Damian earned a Ph.D. from the University of Victoria, his research focusing on euphotic zone nitrification and its implications for measurements of new production in coastal and open ocean regions of the NE subarctic Pacific as well as in the Sargasso Sea. In addition, Damian investigated nitrous oxide distributions in the NE subarctic Pacific and the factors regulating its distribution and fluxes to the atmosphere. Damian also earned a M.Sc. degree (biogeochemical oceanography) at the University of Victoria and a B.Sc. Honors degree at the University of Tasmania.
Scientifically, Damian is primarily interested in nitrogen cycling in the ocean and he has become increasingly involved in work which investigates the impact that decreasing dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the ocean will have for the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen. Future plans involve conducting research into the implications of decreasing DO for nitrous oxide production and the different production pathways. Throughout his oceanography career Damian has spent a considerable amount of time conducting research at sea and has participated in research cruises around the globe.
Damian joined NEPTUNE Canada in September 2012 and has been involved with the Quality Assurance/Quality Control of NEPTUNE data. He has been working with Marlene Jefferies (VENUS) to implement a system to run automated real-time quality control checks of incoming NEPTUNE Canada data. Damian also recently worked with Richard Dewey and Steve Mihaly to design and deploy autonomous moorings in the Straits of Juan de Fuca and Georgia; these moorings will monitor intrusions of upwelled hypoxic bottom water.
NEPTUNE Canada staff are listed below. For more contacts, see our full listing of staff within VENUS, Ocean Networks Canada, and the Ocean Networks Canada Centre for Enterprise and Engagement.
Kate Moran, director
Kim Juniper, associate director
Fern Johnson, associate director
Ian Kulin, associate director (interim)
The following external consultants have worked closely with NEPTUNE Canada in the past.
Benoît Pirenne, associate director
Li Yan, Visiting Scientist, China National Ocean Technology Centre
Eric Guillemot, Manager, Software Team
Bob Crosby, Team Lead
Martin Hofmann, systems manager