Education

B.A. University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Research Interests

All living organisms require nutrients for growth.  Nitrogen (N) is of particular importance because it limits primary production in much of the open ocean (i.e. constrains biomass because it is in lowest supply relative to the needs of the cell).  My research aims to investigate the competition for N between autotrophs and heterotrophs, and how this competition affects the biological pump and sequestration of organic matter in the deep ocean.  This information could also elucidate some of the major planktonic drivers of the N cycle in the ocean.

Field and Research Experience

R/V Hugh R. Sharp, Chesapeake Bay (June, 2009) Part of a field study using cutting edge methods to determine rates of nitrogen and carbon uptake along a latitudinal gradient in the Chesapeake Bay.

R/V Atlantic Explorer, Bermuda (June, 2009) Cruise as part of the microbial oceanography course at BIOS, we took samples to elucidate community structure (via T-RFLP) and proteomics.

R/V Atlantic Explorer, Bermuda (April, 2009) Preliminary samples for archaeal ammonium uptake and oxidation at Bermuda Atlantic Time Series site.

R/V Pelican, Gulf of Mexico, Florida (October, 2008) Nutrient uptake kinetics of Karenia brevis, a harmful algal bloom species.

R/V Thompson, Monterey Bay, California (July, 2006) Investigation of photo-oxidative and bacterial breakdown products of zooplankton-produced FDOM signal.

Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Massachusetts, Boston (December, 2005 to May, 2006)  verification of in situ source of zooplankton produced fluorescence signal.

Honors and Awards

Virginia Institute of Marine Science Council Fellowship (2007 - 2009)

William J. Hargis Jr. Fellowship Award (2007)

Publications

Urban-Rich, J., S.E. Baer, M. Sutor, H. Liu, R. Powell (submitted) Fine-scale measurements of zooplankton inputs to FDOM in the Gulf of Mexico.

Urban-Rich, J., S.E. Baer (in preparation) The fate of zooplankton-produced fluorescent dissolved organic matter.

Presentations

Urban-Rich, J., S.E. Baer (2008) Detection and fate of zooplankton-produced FDOM in Monterey Bay.  ASLO Ocean Sciences Meeting, Orlando, FL.

Urban-Rich, J., S.E. Baer, M. Sutor (2007) Using FDOM to detect zooplankton in the Gulf of Mexico.  Estuarine Research Federation annual meeting, Providence, RI.

Professional Work Experience

eBusiness Manager, Electric Insurance Company (2001 - 2005)

Business Development Manager, Openpages, Inc. (2000 - 2001)

Worlwide Alliances Manager, Parametric Technology Corporation (1996 - 2000)