Viruses are a ubiquitous and integral component of Earth’s ecosystems, including marine microbial communities. Virally mediated mechanisms play a central role in carbon cycling and export processes. Despite their known prevalence and activity in marine systems, fundamental knowledge gaps preclude robust representation of viruses in marine ecosystem and biogeochemical models.
To build a more cohesive marine virus research community, this workshop will bring together the knowledge and perspectives of microbiologists, viral ecologists, geochemists, and ecosystem and biogeochemical modelers. Participants will discuss existing and aspirational datasets to inform representation of viruses in models. Discussions will also focus on identifying standardized protocols, field and laboratory experiments, and other community activities and tools that would help advance our understanding of marine carbon transport via viruses. This workshop will lead to the publication of a synthesis paper describing our current state of knowledge and a holistic roadmap for addressing gaps in our observations, process understanding, and technological and computing capabilities to propel marine virus research forward and improve our capacity to understand, model and predict their roles in marine ecosystem function. Keynote speakers will include:
From Levine et al., 2025
Registration for the workshop will open in Fall 2026 and be announced via OCB communication outlets. We will also continue to add information to the workshop website. If you have any interest in attending, please fill out this preliminary expression of interest form to help inform our planning.
Sheri Floge (Wake Forest University)
Jessica Labonté (Texas A&M University at Galveston)
David Talmy (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
Stephanie Dutkiewicz (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Matthew Sullivan (Ohio State Univ.)
Assaf Vardi (Weizmann Institute of Science)
Kim Thamatrakoln (Rutgers Univ.)
Joshua S. Weitz (Univ. of Maryland)
Debbie Lindell (Technion - Israel Institute of Technology)
OCB has arranged for a room block at the Grand Galvez where the workshop will be held. Participants need to reserve and pay for their own rooms. The deadline for room block reservations is January 7 for the Grand Galvez. We have an overflow block at the Doubletree by Hilton Galveston Beach. That deadline is January 10, 2027.
Mention Marine Virus Workshop when you book to get the negotiated rate.
2/7/2076-2/11/2027
Grand Galvez
2024 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, Texas 77550
409-765-7721
https://grandgalvez.com/
Book your group rate for Marine Virus Workshop
This hotel is for overflow:
Doubletree by Hilton Galveston Beach
1702 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, Texas 77551
The booking link is all set to go for your group Marine Virus Workshop Group
Singles or Double Rooms Rate 105.00 plus tax
Below please find additional reminder points and information!
If you are in need of travel support to attend this meeting OCB has limited funds which will be distributed as stipends to offset travel costs (we cannot cover full costs). We encourage you to seek additional support form your department or other sources.
There is a registration fee for this workshop, once applications are reviewed and participants accepted we will share the details. DRAFT EXAMPLE: Registration fees will be $150 for Early Career, $250 for regular, and $75 for online participants.
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Funding for the Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry Project Office is provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The OCB Project Office is housed at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.