Eloise Prime

School of Biological Sciences
Flinders University

GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001

Phone: +6188201 5184
Email: eloise.prime@flinders.edu.au

Click to view Research Gate
 

I studied Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology) at Flinders University, going onto do my honours research and I am currently undertaking my PhD.

Broadly, I am interested in phytoplankton, unicellular algae, and the changes in these communities due to various environmental and biological factors. Specifically, I am fascinated by the diatoms (Class: Bacillariophyceae), which are a form of phytoplankton. They are unique in the fact that the cells are surrounded by silica frustules and are very intricate structures. Diatom communities and structures are used as environmental indicators. I am intrigued that we may get glimpses into the past (as well as the present) environments just by looking at diatom frustules. 

My research looks at large- and microscale variation in phytoplankton communities. In part, I look at spatial and temporal changes to community abundance and diversity over large scales, using the Coorong lagoons in South Australia. I also focus on a particular group of phytoplankton, the diatoms, which forms part of my microscale (less than 1m) studies. Previously, I have looked into how diatom morphology adapts to changes in environmental factors. Now, I am looking at diatom size and variation of diatom size over microscale distances. Further microscale studies look into how phytoplankton communities also vary over these small distances.  

Qualifications
PhD Candidate, BSc. Marine Biology (Hons)