Maria Popescu

IGC FELLOW    |   Global Change Center

Ph.D. Student • Biological Sciences

Advisor: Dr. Cayelan Carey

Research Interests: Freshwater Ecology, Phytoplankton and Biogeochemistry, Forecasting, Climate Change

mariapopescu100@vt.edu • Carey Lab

Maria is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Biological Sciences, advised by Dr. Cayelan Carey. Her research focuses on freshwater ecology, with a particular interest in the role of phytoplankton in nutrient dynamics and biogeochemical cycling. She also explores ecological forecasting, examining the impacts of climate change and human activities on aquatic ecosystems.

Maria graduated from Rhodes College in May 2020 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Environmental Science. In her time at Rhodes, she researched with Dr. Michael Collins studying parasite ecology in birds and Dr. Patrick Kelly exploring nutrient cycling in Mid-South Lakes. In the projects she was involved in with Dr. Kelly, she assisted in collecting and analyzing samples and data at the lakes and in the laboratory in order to incorporate nutrient cycling and carbon processing in the characterization of lake productivity. She was also on a project studying how nutrients, zooplankton, and phytoplankton composition changed within Epping Way, an urban lake, to better understand how an urban lake processes and transports nutrients downstream.

At Virginia Tech, Maria is investigating the factors driving phytoplankton blooms in a reservoir in Virginia. She is passionate about leveraging insights from her research to develop predictive models and forecasts that estimate the timing, depth, and intensity of these blooms. Maria aims to extend these models to other lakes across the United States, providing valuable tools for water resource managers and policymakers to inform decision-making and improve ecosystem management.

Maria is thrilled to be part of IGC, where she can deepen her understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration and its role in shaping policy and driving community action. She is eager to expand her perspective and connect with like-minded peers who share her passion for addressing global change and bridging the gap between science and policy.