Parsons Lab Boat

Parsons Lab

Lab Lead

Mike Parsons, Ph.D.

Mike Parsons, Ph.D.

Florida Gulf Coast University
Research Project 1 Lead
mparsons@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.

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.
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)
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.
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
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
hpsims0980@eagle.fgcu.edu

Rachael Schinbeckler

MS Student
rlschinbeckler6150@eagle.fgcu.edu

Alex Donnenfeld

UG Student
adonnenfeld658@eagle.fgcu.edu

Mark Leone

UG Student
meleone1584@eagle.fgcu.edu

Technicians

Adam Catasus Portrait

Adam Catasus

Research Lab Technician
acatasus@fgcu.edu

Ashley Brandt

Ashley Brandt

Research Lab Technician and CEC Florida Liaison
abrandt@fgcu.edu