Kurt is a PhD student in the Schwartzman lab. He studies coastal marine microbial communities in Southern California and how they interact with the microscopic life stage of giant kelp, with a specific focus on how microbial communities affect microscopic kelp growth. He combines fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and bioinformatic analyses to get to the bottom of these questions. Prior to starting at USC, he worked as a technician at MIT, studying Prochlorococcus ecology and physiology and received his BA in Marine Science at Boston University, studying Clownfish ecology and evolution. Outside of the lab, he enjoys the beach, hiking, and exploring new restaurants and breweries.
Schwartzman Lab 