Research Interests

My research centers on water quality and how that affects microalgal communities (phytoplankton, periphyton, epiphytes, etc.). Within this context and beyond, I study photosynthetic and accessory pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids, scytonemins, phycobilins). Pigment-based chemotaxonomy, the use of taxon-specific biomarkers to discern community structure and dynamics, is the main thrust of my research as well. Lately, I have been very involved in studying phosphorus pollution of south Florida waters from the overuse of equestrian waste in agri-businesses. Global climate change, especially rising carbon dioxide levels, is also studied as it impacts microalgal communities in both marine (“ocean acidification”) and freshwaters.

Research Interests(pdf.)

Laboratory Tour (pdf.)

Curriculum Vita (pdf.)

Recent Publications (pdf.)

Awards and Recognition

Fulbright Specialist Program. Scientific Visit to the Institute of Oceanology, Polish

Academy of Sciences, Sopot, Poland. June 4-19, 2011. United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Council for International Exchange of Scholars.

Other Information

Professional Societies

• Member         - American Chemical Society
• Member            - Division of Geochemistry, American Chemical Society
• Member-elect  - Phi Eta Tau Scholastic Society (Wright State University), Ohio
• Member            - European Association of Organic Geochemists
• Member-elect   - American Institute of Chemists
• Member           - Florida Academy of Sciences
• Chair (2000-2001)- Environmental and Chemical Sciences Section
• Member           - American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
• Member           - Estuarine Research Federation
• Member           - Coastal Education and Research Foundation

Community outreach

Each year I represent the University and specifically the College of Science and the Environmental Sciences Program at the Lake Worth Lagoon Fest. This event is a community-wide outreach event which highlights the environment of Lake Worth Lagoon, its opportunities (fishing, boating, nature studies etc.) and its rejuvenation.

In 2016 south Florida experienced several cyanobacterial (aka “algal”) blooms and I provided information to the public through numerous media interviews (CBS,NBC, National Public Radio, Channel 5 (WPTV),WPTC-FaceTime, Palm Beach Post and others.