Daniel R. Rogers

Daniel R. Rogers

Associate Professor of Chemistry, Chemistry Department Chair

drogers2@stonehill.edu
508-565-1589
Shields 310
Chemistry

Biography

Dr. Daniel Rogers joined the faculty at Stonehill in 2014. His teaching interests include analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis, environmental chemistry, biogeochemistry and microbiology. He also serves within the Environmental Sciences and Studies Program and is actively working with other faculty to build an Earth and Planetary Sciences program at the College. Dr. Rogers has transdisciplinary research interests, bridging the interface between environmental chemistry and microbiology to better understand how life and the environment shape each other. 

Dr. Rogers' training is equal parts geochemistry and microbiology, earning a M.S. in Oceanography from the University of Connecticut using electrochemical techniques, thermodynamic models and traditional microbiological techniques to investigate the roles of different physiologies in driving the lithification of modern marine stromatolytes. Dr. Rogers then moved to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as a Research Associate, studying metal-oxidizing metabolisms in autotrophic, basalt-oxidizing deep-sea prokaryotes. Much of this work and subsequent work involved designing and building equipment to make appropriate measurements in the environment (in situ). He earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Oceanography from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography where he focused on combining isotopic techniques and molecular biology to better understand the rates of chemical transformation within the nitrogen cycle and which microorganisms drive those changes in a coastal groundwater system. For his postdoc, Dr. Rogers returned to the deep-sea using isotopic studies and molecular biology to constrain the rates of carbon-fixation, methanogenesis and sulfate-reduction at hydrothermal vents. 

At Stonehill College, Rogers’ lab continues to focus on leveraging geochemical and biological techniques to develop a better understanding how chemicals (e.g. nitrogen or pharmaceutical pollutants) travel through the ecosystem, what processes are actively transforming these chemicals and at what rates these transformations occur. He is interested in developing the techniques and instrumentation needed to measure these pollutants in situ. Students working with Dr. Rogers have included undergraduate and graduate researchers from the disciplines of chemistry, biology, geology, physics and engineering. 

Education

  • B.S. University of Connecticut
  • M.S. University of Connecticut
  • Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program

Research Interests

  • Biogeochemical cycling in coastal and deep-sea environments
  • In situ techniques and instruments to access biological activity

Courses Taught

  • General Chemistry 
  • Analytical Chemistry 
  • Advanced Analytical Chemistry 
  • Advanced Chemistry Lab 
  • Global Biogeochemical Cycles 

Selected Publications, Articles & Presentations

  • Mara, P., Edgcomb, V.E., Beaudoin, D.J., Martinsen, C., Lovely, C., Belcher, B., Cox, R., Curran, M., Farnan, C., Giannini, P., Lott, S., Paquette, K., Pinckney, A., Schafer, N. and Rogers, D.R. (submitted). Comparison of oyster aquaculture methods and their potential to enhance microbial nitrogen removal from coastal ecosystems. Frontiers in Microbiology. 
  • Ray, N.E., Hancock, B., Brush, M.J., Colden, A., Cornwell, J., Labrie, M., Maguire, T.J., Maxwell, T., Rogers, D.R., Stevick, R., Unruh, A., Kellogg, L., Smyth, A. and Fulweiler, W. (submitted) A critical review of methods for assessing denitrification in oyster habitats and suggestions for future work. Limnology and Oceanography Methods. 
  • Olins, H.C., Rogers, D.R., Preston, C., Ussler, W., Pargett, D., Jensen, S., Roman, B., Birch, J.M., Scholin, C.A., Haroon, M.F. and P.R. Girguis (2017). Co-registered geochemistry and metatranscriptomics reveal unexpected distributions of microbial activity within a hydrothermal vent field. Frontiers in Microbiology. 8:1042. 
  • Tang, T., Mohr, W., Sattin, S.R., Rogers, D.R., Girguis, P.R. and A. Pearson (2017). Geochemically distinct carbon isotope distributions in Allochromatium vinosum DSM 180T grown photoautotrophically and photoheterotrophically. Geobiology. 2:324-339. 
  • Frank, K.L., Rogers, K.L., Rogers, D.R., Johnston, D.T., and P.R. Girguis (2015). Key factor influencing rates of heterotrophic sulfate reduction in hydrothermal massive sulfide deposits. Frontiers in Microbiology. 6:1449. 
  • Orcutt, B.N., Sylvan, J.B., Rogers, D.R., Delaney, J, Lee, R.W. and P.R. Girguis (2015). Carbon fixation by basalt-hosted microbial communities. Frontiers in Microbiology. 6:1-14. 
  • Rogers, D.R.*, Bose, A.*, Adams, M.M., Joye, S.B. and Girguis, P.R. (2013). Geomicrobiological linkages between short-chain alkane consumption and sulfate reduction rates in seep sediments. Frontiers in Aquatic Microbiology. 4:386. *denotes equal contribution. 
  • Olins, H.C., Rogers, D.R., Frank, K.L., Vidoudez, C., and Girguis, P.R. (2013). Assessing the influence of physical, geochemical, and biological factors on anaerobic microbial primary productivity within hydrothermal vent chimneys. Geobiology 11(3):279-293. 
  • Frank, K.L., Rogers, D.R., Olins, H.C., Vidoudez, C., and Girguis, P.R. (2013). Characterizing the distribution and rates of microbial sulfate reduction at Middle Valley hydrothermal vents, Juan de Fuca Ridge. The ISME Journal 7(7):1391-1401. 
  • Sáenz, J.P., Hopmans, E.C., Rogers, D., Henderson, P.B., Charette, M.A., Schouten, S., Casciotti, K.L., Sinninghe Damsté, J.S. and Eglinton, T.I. (2012). Distribution of anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in a subterranean estuary. Marine Chemistry 136–137(2):7-13.  
  • Rogers, D.R. and Casciotti, K.L. (2010) Quantitative and phylogenetic examination of the ammonia-oxidizing community within a subterranean estuary. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76(24):7938-7948. 
  • Edwards, K.J., Bach, W., McCollom, T.M. and Rogers, D.R. (2004) Neutrophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria in the ocean:  Habitats, diversity, and roles in mineral deposition, rock alteration, and biomass production in the deep-sea. Geomicrobiology Journal 21:393-404. 
  • Rogers, D.R., Santelli, C.M. and Edwards, K.J. (2003) Geomicrobiology of deep-sea deposits: Estimating community diversity from low-temperature seafloor rocks and minerals. Geobiology 1:109-117. 
  • Edwards, K.J., Rogers, D.R., Wirsen, C.O. and McCollom, T.M. (2003) Isolation and Characterization of Novel Psychrophilic, Neutrophilic, Fe-Oxidizing, Chemolithoautotrophic {alpha}- and {gamma}-Proteobacteria from the Deep Sea. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 69:2906-2913. 
  • Edwards, K.J., Bach, W. and Rogers, D.R. (2003) Geomicrobiology of the Ocean Crust: A Role for Chemoautotrophic Fe-Bacteria. Biological Bulletin 204:180-185. 
  • Visscher, P.T., Baumgartner, L.K., Buckley, D.H., Rogers, D.R., Hogan, M.E., Raleigh, C.D., Turk, K.S. and Des Marais, D.J (2003) Dimethyl sulphide and methanethiol formation in microbial mats: potential pathways for biogenic signatures. Environmental Microbiology 5(4):296-308. 
  • 17.  Thor, P., Dam, H.G. and Rogers, D.R. (2003) Fate of organic carbon released from decomposing copepod fecal pellets in relation to bacterial production and ectoenzymatic activity. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 33:279-288. 
  • Visscher, P., Hoeft, S., Surgeon, T., Rogers, D.R., Bebout, B., Thompson, J.J. and Reid, R. (2002) Microelectrode measurements in stromatolites: Unraveling the Earth's past? in Taillefert, M., and Rozan, T., eds., Environmental Electrochemistry: Analyses of Trace Element Biogeochemistry.: ACS Symposium Series: Washington, DC, Oxford University Press. 
  • Hoeft, S.E.; Rogers, D.R. and Visscher, P.T. (2000) Metabolism of methyl bromide and dimethyl sulfide by marine bacteria isolated from coastal and open waters. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 21:221-230. 
  • Tang, K.W., Rogers, D.R., Dam, H.G. and Visscher, P.T. (2000) Seasonal distribution of DMSP among seston, dissolved matter and zooplankton along a transect in the Long Island Sound Estuary. Marine Ecology Progress Series 206:1-11. 

2020 

  • Adam Ziegler and Daniel Rogers. Changes in bacterial communities inhabiting massive sulfide deposits on the Juan de Fuca Ridge across a ~10 My transects. Ocean Sciences Meeting, February 19, San Diego, CA, Poster Presentation 

2019 

  • Peter Giannini, Claire Farnan, Virginia Edgcomb and Daniel Rogers. Effectiveness of Oyster Aquacultures. American Chemical Society National Meeting, April 1st, Orlando FL., Poster Presentation 

2018

  • Daniel Rogers, Virginia Edgcomb, Vivian Mara, Tonna-Marie Rogers, Joan Muller, Christina Lovely and Roy Martinsen. Working towards an ecosystem level understanding of how different oyster aquaculture practices alter nitrogen cycling. 6th Annual Cape Coastal Conference. December 4th, Hyannis, MA. Plenary Presentation (Invited).
  • Daniel Rogers, Virginia Edgcomb, Vivian Mara, Tonna-Marie Rogers, Joan Muller, Roy Martinsen, Christina Lovely. Can shellfish enhance sedimentary denitrification? Woods Hole Sea Grant Site Review. November 6th, Woods Hole, MA. Poster Presentation (Invited). 
  • Daniel Rogers, Virginia Edgcomb, Vivian Mara, Tonna-Marie Rogers, Joan Muller, Roy Martinsen, Christina Lovely. Oyster aquaculture at WBNERR. Estuaries Day, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. September 16th, Falmouth, MA. 
  • Daniel Rogers, Virginia Edgcomb, Vivian Mara, Tonna-Marie Rogers, Roy Martinsen, Christina Lovely. Evaluating effectiveness of different oyster aquaculture strategies. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. July 10th, Falmouth, MA. 
  • Daniel Rogers, Virginia Edgcomb, Vivian Mara, Tonna-Marie Rogers, Roy Martinsen, Christina Lovely. NERRS Science Collaborative:  Evaluating effectiveness of different oyster aquaculture strategies. NERRS-Science Collaborative End Users Meeting. July 10th, Falmouth, MA. 
  • Daniel Rogers, Virginia Edgcomb, Vivian Mara, Tonna-Marie Rogers, Roy Martinsen, Christina Lovely. Evaluating effectiveness of different oyster aquaculture strategies. Citizens for the Protection of Waquoit Bay Annual Meeting. July 9th, Falmouth, MA. 
  • Daniel Rogers, Virginia Edgcomb, Tonna-Marie Rogers, Roy Martinsen, Christina Lovely, Sia Karplus. Evaluating effectiveness of different oyster aquaculture strategies. Falmouth Conservation Committee. April 18th, Falmouth, MA. 
  • Daniel Rogers. Evaluating effectiveness of different oyster aquaculture strategies. NERRS-Science Collaborative Grant Kick-off Meeting. February 20th, Falmouth, MA. 
  • Parker Dunn, Emily Gibeault, Kyle Paquette, Daniel Stone, Sarah Lott, Rebecca Cox, Janelle Shea, Rebecka Bence, Alec Cobban, Claudia Mazur, Virginia Edgcomb and Daniel Rogers. Investigating the impact of floating oyster aquacultures on carbon and nitrogen flux with the sediment for potential use in nitrogen removal. American Chemical Society National Meeting, March 19th, New Orleans, LA. Poster Presentation. 

2017

  • Daniel Rogers, Parker Dunn, Emily Gibeault, Kyle Paquette and Dan Stone. Light in a Dark World: Marine Bioluminescence. Tidal Quest Summer Science School. August 7th, Falmouth, MA (Invited and Student-led). Invited talk. 
  • Daniel Rogers, Virginia Edgcomb, Roy Martinsen, Christina Lovely, Tonna-Marie Rogers, Joan Muller, Anastasia Karplus. Evaluating effectiveness of different oyster aquaculture strategies for nitrogen loading remediation to inform end user decisions to restore water quality. NERRS Annual Meeting, November 8th, Providence, RI. Poster Presentation. 
  • Daniel Rogers, Amanda Pepe, Dan Stone, Janelle Shea, Kyle Paquette, Parker Dunn, Emily Gibeault, Josh Hubbell, Casey Crowe, Alec Cobban, Claudia Mazur, Becca Bence and Ginny Edgcomb. We’re gonna need a bigger boat. Stonehill College Biology Department seminar. September 22nd. Easton, MA. Invited talk. 
  • Daniel Rogers and Virginia Edgcomb. Understanding the impact of floating oyster aquaculture on the carbon and nitrogen flux to the sediments using natural abundance isotopic surveys and metagenomic approaches. Sea Grant site visit, June 28th, Woods Hole, MA. 

2016

  • Daniel Stone, Janelle Shea, Rebecka Bense, Virginia Edgcomb and Daniel Rogers. Cape Coastal Conference, December 6-7th, Hyannis MA. Poster Presentation. 
  • Rebecka Bense, Daniel Stone, Janelle Shea, Virginia Edgcomb and Daniel Rogers. Cape Coastal Conference, December 6-7th, Hyannis MA. Poster Presentation. 
  • Daniel Rogers. Is nitrogen removal a shell (or shellfish) game? Waquoit Bay Research Night at the Reserve. April 26th, Falmouth, MA.   Invited talk. 

2015

  • Daniel Rogers, Alec Cobban, Claudia Mazur, Amanda Pepe and Virginia Edgcomb. The impact of floating bag oyster aquaculture on bacterial metabolic gene expression and the rate of nitrogen removal in underlying sediments. Gordon Research Conference, Applied and Environmental Microbiology. July 12-17th Mt. Holyoke College. Poster Presentation.  

2014

  • Daniel Rogers, A. Bose, C. Vidouvez and P. Girguis. Ethane, Propane and Butane oxidation at a marine hydrocarbon seep: using isotopic and molecular techniques to decipher rates and pathways of microbial activity. Gordon Research Conference – Marine Microbes; Small Microbes Big Data. June 22-27th Bentley University, Waltham, MA: Poster Presentation. 2014 
  • Daniel Rogers, H.C. Olins, C. Vidoudez, C. Preston, W. Ussler III, D.M. Pargett, S. Jensen, B. Roman, C. Scholin, J. Birch, J. Huber, J. Meyer, P.R. Girguis. The distribution of active carbon-fixation pathways within the dissolved and particulate-fractions at and near a deep-sea, diffuse-flow, hydrothermal vent. American Society for Microbiology General Meeting (ASM). May 19th Boston, MA: Oral Presentation.  
  • Daniel R. Rogers, A. Bose, M.M. Adams, S.B. Joye, P.R. Girguis. Geomicrobiological linkages between short-chain alkane consumption and sulfate reduction rates in seep sediments. American Society for Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) Ocean Sciences Meeting. February 24th Honolulu, HI: Poster. 
  • Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometer (commercial value $150,000-$200,000 see www.BayInstruments.com for reference) for determination of 28,29,30N2, Ar, O2 dissolved gases (built with Dan Stone, Env. Science/Engineering). 
  • User interface software for data collection on MIMS (written in JAVA by Dan Stone, Environmental Engineering) 
  • Field-based flux chamber using an Oxy10-SMA (Presens, Denmark), sediment core-liners and inhouse designed core caps that allow for real-time O2 measurement, gentle stirring of overlying waters and timepoint based sampling of gas content of overlying water while maintaining isolation from the atmosphere (designed and built with Peter Giannini, Chemical Engineering). 
  • Anchored sediment traps designed and built to capture particulate matter falling to the sediments beneath aquaculture systems (built with Kyle Paquette, Chemistry). 
  • Suspended sediment traps designed to monitor particulate matter export from aquaculture systems in deeper waters (3-4 m water depth, built with Kyle Paquette, Chemistry). 
  • Pole corer designed using PVC, rubber couplings and a one-way check valve that allows for coring in water depth up to 2 m (built with Peter Giannini, Chemical Engineering) 
  • Dead-air box for shipboard RNA sampling (built with Adam Zeigler, Environmental Sciences). 

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