OCB WORKSHOP From single cells to ecosystems: Quantifying the role of marine viruses in carbon transport models
February 8-10, Grand Galvez Hotel, Galveston, Texas (hybrid)
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:
- Joshua S. Weitz (Univ. of Maryland)
- Stephanie Dutkiewicz (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
- Matthew Sullivan (Ohio State Univ.)
- Assaf Vardi (Weizmann Institute of Science)
- Kim Thamatrakoln (Rutgers Univ.)
- Debbie Lindell (Technion – Israel Institute of Technology)
Registration for the workshop will open in late summer 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.
