Meet 2022 NOAA Hollings Scholar – Anna Finch
Anna Finch's project focused on the investigation of phytoplankton dynamics in the Florida Keys. She also had the opportunity to participate on research cruises to get a behind the scenes view of ocean observing. Mentors for this internship are Dr. Frank Muller-Karger (USF CMS), Dr. Digna Rueda-Roa (USF CMS), and Gabrielle Canonico (US IOOS).
Through the NOAA Hollings Scholar program – US Integrated Ocean Observing System, SECOORA and University of South Florida College of Marine Science (USF CMS) hosted Anna Finch (University of Washington) in summer 2022. Anna’s project focused on the investigation of phytoplankton dynamics in the Florida Keys. She also had the opportunity to participate on research cruises to get a behind the scenes view of ocean observing – especially buoys.
Mentors for this internship are Dr. Frank Muller-Karger (USF CMS), Dr. Digna Rueda-Roa (USF CMS), and Gabrielle Canonico (US IOOS).
Anna’s project analyzed the fluctuation in distribution and abundance of various phytoplankton functional types across seasons in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Utilizing pigment data alongside the CHEMTAX program, the study estimates the proportions and abundances of each functional type. Furthermore, the research investigates the degree to which environmental factors like nutrients and temperature explain this variation.
By understanding how phytoplankton communities in the Florida Keys respond to environmental changes, the project seeks insights into their potential reactions to climate change.
Anna presented her research during the AGU Fall Meeting in December 2022. You can see her pictured above with her poster titled “Seasonal Pigment-Based Characterization of Phytoplankton Functional Types in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: 2016 to 2021”. Click here to read the abstract.
Related news
GCOOS - SECOORA Joint Webinar Series: Building Synergy Across the US MBON & Ocean Acidification Networks
The GCOOS - SECOORA Webinar Series aims to strengthen collaborations across the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) and regional Ocean Acidification Networks (GCAN and SOCAN).
New High Frequency Radar at the Dry Tortugas National Park Improves Ocean Surface Current Measurements Across the Straits of Florida
A new CODAR Low-Power SeaSonde HFR has been deployed by the University of South Florida at Fort Jefferson on Garden Key to measure surface currents to improve understanding and prediction of the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current.
President Biden Proposes Significant Budget Cuts to IOOS for 2025
President Biden’s recent 2025 budget proposal slashed the funding allocated for the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) by 76%, which would effectively shut down coastal and ocean observing efforts.