Jessica Louise Ray

My research interests lie in integrated use of quantitative (qPCR and droplet digital PCR) and qualitative (NGS) molecular methods for investigation of micro- and meso-scale trophic interactions in pelagic and coastal marine environments. My current research activity includes basic and applied research projects that utilize a variety of molecular tools to characterize and quantify (1) trophic interactions between marine viruses and zooplankton, (2) changes in marine sediment biological diversity as an indicator of impacts from offshore petroleum activity and (3) ancient sedimentary DNA (sedaDNA) in marine sediments as a new proxy for past sea ice reconstructions in the Arctic, (4) predation pressure in marine food webs and (5) the utility of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tracer for keystone organisms in aquatic ecosystem. I am experienced with design of, participation in and coordination of laboratory and field-scale experiments, including seawater mesocosms and research cruises. I am equally comfortable using both written and spoken English and Norwegian as workplace languages.