My research focuses on the ecology and conservation of marine mammals, using stable isotopes to study their feeding habits and distribution. My study site is in the Bohol Sea, Philippines where I investigate 5 cetacean species to enhance our understanding of their abundance, foraging ecology, and threats. The data generated will supplement existing species information towards an effective and sustainable management programs. Being part of the Fire Lab since 2015 provided me a new set of quantitative and analytical skills. I process marine mammal, fish and seabird samples for HAB toxins, coordinate daily activities in the lab, and train volunteers and researchers on biotoxin analysis.
I am a Junior at Florida Tech who got her start in the lab by articulating (assembling) a harbor seal skeleton. This year I am working closely with Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute to start a project involving dissection, extraction and cataloging of otoliths (ear bones used for hearing and balance) from Indian River Lagoon fish. These will be used to study the dietary trends of dolphins that prey on these fish species in the Lagoon. My career goal is to work in marine animal rescue and rehabilitation.
I am a Junior at Florida Tech who got her start in the lab by articulating (assembling) a harbor seal skeleton. This year I am working closely with Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute to start a project involving dissection, extraction and cataloging of otoliths (ear bones used for hearing and balance) from Indian River Lagoon fish. These will be used to study the dietary trends of dolphins that prey on these fish species in the Lagoon. May career goal is to continue on to veterinary school to work with exotic animals
I am the Fire Lab’s official mascot. I help my mom Makenzie with very important medical things. My goal this year is to work on my training and learn how to use doors and stairs effectively. I would like to learn more about marine mammals because those wave monsters are a bit intimidating. My career goal is to grow into my ears.
My research involves collecting and analyzing phytoplankton samples to from the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic coast to detect the presence of toxic species that cause harmful algal blooms. This vital information is then sent to NOAA to monitor algal blooms that can negatively impact local marine ecosystems, which enables us to observe trends among toxic species in our area and assist in the conservation of marine life.
I am a marine biology major with an interest in attending veterinary school to become a marine mammal research veterinarian. I am currently part of a team involved in extracting harmful algal toxins from marine mammal and fish tissue samples, and preparing those extracts for analysis using an antibody-based detection method. This project aims to understand the distribution of phytoplankton toxins of emerging concern in Florida's Indian River Lagoon.
I am currently a senior at Florida Tech who brings to the lab a passion for marine mammals and sea turtles. During summer of 2019 I interned at Mote Marine Laboratory where I was involved in sea turtle patrols, nighttime tagging efforts, and public outreach and education involving sea turtles and sea turtle conservation. I hope to continue on to graduate school to study marine mammal science.
I am currently a senior in marine biology at Florida Tech, and this will be my first semester of Undergrad research. I have previously worked for an environmental consulting firm on a project sorting and identifying fish eggs and larvae from samples along the Hudson River, NY. My current project in the Fire Lab involves investigating the effects of HAB toxins on the health of marine mammals and fish.
I led the lab's phytoplankton monitoring efforts as part of a collaboration with NOAA's National Phytoplankton Monitoring Network. This project regularly samples seawater from multiple locations in and around Florida's Indian River Lagoon as a way to track the presence and abundance of harmful algae species. This early warning system serves as an important resource to wildlife and resource managers locally as well as nationally.
Jeremy's research is an investigation of HAB toxin exposure in bottlenose dolphins inhabiting Florida's Indian River Lagoon (IRL) estuary system. The IRL is home to two toxin-producing HAB species that have been associated with marine mammal mass mortality events, but the impacts of these toxins on IRL dolphins are not well studied. This project seeks to establish baseline values for toxin accumulation in tissues of IRL dolphins during toxic blooms as well as during non-bloom conditions. Results from this work will aid resource managers by providing a point of reference with which to assess the severity of HAB events as a possible health stressor in IRL dolphins.
Erika's research project seeks to understand the effects of El Niño events on toxin-producing phytoplankton. The IRL harbors a species of phytoplankton named Pyrodinium, which only recently has been shown to have significant toxic impacts on the marine food web in this region. Her project will investigate potential changes in growth rate and toxicity of Pyrodinium under experimentally controlled conditions representing an El Niño event.
I received both my B.S. in Conservation Biology & Ecology (2017) and my M.S. in Conservation Technology (2018) from Florida Tech.
During my time at Florida Tech, I performed extractions of harmful algal toxins from marine mammal and fish tissue samples, as well as assisted in preparing and performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing on the extracts. Since graduation, I have been working as a scientific writer for a pharmaceutical contract research organization, volunteering at a local bird rehabilitation center, and finishing up my first peer-reviewed ecology research publication. I am currently considering switching back to an active ecological research position, as well as contemplating pursuing a Ph.D.
Krista's research project involves the development and improvement of a new phytoplankton monitoring program at FIT. This project incorporates weekly seawater sample collection from both IRL and Atlantic beach sites, and microscopic analysis of phytoplankton to detect toxin-producing HAB species. These long-term monitoring data serve two important purposes: 1) they are incorporated into a federally managed, nationwide dataset for HAB monitoring, and 2) provide IRL-specific trends on toxic species that are used to assess potential impacts on IRL marine wildlife, including marine mammals.
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