Expertise

In addition, my own research interests are in biologically active natural products produced by algae. This includes toxins produced by dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) as well as allelopathic compounds and siderophores.

I am a biochemist by training with broad interests in the chemistry and ecology of biologically-active natural products produced by plants, algae and bacteria. This includes algal toxins as well as small peptides called siderophores important in metal homeostasis. Special interests include the biochemistry of iron in forest and aquatic (marine and freshwater) ecosystems, the chemistry / ecology of marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms, brown tides, and rapid detection methods for toxic cyanobacteria and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins. A major theme in my research is to understand the roles these compounds play in determining the interactions among aquatic organisms.

Research Interests

  1. Chemistry, Biochemistry and Ecology of Blue Green (Cyanobacterial) Algal toxins
  2. Iron, siderophores and heavy metals in forested ecosystems
  3. BioChemistry and Production of Algal Based BioFuels

Research: Biochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, plant and algal biochemistry, chemical ecology and toxins produced by algae. Environmental Monitoring, including Buoy and ship-based monitoring systems for water quality.

Links

Organizational Affiliations

Department of Chemistry, Academic Departments and Divisions, College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Great Lakes Research Consortium, Research Centers and Programs, College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Education

Biochemistry
1980, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Biochemistry
1975, AB, University of California, Berkeley