoplankton behavior in diverse environments, including polar to equatorial regions, with recent emphasis on HABs in the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Northwest. His work also explores algal biofuels and the impacts of ocean acidification on coastal phytoplankton.

Research highlights include investigating the interplay of light, nutrients, and acidity on phytoplankton growth, toxin production in Pseudo-nitzschia species, and the ecological consequences of HABs. Collaborations include the PICES/MAFF MarWeb project and studies at the Romberg Tiburon Center. His publications span experimental and field-based studies, addressing climate change impacts on marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles.

Key contributions include analyzing domoic acid production mechanisms, ocean acidification effects on phytoplankton nutrition, and the development of biofuel technologies using lipid-rich algae. Ongoing work integrates environmental data with sonar technology to assess fish distribution and habitat dynamics in coastal regions.