Clare Reimers

Clare Reimers is a Distinguished Professor at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University. Reimers is known for research on the Redox|redox chemistry of marine sediments and for advancing the construction and use of ships in marine research.
== Education and career ==
Reimers has a B.A. from University of Virginia (1976), and an M.S. from Oregon State University (1978) with a dissertation entitled "The flow mechanics and resulting erosional and depositional features of explosive volcanic density currents on earth and Mars". In 1981, Reimers earned a Ph.D. from Oregon State University. Subsequently, Reimers worked at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Rutgers University before returning to Oregon State in 2000.
As of 2020, Reimers is the president of the ocean sciences section of the American Geophysical Union.
== Research and advances ==
Reimers' early research used a combination of methods to quantify the flux of organic carbon to the seafloor. Reimers was the first to use microelectrodes for in situ measurements of oxygen concentrations in deep ocean sediments. Subsequent work revealed up to 85% of organic carbon found on the seafloor is consumed at the boundary between the sediments and the overlying water column and that the conversion of organic matter to carbon dioxide is highly efficient. Through combining data from oxygen microelectrodes and sediment traps, Reimers worked with colleagues to determine that the rates of organic matter remineralization in the continental shelf exceed the rate of organic carbon supplied to the seafloor.
Reimers has also developed benthic Microbial fuel cell|microbial fuel cells that generate power based on the redox gradient between reduced seafloor sediments and the oxidized seawater above the seafloor and within a cold seep in Monterey Bay. These fuel cells rely on microorganisms that move electrons as they decompose organic matter that has fallen from the surface ocean to the seafloor.
Reimers advances sea-going marine research by guiding the construction of new research vessels and by training junior scientists. Reimers was the lead PI for the first chief scientist workshop cruise in 2011, thereby beginning an initiative that has now led to thirteen of these cruises that provide early career scientists with hands on experience in planning and running research cruises. From 2009 to 2015, Reimers chaired the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System|UNOLS Fleet Improvement Committee. Currently, Reimers is the lead project scientist for the construction of the R/V Taani that will become part of the UNOLS fleet. Reimers is also president-elect of the Ocean Sciences section of the American Geophysical Union.
The Oceanography Society recognized Reimers in 2019 and the citation reads:
For advancing sedimentary redox chemistry and microbiology using oxygen, pH, and pCO2 microelectrodes and leading the development of the next generation of regional class research vessels
Reimers has three patents related to work on microbial fuel cells (, , )
== Awards ==
* Fellow, American Geophysical Union (2009)
* Distinguished Professor, Oregon State University (2019)
* Fellow, The Oceanography Society (2019)
Category:University of Virginia alumni
Category:Women oceanographers