(Text by ZHAO Yuan, zhaoyuan@qdio.ac.cn)
I was born in a coastal city, where I spent my childhood exploring tidal pools and observing the movements of tide and life. Each visit to the shore brought new discoveries such as tiny shells, drifting algae, and burrowing crabs. These early experiences sparked a deep fascination with marine life and led me to pursue a career in ocean science.
Today, I focus on the ecology of marine microorganisms, the smallest yet most abundant life forms in the ocean. My research encompasses a wide range of planktonic groups, including viruses, heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria, eukaryotic phytoplankton, and ciliates. These microscopic organisms form the base of the marine food web. By investigating their diversity, abundance, spatial patterns, and environmental responses, I aim to understand their functional roles in maintaining the stability of marine ecosystems.
Since the beginning of my research career, I have collaborated closely with marine microbiologists at the Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM) and the Institut Méditerranéen d’Océanologie (MIO) in France. We have jointly completed five research projects and co-authored more than twenty scientific papers. I am also a core member of the Sino-French Joint Laboratory on the Functional Dynamics of Marine Microorganisms (IRP DYF2M), an international platform for interdisciplinary collaboration. In recognition of my contributions to Sino-French scientific collaboration, I was selected for the 2024 "Women in Science: A Franco-Chinese Perspective" portrait exhibition.
Over the years, I have published more than 80 scientific articles, including 45 SCI-indexed papers, and authored the monograph Ecology of the Marine Planktonic Microbial Food Web. To me, studying marine microbes is a way of exploring the invisible drivers of ocean life. I hope that through this work, we can deepen our understanding of microbial dynamics and support the conservation and resilience of marine ecosystems in a changing world.
(Editor: ZHANG Yiyi)