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Rob Masserini

Rob Masserini
Associate Professor

Office: TECH 673C

Education and Training:

  • 1993 University of Tampa, B.S. in Marine Science and Chemistry
  • 2005 University of South Florida, Ph.D. in Marine Science; with Kent A. Fanning, Ph. D.

Research Interests:

As an undergraduate I chose to attend The University of Tampa and double major in marine science and chemistry because I was interested in the chemical transformations within the oceans. After I graduated from UT, I entered a doctorate program in chemistry, but after a year switched to a marine science Ph.D. program at the University of South Florida. The chemistry training provided me with the skill set to develop underwater sensors and new chemistries to detect very small concentrations of trace ions that are essential for plant life. Subsequently, my research has taken me around the globe, even to Antarctica in winter. I continue to develop instrumentation and chemical methods to improve our understanding of biogeochemical processes.

Figure 1: Research Expedition in Antarctica aboard the R/V Nathaniel Palmer


Figure 2: Water sampling in the Gulf of Mexico aboard the R/V Walton Smith


Figure 3: Preparing chemical analyzer payload for deployment on the R/V Suncoaster


Figure 4: Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) with Nutrient Sensor