Acquisition of a high-throughput gas chromatograph for marine biomarker analyses

资金支持购置一台新的气相色谱仪，用于布朗大学的古海洋学和古气候研究，特别是在烯烃古测温学的应用中，以了解海洋在数千万年到数百万年的时间尺度上、从区域到全球尺度上的气候变化中的作用。实验室现有的设备在高知名度的研究和培养大量年轻科学家方面发挥了核心作用，但它已经达到了使用寿命，必须更换。新仪器的更现代化的功能也将使实验室能够扩展其工具箱，包括更广泛的基于生物标志物的古环境重建代理。更广泛的影响包括为布朗大学和合作机构的研究生和本科生提供技术培训，这进一步支持了学生的研究机会。首席研究员还在每年夏天为高中学生和教师开展积极的外展计划，其中生物标志物分析是主要组成部分。生物标志物研究的结果也通过出版物和积极的演讲计划向普通受众更广泛地传播。

Funds support the acquisition of a new gas chromatograph to be used in paleoceanography and paleoclimate research at Brown University, specifically in the application of alkenone paleothermometry to understanding the ocean's role in climate change on timescales that range from tens to millions of years and from regional to global scales. Existing equipment in the laboratory has played a central role in high profile research and in training a large number of young scientists, but it has reached the end of its serviceable life and must be replaced. The more modern capabilities of the new instrument will also enable to laboratory to expand its toolbox to include a wider array of biomarker-based proxies for paleoenvironmental reconstructions.The broader impacts include technical training for graduate and undergraduate students, both at Brown and from collaborating institutions, which further supports student research opportunities. The lead investigator also maintains an active outreach program for high school students and teachers each summer in which biomarker analysis is a major component. Results of biomarker research are also disseminated more generally through publications and an active speaking program to general audiences.