Lina Taenzer is a PhD candidate in the MIT- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Joint Program studying in the Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science (EAPS) Department at MIT and the Chemical Oceanography Department at WHOI. She is jointly advised by Dr. Colleen Hansel and Dr. Scott Wankel, whose labs research topics related to the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biogeochemical cycles and marine ecosystem health. Previously, Lina has worked on the development of a deep-sea sensor to measure superoxide, which was used to observe ROS dynamics associated with deep-sea corals. She is continuing the study of biologically produced ROS with her current project investigating the potential of measuring the ROS hydrogen peroxide as a tool to monitor the health of seaweeds in aquaculture systems. Biological production of hydrogen peroxide is also linked to the release of bromoform, which impacts stratospheric ozone depletion.
Lina obtained bachelor’s degrees in Earth Sciences and Environmental Science & Policy from Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany. Prior to starting her PhD, she received her Masters in Earth Sciences at Dartmouth College, where she developed an isotopic tracer for a marine methane production source. When outside of the lab, Lina enjoys running, hiking, and trying out new ice cream places.