Education

• B.S., The Chinese University of Hong Kong
• M.Phil., The Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Ph.D., University of Connecticut

Research Interests

Planktonic and Microbial Processes

Microbial and planktonic organisms constitute the bulk of the biomass and biodiversity in the ocean, and are the foundation of the marine ecosystem. We combine laboratory experiments, field observations and modeling to study their roles in ecological and biogeochemical processes. Our most recent work includes:

• Bacteria-zooplankton interactions: Bacteria and zooplankton are traditionally viewed as two disparate functional groups in the aquatic environments. However, microscopy and bioassays reveal that the exterior and interior of a zooplankton body are heavily colonized by bacteria, often at densities many orders of magnitude higher than ambient free-living bacteria. These dense clusters of zooplankton-associating bacteria provide many new and exciting research opportunities for scientists. Some of the issues we are working on include bacterial diversity associated with zooplankton, the effects of zooplankton's physiology and behavior on the associating bacteria, and release of bacteria by zooplankton during defecation and decomposition. [Click here to learn more]

• Zooplankton carcasses in the natural environments: A basic need in zooplankton research is accurate assessment of population abundances. Researchers often collect, preserve and enumerate field samples without the knowledge of the live/dead composition of the animals. This oversight could lead to erroneous understanding of many fundamental pelagic processes. We have tested and refined simple staining methods for identifying live vs. dead zooplankton in field samples. With these methods we can now systematically study the live-dead compositions of zooplankton in the natural environments, the causes of in situ mortality, and the fate of the carcasses. [Click here to learn more]

• Microbial dynamics on marine snow particles: Fluxes of marine snow (marine detritus) are thought to be a key mechanism for transporting carbon to the deep ocean. Yet, marine snow also densely harbors micro-organisms, whose activities transform and degrade marine snow, with significant ramifications for carbon fluxes. We study the dynamics of microbial communities on marine snow particles, using experiments, observations and modeling. Focuses are on colonization of marine snow by micro-organisms, and species interactions within these microbial communities. [Click here to learn more]

• Phaeocystis physiology and ecology: Phaeocystis is one of the most dominant phytoplankton genera in the world, and also one of the most intriguing phytoplankton groups. It has a complex life cycle that alternates between small solitary cells (a few micrometers) and large mucilaginous colonies (up to a few centimeters). This drastic change in effective size has created many interesting questions about its physiology and ecology. We are studying Phaeocystis colony formation in response to environmental conditions and grazing pressure, and buoyancy regulation by the colonies.  Some of this work was conducted in U.S. McMurdo Station, Antarctica and Vietnam. [Click here to learn more]

Commitment to Science Education

In addition to formal classroom teaching and student mentoring at VIMS, I have been actively involved in educational outreach activities. I am also committed to increasing the participation of traditionally underrepresented students in marine science research and higher education.

Student opportunities. Opportunities are available for students interested in pursuing internships, M.S. or Ph.D. in the area of plankton/microbial ecology. Candidates should have a strong background in natural sciences and strong quantitative and writing skills. Field/lab experience related to plankton/microbial research is highly desirable. Interested individuals may send me a brief description of your academic background and experience. You may also contact me by email or by phone for more information.

NSF GK-12 Fellowship. I am leading the NSF funded GK-12: PERFECT (Partnership between Educators and Researchers for Enhancing Classroom Teaching). The NSF GK-12 Program supports fellowships and training for graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through interactions with teachers and students in K-12 schools, graduate fellows can improve their communication and teaching skills while enriching STEM content and instruction for their K-12 partners. PERFECT is the only marine science-focused GK-12 in the Chesapeake Bay region. Fellows will team with professional teachers to introduce their research to the K-12 classrooms. Fellows receive a $30K annual stipend plus $10.5K education allowance and other benefits. If you are someone who believes in the importance of science education, or someone who wants to go beyond research training and learn teaching and communication skills, then GK-12 PERFECT is perfect for you! Click here or contact me for more information. 

Click to Learn More About My Lab

• A letter to prospective students
• New Perspective on Plankton Ecology
• Students' evaluation of my teaching
• My curriculum vitae
• My Google Scholar profile
• Tour of the lab

Current and Past Projects

• Targeted Infusion Project: Education partnership in climate change and sustainability (EPiCCS) (funded by NSF-HRD; ongoing)
• Dynamics of zooplankton community in Maryland Coastal Bays and their driving mechanisms (funded by NSF-CREST via University of Maryland Eastern Shore; ongoing)
• GK-12: Partnership between Educators and Researchers for Enhancing Classroom Teaching (PERFECT) (funded by NSF GK-12; ongoing) [Project Website]
• Experimental investigations of the giant colonies of Phaeocystis globosa in China (funded by NSF-OCE; ongoing) [Project Summary]
• Bringing Out the Dead: Distribution and microbial decomposition of copepod carcasses in the marine environment (funded by NSF-OCE; completed) [Project Summary]
• DREAMS-II: A novel program to recruit and educate underrepresented students in geosciences (funded by NSF-GeoEd; completed) [Project Summary] [Feel the DREAMS Spirit] [Dream the Ocean Clean]
• Linking zooplankton ecology and microbial ecology: Experimental study of microbial processes on copepod carcasses (funded by Jeffress Memorial Trust; completed)
• Planning activities between Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Jinan University, China (funded by NSF-OISE; completed)
• DREAMS – Diversity in Research in Environmental And Marine Sciences (funded by NSF-DBI and NOAA-CMER; completed)
• Environmental and ecological regulation of differences and interactions between solitary and colonial forms of Phaeocystis antarctica (funded by NSF-ANT; completed)
• Microbial dynamics on marine snow particles (funded by NSF-OCE; completed) 
• Effects of plankton composition and nutritional quality on growth of newly metamorphosed winter flounder (funded by NOAA-CMER; completed)
• Copepods as microbial hotspots for DMSP dynamics: Effects of host feeding activities on attached DMSP-consuming bacteria (funded by Jeffress Memorial Trust; completed)

Selected Publications

(*student co-authors under my supervision; click on [PDF] or email me for copies)

Bacteria-Zooplankton Interactions

• Tang KW, Dziallas C, Grossart H-P (2011) Zooplankton and aggregates as refuge for aquatic bacteria: Protection from UV, heat and ozone stresses used for water treatment. Environmental Microbiology 13:378-390 [PDF]
• Tang KW, Turk V, Grossart H-P (2010) Linkage between crustacean zooplankton and aquatic bacteria. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 61:261-277 [PDF]
• Grossart H-P, Dziallas C, Leunert F, Tang KW (2010) Bacteria dispersal by hitch hiking on zooplankton. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107:11959-11964 [PDF] [PDF-suppl. info.]
• Tang K, Dziallas C, Hutalle-Schmelzer K, Grossart H-P (2009) Effects of food on bacterial community composition associated with the copepod Acartia tonsa Dana. Biology Letters 5:549-553 [PDF]
• Grossart HP, Dziallas C, Tang KW (2009) Bacterial diversity associated with freshwater zooplankton. Environmental Microbiology Reports 1:50-55 [PDF]
• Tang KW (2005) Copepods as microbial hotspots in the ocean: effects of host feeding activities on attached bacteria. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 38:31-40 [PDF]

Zooplankton Carcasses and in situ Mortality

• Tang KW, Elliott DT (accepted) Copepod carcasses: Occurrence, fate and ecological importance. In: Seuront L (ed) Copepods: Diversity, Habitat and Behavior. Nova Science Publishers
• Kirillin G, Grossart H-P, Tang KW (2012) Modeling sinking rates of zooplankton carcasses: Effects of stratification and mixing. Limnology and Ocean0graphy 57:881-894
• Elliott DT*, Tang KW (2011) Influence of carcasses abundance on estimates of mortality and assessment of population dynamics in Acartia tonsa. Marine Ecology Progress Series 427:1-12 [PDF] [NSF press release]
• Elliott DT*, Tang KW (2011) Spatial and temporal distributions of live and dead copepods in the lower Chesapeake Bay (Virginia, USA). Estuaries and Coasts 34:1039-1048 [PDF]
• Bickel SL*, Hammond JDM*, Tang KW (2011) Boat-generated turbulence as a potential source of mortality among copepods. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 401:105-109 [BBC Earth News] [VIMS press release]
• Elliott DT*, Harris CK, Tang KW (2010) Dead in the water: The fate of copepod carcasses in the York River estuary, Virginia. Limnology and Oceanography 55:1821-1834 [PDF]
• Elliott DT*, Tang KW (2009) Simple staining method for differentiating live and dead marine zooplankton in field samples. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods 7:585-594 [PDF]
• Bickel SL*, Tang KW, Grossart HP (2009) Use of aniline blue to distinguish live and dead crustacean zooplankton composition in freshwaters. Freshwater Biology 54:971-981 [PDF]

Marine Snow Study

• Anderson TR, Tang KW (2010) Carbon cycling and POC turnover in the mesopelagic zone of the ocean: Insights from a simple model. Deep-Sea Research II 57:1581-1592 [PDF]
• Tang KW, Grossart HP (2007) Iron effects on colonization behavior, motility and enzymatic activity of marine bacteria. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 53:968-974 [PDF]
• Yam EM*, Tang KW (2007) Starvation effects on aggregate colonization and motility of marine bacteria. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 48:207-215 [PDF]
• Tang KW, Grossart HP, Yam EM*, Jackson GA, Ducklow HW, Kiørboe T (2006) Mesocosm study of particle dynamics and control of particle-associated bacteria by flagellate grazing. Marine Ecology Progress Series 325:15-27 [PDF]

Polar and Subpolar Research

• Tang KW, Nielsen TG, Munk P, Mortensen J, Møller EF, Arendt KE, Tönnesson K, Pedersen TJ (2011) Metazooplankton community structure, feeding rate estimates, and hydrography in a meltwater influenced Greenlandic fjord. Marine Ecology Progress Series 434:77-90 [PDF]
• Tang KW, Smith WO Jr, Shields AR, Elliott DT* (2009) Survival and recovery of Phaeocystis antarctica (Prymnesiophyceae) from prolonged darkness and freezing. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 276:81-90 [PDF] [PDF-suppl. info.]

• Tang KW, Smith WO Jr, Elliott DT*, Shields AR (2008) Colony size of Phaeocystis antarctica (Prymnesiophyceae) as influenced by zooplankton grazers. Journal of Phycology 44:1372-1378 [PDF]
• Elliott DT*, Tang KW, Shields AR (2008) Mesozooplankton beneath the summer sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica: Abundance, species composition, and DMSP content. Polar Biology 32:113-122 [PDF]

Phaeocystis Ecology

• Smith WO Jr, Liu X, Tang KW, Delizo LM, Hai DN, Lam NN, Wang X (in press) Giantism and its role in the harmful algal bloom species Phaeocystis globosa. Deep-Sea Research II
• Wang X*, Tang KW (2010) Buoyancy regulation in Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel colonies. Open Marine Biology Journal 4:115-121 [PDF]

• Wang X*, Tang KW, Wang Y, Smith WO Jr. (2010) Temperature effects on growth, colony development and carbon partitioning of three Phaeocystis species. Aquatic Biology 9:239-249 [PDF]
• Tang KW (2003) Grazing and colony size development in Phaeocystis globosa (Prymnesiophyceae): the role of a chemical signal. Journal of Plankton Research 25:831-842 [PDF]
• Tang KW, Jakobsen HH, Visser AW (2001) Phaeocystis globosa (Prymnesiophyceae) and the planktonic food web: Feeding, growth and trophic interactions among grazers. Limnology & Oceanography 46:1860-1870 [PDF]

General Plankton/Microbial Studies

• Bickel SL*, Tang KW, Grossart H-P (2012) Ciliate epibionts associated with crustacean zooplankton in German lakes: Distribution, motility and bacterivory. Frontiers in Microbiology 3:243 [PDF]
• Grossart H-P, Frindte K, Dziallas C, Eckert W, Tang KW (2011) Microbial methane production in oxygenated water column of an oligotrophic lake. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108:19657-19661 [PDF]
• Tang KW, Glud R, Glud A, Rysgaard S, Nielsen TG (2011) Copepod guts as biogeochemical hotspots in the sea: Evidence from microelectrode profiling of Calanus spp. Limnology & Oceanography 56:666-672 [PDF]
• Veloza AJ*, Chu F-L, Tang KW (2006) Trophic modification of essential fatty acids by heterotrophic protists and its effects on the fatty acid composition of the copepod Acartia tonsa. Marine Biology 148:779-788 [PDF]
• Tang KW, Taal M* (2005) Trophic modification of food quality by heterotrophic protists: Species-specific effects on copepod egg production and egg hatching. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 318:85-98 [PDF]

Current and Former Lab Members

• Jami Ivory - MS thesis (TBD)
• Yuan Dong - visiting PhD student (Ocean University of China) sponsored by the China Scholarship Council
• Sikai Peng - PhD disssertation "Effects of peritrich epibiont ciliates on the copepod Acartia tonsa in Chesapeake Bay" (co-advised by Dr. Ryan Carnegie)
• Haley Garrison - MS thesis "Effects of episodic turbulence on phytoplankton mortality and physiology"
• Samantha Bickel - PhD dissertation "Abundance, structure and function of zooplankton-associated bacterial communities within the York River, VA"
• Kayelyn Simmons (2010-2011 undergraduate intern; Hampton University)
• Daniel Ingham (2010-2011 undergraduate intern; Hampton University)
• Joseph Hammond (2010 undergraduate intern; Hampton University)
• David Elliott - PhD dissertation "The occurrence of carcasses, mortality and population dynamics of copepods in the lower Chesapeake Bay" - Completed July 2010
• Dr. Marc Andersen Borg - postdoc (2009-2010)
• Dr. Ravi Kumar - visiting scientist from India sponsored by POGO-SCOR fellowship (2010)
• Dr. Yan Wang - visiting professor from Jinan University sponsored by the China Scholarship Council (2009-2010) (co-hosted by Dr. Walker Smith)
• Young-Ah (Lucy) Lee - intern from Virginia Governor's School of Science and Technology (2009-10) (presently in Wellesley College)
• Samantha Bickel - MS thesis "Anthropogenic Causes of Copepod Mortality and Bacterial Exoenzymatic Activity associated with Carcass Decomposition" - Completed July 2009
• Xiaodong Wang - visiting PhD student (Ocean University of China) sponsored by the China Scholarship Council (2007-2009) (co-hosted by Dr. Walker Smith)
• Emily Yam - MS thesis "The Role of Bacteria-Particle Interactions in Marine Snow Dynamics" - Completed June 2007
• Adriana Veloza - MS thesis "Transfer of Essential Fatty Acids by Marine Plankton" (co-advised by Dr. F.L. Chu) - Completed November 2005
• Alle Lie (2006 undergraduate intern; Chinese University of Hong Kong)
• Curtis Freund (2005/6 undergraduate intern; St. Cloud State University)
• Julie Galkiewicz (2006 undergraduate intern; College of William & Mary)
• Christopher Schweitzer (2005 CMER intern)
• Letacia Sims (2004-5 DREAMS intern)
• Katia Chaterji (2005 Virginia Governor's School intern)
• Zena Cardman (2004 highschool volunteer)
• Maiyai Taal (2003/4 undergraduate intern; Hampton University)
• Corey Bacchus (2004 REU summer intern)
• Lisa Marko (2003 REU summer intern)
• Yassaman Pourkazemi (2003 Virginia Governor's School intern)

Courses Taught

• MSCI 460: Oceans and Climate (Fall 2012)
• MSCI 501D: Fundamentals of Marine Science- Biological Oceanography (Fall 2011)
• MSCI 460: Oceans and Climate (Spring 2011)
• MSCI 330: Introduction to Marine Science (with Mark Patterson; Spring 2011)
• MSC 698: Mechanistic Approach to Plankton Ecology (Spring 2010)
• MSCI 526: Principles of Marine Ecology (with Walker Smith; Spring 2009)
• MSCI 698: Harmful Algal Blooms (with Debbie Bronk; Fall 2008)
• MSCI 501L: Fundamentals of Marine Science Lab (Fall; 2003-2007)
• MSCI 652: Marine Plankton Ecology (with Walker Smith and Hugh Ducklow; Fall 2007)
• MSCI 660: Zooplankton Ecology (with Debbie Steinberg; Spring in alternate years)
• MSCI 698: Ecological Stoichiometry (with Emmett Duffy; Spring 2004)
• MSCI 698: Physical Perspectives in Plankton Ecology (Spring 2003)

Faculty and Student Awards

• Limnology & Oceanography Outstanding Reviewer, ASLO Bulletin 2012 February issue
• Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers, Humboldt Foundation, Germany, 2010
• Robert F. and Sara M. Boyd Term Distinguished Associate Professor, 2010-2013 
• Alumni Fellowship Award, William & Mary Alumni Association, 2009
• NorFA Mobility Scholarship, Norway, October 2001
• Postdoctoral scholarship, Carlsberg Foundation, Denmark, 2000-2002
• Andres J Nalwalk Memorial Award, University of Connecticut, 2000
• Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research, 1998
• Edward Victor Gant Scholarship, University of Connecticut, 1997

Awards to my students:

• David Elliott --- VIMS 2011 Best Student Paper Award for the paper: Elliott DT, Harris CK, Tang KW (2010) Dead in the water: The fate of copepod carcasses in the York River estuary, Virginia. Limnology and Oceanography 55:1821-1834
• Samantha Bickel --- IGB Fellowship, Germany (2010)
• Samantha Bickel --- VIMS Student Research Grant (2010)
• Young-Ah Lee --- Virginia Tidewater Science Fair Grand Prize 2^nd place (2010)
• Samantha Bickel --- ASLO Student Travel Award (2009)
• Samantha Bickel --- Reves Graduate Student International Travel Grant (2008)
• Emily Yam --- VIMS 2008 Best Student Paper Award for the paper: Yam EM, Tang KW (2007) Starvation effects on aggregate colonization and motility of marine bacteria. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 48:207-215

• Samantha Bickel --- Reves Graduate Student International Travel Grant (2007)
• Adriana Veloza --- VIMS 2006 Best Student Paper Award for the paper: Veloza AJ, Chu FL, Tang KW (2006) Trophic modification of essential fatty acids by heterotrophic protists and its effects on the fatty acid composition of the copepod Acartia tonsa. Marine Biology 148:779-788
• Emily Yam --- Reves Graduate Student International Travel Grant (2005)
• Adriana Veloza --- ERF conference "Top 50 Students" award (2005)
• Adriana Veloza --- Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar (2003-2004)
• Adriana Veloza --- Sigma Xi GIAR (2003-2004)
• Maiyai Taal --- ASLO-SAML Outstanding Student Presentation Award (2004)

National and International Invitations

• Visiting scientist, Red Sea Research Center, KAUST, Saudi Arabia, 2012
• Invited instructor, Integrative aquatic microbial-plankton ecology (4 credits graduate level), University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2007 & 2010
• Visiting scientist, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Germany, 5 times between 2004 and 2010
• Invited participant, BOFYGO research cruise, R/V Dana, Greenland, 2010 
• Invited instructor, Nordic Marine Academy advanced course, The challenge of pelagic feeding: From prey detection to secondary production, Denmark, 2007 and 2009
• Visiting scientist, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Germany, 2009
• Invited participant, ECO-GREEN workshop, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Greenland, 2009
• Invited participant, ECO-GREEN research cruise, R/V Dana, Greenland, 2008
• Visiting scientist, Danish Technical University, Denmark, 2008
• Selected participant, Mathematical Biosciences Workshop (Microbial Ecology), Ohio State University, 2006
• Invited instructor, Experimental approaches in marine zooplankton ecology: Concepts and strategies toward global change research, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2004
• TUBITAK-BAYG-Visiting Scientist, Middle East Technical University, Turkey, 2002
• Selected participant, ASLO-DIALOG IV, Bermuda, 2001
• Selected participant, National Research Council Fifty Years of Ocean Discovery Symposium, Washington, D.C., 1998

Professional Memberships

• Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO)
• Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
• World Association of Copepodologists
• Union of Concerned Scientists

External Appointments

• Co-chair, ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting (New Orleans, 2013)
• Critical Stakeholder Reviwer, Next Generation Science Standards (2012)
• Member, Diversity Committee, American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
• Review Editor, Marine Ecology Progress Series
• Review Editor, Frontiers in Aquatic Microbiology
• Editorial Board, ISRN Ecology
• Editorial Board, The Scientific World Journal
• Editorial Board, Journal of Marine Science: Research & Development
• Editorial Board, Journal of Ocean University of China (English edition)

Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Efforts

• Microbial methane production in oxic waters--- w/ H-P Grossart (Germany), W. Eckert (Israel)
• Zooplankton as biogeochemical hotspots--- w/ R. Glud, A. Glud, T. Nielsen (Denmark), H-P Grossart (Germany), S. Rysgaard (Greenland)
• Zooplankton-bacteria interactions --- w/ Hans-Peter Grossart (Germany)
• Plankton dynamics in Maryland coastal bays--- w/ Paulinus Chigbu (UMES)
• Biology and ecology of Phaeocystis sp. --- w/ Walker Smith (VIMS)
• Biology and ecology of ciliate epibionts --- w/ Ryan Carnegie (VIMS)
• GK-12 PERFECT --- w/ Iris Anderson (VIMS)