Our Research Begins Here

If you've ever drank a glass of water , enjoyed a day at the beach, or hauled in a trophy fish (or a tiny bluegill!), you've relied on an aquatic ecosystem to "deliver the goods".

Our research focuses broadly on observing water quality and understanding what drives its variability.

From Cells to Ecosystems

Our research starts with molecules and microorganisms that build the foundation of aquatic food webs, and scales this understanding to entire aquatic ecosystems observed by satellite. Our key focus areas include dissolved organic matter —think coffee or tea—and phytoplankton, the little green guys that produce half the oxygen you breathe, support world-class fisheries like Lake Erie's walleye, and sometimes are so happy they form harmful blooms that can be toxic.

Our research seeks to understand the 'why' of all these events through field sampling, lab analysis and experiments, and working with large, complex datasets that include satellite observations. We perform this work primarily at the terrestrial-aquatic interface, or where land meets coast, with a specialty in understanding the Great Lakes.

Our Mission

Lead Research Team

Seeing the Science of Water

  • Assistant Professor 

    My research interests started with the Great Lakes and colored dissolved organic matter, and now include remote sensing of water quality in inland and coastal systems, observing the underlying functioning of aquatic ecosystems using satellite datasets, and improving our understanding of the connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. I love being out on the water, whether we’re collecting data on a 24- or 240-foot research vessel, and translating this to fundamental advances in our understanding of Earth from satellite observations. When I’m not thinking about photons, pigments, or PACE, I enjoy running, backpacking, swimming, gardening, and inviting local wildlife into our family’s yard with native plants. I love sampling different coffees, and the ideal morning is sipping a new brew with Erika and the boys, with a bit of morning sunshine creeping through the trees.  

     

  • Research Associate

    To characterize optical variability in the ecosystems we focus on, Brice’s team collects a lot of data both in the field and the lab. As a Research Associate, it’s my job to enable the research projects in the lab by making sure data is organized and accessible by both our team and our collaborators. I am responsible for creating and maintaining our lab’s database that holds all our data, and support troubleshooting all aspects of our research based on extensive experience in the lab and field. My own research has focused on how to separate the total absorption signal into its parts – phytoplankton, colored dissolved organic matter and sediment/non-living particles, and advance our ability to observe phytoplankton communities from in situ and satellite observations. In my personal time, I spend a lot of time with my young child: worm hunting in the rain, finding hermit crabs on the beach and looking for frogs and turtles on our hikes around the pond. Teaching him to appreciate nature and the importance of all our ecosystems is a joy. I love playing and designing board games, reading, playing the piano and hunting for seashells on the beach. 

  • Research Technician 

    Originally from Cincinnati, I joined the Carbon & Optics Lab in April 2024 after graduating with an MS in Oceanography from Oregon State University. With a background in physics and an interest in interdisciplinary science, my research focused on the coupling of atmospheric processes and ocean biophysical response along the U.S. west coast using satellite and model datasets. As a research technician in the CH2O lab, I support students with coding challenges and lead lab/field activities. In my free time, you can find me searching for the best local chai latte, thrifting a fun shirt, fixating on my craft-of-the-week, or going for a hike. I also enjoy spending time with my family and pets by relaxing at home and playing games.