Clare Reimers, 2009 Fellow of the American Geophysical Union

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Clare Reimers Named Fellow of AGU

Clare Reimers, Professor of Chemical Oceanography at Oregon State University, was named a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in 2009.

The international scientific organization AGU focuses on the understanding of the Earth and space, and promotes research, education and outreach in fields including geology, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, volcanism, seismology, and others. Acceptance as fellows to the AGU is restricted to fewer than one-tenth of 1 percent of its members each year. Reimers will be honored at the American Geophysical Union’s General Assembly May 24–27 in Toronto, Canada.

Reimers is on the faculty of OSU’s College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, and also works out of the university’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Her research has focused on the biogeochemistry of ocean sediments and the development of chemical sensors for quantifying ocean chemical distribution and fluxes.

Most recently she received attention for her efforts to develop long-term power sources for ocean sensors that harness energy from marine sediments and phytoplankton. These power sources are similar to batteries but they are fueled with decaying plankton and catalyzed by bacteria.

“The ocean is rich in microorganisms adept at shuttling electrons to fuel cell electrodes,” Reimers said.

Reimers also is leading a research program aimed at developing the capability to assess from ocean observatories how the benthic component of the coastal carbon cycle may vary over time and contribute or respond to human impacts and climate variability. Her studies have been funded by the National Science Foundation, NOAA, the Department of Defense and other sources.

Reimers received a BS in Environmental Science in 1976 from the University of Virginia. She received an MS in Oceanography in 1978 and a PhD in 1982 from Oregon State University. After positions at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Rutgers University, Reimers came to Oregon State University in 2000 as Professor, Senior Research, and was named Professor with tenure in 2002. From 2000–2005, Reimers served as Director of the Cooperative Institute for Marine Resource Studies.

Professor Clare Reimers

Professor Clare Reimers.

Prototype plankton fuel cells.

Reimers recovering a seafloor tripod, 1995.

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