Parsons Lab Boat

Parsons Lab

Lab Lead

Mike Parsons, Ph.D.

Mike Parsons, Ph.D.

Florida Gulf Coast University
Research Project 1 Lead
[email protected]

Parsons serves as Director of the Greater Caribbean Center for Ciguatera Research and oversees the Florida-based research and modeling efforts in RP1. Parsons has over 25 years of experience in the study of harmful algal blooms, with over 30 papers published in the field. He has received over $20 million in competitive external funding for research, and has served as PI on several other projects, including a NOAA Regional ECOHAB studying ciguatera (CiguaHAB). Parsons served two terms on the National Harmful Algal Bloom Committee and was appointed by Florida Governor DeSantis to serve on the state’s Blue Green Algal Task Force in May 2019.

More info (fgcu.edu)

Parsons serves as Director of the Greater Caribbean Center for Ciguatera Research and oversees the Florida-based research and modeling efforts in RP1. Parsons has over 25 years of experience in the study of harmful algal blooms, with over 30 papers published in the field. He has received over $20 million in competitive external funding for research, and has served as PI on several other projects, including a NOAA Regional ECOHAB studying ciguatera (CiguaHAB). Parsons served two terms on the National Harmful Algal Bloom Committee and was appointed by Florida Governor DeSantis to serve on the state’s Blue Green Algal Task Force in May 2019.

Learn more (fgcu.org)

Photos

Parsons Lab Boat on the way to Tennessee Lighthouse Site — Parsons Lab Boat on the way to Tennessee Lighthouse Reef (TLR) Site in Florida Keys

Starting Dive from Boat at Tennessee Lighthouse Reef Site — In the water and ready to dive at the TLR site Beach

Diving at Tennessee Reef Lighthouse (TRL) site.

School of Grunt Snappers at TRL. — School of grunt snappers at Tennessee Reef Lighthouse.

Two types of algae we frequently sample for Gambierdiscus cells at each site in the Keys — Dictyotaspp. and Halimeda spp.: Two types of algae we frequently sample for Gambierdiscus cells at each site in the Keys

Documenting Community Coverage — Taking photos with underwater camera along 3 transect lines in order to get spatial (percent) coverage of the community (algae, coral, sponge, etc) at TRL.

Sampling for fish using Hawaiian sling (Porkfish)

Edison Tile Deployment — Edison tile deployment – Adam Catasus and Alex Donnenfeld at Edison Reef off Fort Myers Beach

Processing samples after collection in the Florida Keys.

Macroalgae collection in the Florida Keys — Adam Catasus grabbing macroalgae samples from a student after collection in the Florida Keys.

Mike, Ashley, Lacey in the field

Samples of Different Macrophytes — Macrophyte samples collected in the Keys. From L to R: Penicillus spp., Dictyota spp., Thalassia testudinum, Laurencia spp., Halimeda spp.

Diving and Sampling Gear — Diving and sampling gear drying in the Keys after a field day

Graduate students

Hannah Sims

MS Student
[email protected]

Rachael Schinbeckler

MS Student
[email protected]

Alex Donnenfeld

UG Student
[email protected]

Mark Leone

UG Student
[email protected]

Technicians

Adam Catasus Portrait

Adam Catasus

Research Lab Technician
[email protected]

Ashley Brandt

Ashley Brandt

Research Lab Technician and CEC Florida Liaison
[email protected]