Welcome to Mark Nielsen's Web page

I am a PhD candidate in Oceanography at Oregon State University.  This website is a place where I share a little bit about my research as well as a place to let friends and family keep up with my adventures as a graduate student and new parent.

My main focus is applied biogeochemistry and the working title of my dissertation is "Utilization of natural and supplemental biofuels for harvesting energy from marine sediments."  This work involves  developing benthic microbial fuel cells which are devices to convert chemical energy into electrical energy.  The goal of this work is to eventually provide an inexhaustible power source for sensors in aquatic systems.  I work on this project with my PhD advisor, Dr. Clare Reimers.  Our lab is located at the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the beautiful Oregon coast.

Besides graduate school I spend most of my time with my wife Steph and our daughter, Scarlett Kate.  We enjoy sailing, hiking, camping and traveling as a family.  Click on the photo albums link above to see some of our adventures.  My other interests are cooking, SCUBA diving and ice hockey (despite living the hockey wasteland of Oregon).  Thanks for stopping by and feel free to contact me if you have comments or questions.