Buma's research focuses on (marine) microalgal ecophysiology and diversity in response to
climate change. Specific research topics include impacts of trace metals, enhanced UVR and changing meltwater dynamics on growth and diversity of marine Antarctic phytoplankton. Since 1992, Buma devoted her work to the possible adverse impacts of enhanced
UV-B radiation on Antarctic phytoplankton, as a result of
stratospheric ozone depletion. As a result of this work she obtained a
Meervoud Grant in 2002 by the
Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research. This research was focused on
Effects of trace nutrients on the defense potential of oceanic phytoplankton against solar ultraviolet radiation. since January 2012. She was a member of the Netherlands Polar Committee from September 2010 – August 2014 and member of the Dutch SCAR committee between 2005 and 2010. She also served in the Scientific Advisory Board of the trilateral (Argentinean, German, Dutch) Research station
Dallmann Research Station,
King George Island, between 2006 and 2011, and in the Scientific Steering Committee Dutch Antarctic
Rothera Station research facilities between 2011 and 2013. Buma was the Chief Editor of the Dutch popular science book “Door de kou bevangen” (2016), about fifty years of history of Dutch polar research. == Selected works ==