Nick Baetge, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Scientist

ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

“Being a scientist and sailor is too good to be true.” — Roger Revelle

I am a microbial oceanographer dedicated to exploring the intricate ways marine microbial physiology influences organic carbon flux. My research integrates field observations, experimental incubations, and satellite data to investigate how environmental change influences microbial biomass, community composition, activity, and organic matter cycling.

Currently, I am an Assistant Research Scientist at the ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, leading efforts to assess dissolved organic matter (DOM) processing using both classic remineralization assays and continuous-flow marine bioreactors. I am also working to make high-resolution along-track bio-optical and physiological measurements to contextualize discrete sampling, support satellite ocean color validation, and advance mechanistic understanding of bio–optical relationships.

During my doctoral research at UC Santa Barbara, I studied the temporal and spatial variability of DOM and its bioavailability during the annual North Atlantic phytoplankton bloom. As a postdoctoral researcher and research associate at Oregon State University, I investigated the physiological responses of marine plankton to wildfire-derived ash, diel cycles in phytoplankton optical properties, and helped to advance validation efforts for NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission.

A short reel from a 5-day research cruise off Hawaii. Check out the blogs from this cruise!

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This website was last updated February 09, 2026.
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