Alisha Ellis
Alisha Ellis is a Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS) with the Energy and Minerals Mission Area (EMMA) at the National Center in Reston, Virginia with 10+ years of field, laboratory, and research experience with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
As a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS) for the Energy and Minerals Mission Area (EMMA) Quality Management System (QMS), Alisha aids in effective and efficient implementation and operation of the EMMA QMS by tracking, documenting, and approving standard operating procedures (SOPs) and participating in internal audit and coordination activities. Previously as a coastal geologist, Alisha worked on analyzing short-term and long-term coastal environmental change using sedimentological, micropaleontological, and radiochemical data.
Professional Experience
2024-Present: Physical Scientist, Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Energy and Minerals Mission Area (EMMA), Reston, Virginia
2014-2024: Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC), St. Petersburg, FL
2013-2014: Researcher, Cherokee Nation Technology Solutions (CNTS) contracted to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC), St. Petersburg, FL
Education and Certifications
M.S. Geology, East Carolina University
B.S. Geology, East Carolina University
Affiliations and Memberships*
Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG), Florida Chapter- Member (2016-2023)
Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG), Florida Chapter- Secretary (2019-2020)
Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG), Florida Chapter- President (2020-2022)
The Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research- Member (2011–present)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Sediment and Radiochemical Characteristics from Shore-Perpendicular Estuarine and Marsh Transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi Sediment and Radiochemical Characteristics from Shore-Perpendicular Estuarine and Marsh Transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi
To examine sediment transport and provenance between a marsh and estuary, surface sediments were collected along two transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi (GNDNERR). Each shore-perpendicular transect consisted of fifteen surface samples, collected every 2.5 meters (m) from 10-m out into the estuary to 25-m into the marsh from the shoreline. Sediment...
Surficial and Downcore Sedimentological and Foraminiferal Microfossil Data From St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Florida Surficial and Downcore Sedimentological and Foraminiferal Microfossil Data From St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
In October 2019, five marsh push cores (core names appended with M for marsh push core) and 18 surface sediment samples (top 1 cm of sediment) were collected from the estuary (sample name appended G for PONAR grab) near the mouth of the St. Marks River and some of the surrounding marshes (sample name appended with S for surface) along with elevation transects and peat augers (sample name...
Sediment Core Microfossil Data Collected from the Coastal Marsh of Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, USA Sediment Core Microfossil Data Collected from the Coastal Marsh of Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, USA
To aid in geologic studies of sediment transport and environmental change of a coastal marsh, 1-centimeter (cm) foraminiferal subsamples were taken from seven sediment push cores collected in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GNDNERR), Mississippi (MS), in October 2016. The push cores were collected along two, shore-perpendicular transects at 5, 15, 25, and 50 meters (m)...
Sedimentologic Data from Point aux Chenes Marsh and Estuary, Mississippi Sedimentologic Data from Point aux Chenes Marsh and Estuary, Mississippi
Sediment samples, including marsh and estuarine surface samples and marsh push and peat-auger cores, were collected from Point aux Chenes, Mississippi from October 23–26, 2018, and August 4, 2021. Marsh surface samples (top 1 centimeter (cm) of sediment; sample names appended with S), marsh push cores (core names appended with M) and peat-auger cores (core names appended with R) were...
Sediment Radiochemical Data from Georgia, Massachusetts and Virginia Coastal Marshes Sediment Radiochemical Data from Georgia, Massachusetts and Virginia Coastal Marshes
This data release is an archive of sedimentary laboratory analytical data produced by scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (USGS SPCMSC) for sediment cores and surface samples collected from coastal marshes in Georgia (GA), Virginia (VA), and Massachusetts (MA). Collaborators from USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) and the...
Benthic Foraminiferal Data from Surface Samples and Sedimentary Cores in the Grand Bay Estuary, Mississippi and Alabama Benthic Foraminiferal Data from Surface Samples and Sedimentary Cores in the Grand Bay Estuary, Mississippi and Alabama
Microfossil (benthic foraminifera) samples were obtained from surficial grab (denoted with 'G') and push core (denoted with 'M') sediments collected in Grand Bay estuary, Mississippi and Alabama, to aid in the paleoenvironmental understanding of Grand Bay estuary. The data presented here were collected as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's Sea-level and Storm Impacts on Estuarine...
Filter Total Items: 14
The sedimentological characteristics and geochronology of the marshes of Dauphin Island, Alabama The sedimentological characteristics and geochronology of the marshes of Dauphin Island, Alabama
In August 2015, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center collected 11 push cores from the marshes of Dauphin Island and Little Dauphin Island, Alabama. Sample site environments included high marshes, low salt marshes, and salt flats, and varied in distance from the shoreline. The sampling efforts were part of a larger study to assess...
Authors
Alisha M. Ellis, Christopher G. Smith, Marci E. Marot
A seasonal and spatial comparison of metals, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, in Chincoteague Bay and the marsh deposits of Assateague Island and the adjacent vicinity, Maryland and Virginia A seasonal and spatial comparison of metals, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, in Chincoteague Bay and the marsh deposits of Assateague Island and the adjacent vicinity, Maryland and Virginia
After Hurricane Sandy, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted a seasonal collection of estuarine, marsh, and sandy overwash surface sediments from Chincoteague Bay, Tom’s Cove, and the surrounding Assateague Island and Delmarva Peninsula in March–April and October 2014. Surplus surface sediment was analyzed for metals...
Authors
Alisha M. Ellis, Christopher G. Smith
Distribution of foraminifera in Chincoteague Bay and the marshes of Assateague Island and the adjacent vicinity, Maryland and Virginia Distribution of foraminifera in Chincoteague Bay and the marshes of Assateague Island and the adjacent vicinity, Maryland and Virginia
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted a seasonal collection of estuarine, marsh, and sandy washover surface sediments from Chincoteague Bay, Tom’s Cove, and the surrounding Assateague Island and Delmarva Peninsula in March–April and October 2014, after Hurricane Sandy. Micropaleontology samples were collected as part...
Authors
Alisha M. Ellis, Jaimie Shaw, Lisa E. Osterman, Christopher G. Smith
The physical characteristics of the sediments on and surrounding Dauphin Island, Alabama The physical characteristics of the sediments on and surrounding Dauphin Island, Alabama
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center collected 303 surface sediment samples from Dauphin Island, Alabama, and the surrounding water bodies in August 2015. These sediments were processed to determine physical characteristics such as organic content, bulk density, and grain-size. The environments where the sediments were collected...
Authors
Alisha M. Ellis, Marci E. Marot, Christopher G. Smith, Cathryn J. Wheaton
Evaluating the potential effects of hurricanes on long-term sediment accumulation in two micro-tidal sub-estuaries: Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, U.S.A. Evaluating the potential effects of hurricanes on long-term sediment accumulation in two micro-tidal sub-estuaries: Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Barnegat Bay, located along the eastern shore of New Jersey, was significantly impacted by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed a multidisciplinary study of sediment transport and hydrodynamics to understand the mechanisms that govern estuarine and wetland responses to storm forcing. This report details the physical and chemical
Authors
Marci E. Marot, Christopher G. Smith, Alisha M. Ellis, Cathryn J. Wheaton
Sedimentologic characteristics of recent washover deposits from Assateague Island, Maryland Sedimentologic characteristics of recent washover deposits from Assateague Island, Maryland
The U.S. Geological Survey has a long history of responding to and documenting the impacts of storms along the Nation’s coasts and incorporating these data into storm impact and coastal change vulnerability assessments. Although physical changes caused by tropical and extratropical storms to the sandy beaches and dunes fronting barrier islands are generally well documented, the...
Authors
Julie Bernier, Nicholas J. Zaremba, Cathryn J. Wheaton, Alisha M. Ellis, Marci E. Marot, Christopher G. Smith
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Sediment and Radiochemical Characteristics from Shore-Perpendicular Estuarine and Marsh Transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi Sediment and Radiochemical Characteristics from Shore-Perpendicular Estuarine and Marsh Transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi
To examine sediment transport and provenance between a marsh and estuary, surface sediments were collected along two transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi (GNDNERR). Each shore-perpendicular transect consisted of fifteen surface samples, collected every 2.5 meters (m) from 10-m out into the estuary to 25-m into the marsh from the shoreline. Sediment...
Surficial and Downcore Sedimentological and Foraminiferal Microfossil Data From St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Florida Surficial and Downcore Sedimentological and Foraminiferal Microfossil Data From St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
In October 2019, five marsh push cores (core names appended with M for marsh push core) and 18 surface sediment samples (top 1 cm of sediment) were collected from the estuary (sample name appended G for PONAR grab) near the mouth of the St. Marks River and some of the surrounding marshes (sample name appended with S for surface) along with elevation transects and peat augers (sample name...
Sediment Core Microfossil Data Collected from the Coastal Marsh of Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, USA Sediment Core Microfossil Data Collected from the Coastal Marsh of Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, USA
To aid in geologic studies of sediment transport and environmental change of a coastal marsh, 1-centimeter (cm) foraminiferal subsamples were taken from seven sediment push cores collected in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GNDNERR), Mississippi (MS), in October 2016. The push cores were collected along two, shore-perpendicular transects at 5, 15, 25, and 50 meters (m)...
Sedimentologic Data from Point aux Chenes Marsh and Estuary, Mississippi Sedimentologic Data from Point aux Chenes Marsh and Estuary, Mississippi
Sediment samples, including marsh and estuarine surface samples and marsh push and peat-auger cores, were collected from Point aux Chenes, Mississippi from October 23–26, 2018, and August 4, 2021. Marsh surface samples (top 1 centimeter (cm) of sediment; sample names appended with S), marsh push cores (core names appended with M) and peat-auger cores (core names appended with R) were...
Sediment Radiochemical Data from Georgia, Massachusetts and Virginia Coastal Marshes Sediment Radiochemical Data from Georgia, Massachusetts and Virginia Coastal Marshes
This data release is an archive of sedimentary laboratory analytical data produced by scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (USGS SPCMSC) for sediment cores and surface samples collected from coastal marshes in Georgia (GA), Virginia (VA), and Massachusetts (MA). Collaborators from USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) and the...
Benthic Foraminiferal Data from Surface Samples and Sedimentary Cores in the Grand Bay Estuary, Mississippi and Alabama Benthic Foraminiferal Data from Surface Samples and Sedimentary Cores in the Grand Bay Estuary, Mississippi and Alabama
Microfossil (benthic foraminifera) samples were obtained from surficial grab (denoted with 'G') and push core (denoted with 'M') sediments collected in Grand Bay estuary, Mississippi and Alabama, to aid in the paleoenvironmental understanding of Grand Bay estuary. The data presented here were collected as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's Sea-level and Storm Impacts on Estuarine...
Filter Total Items: 14
The sedimentological characteristics and geochronology of the marshes of Dauphin Island, Alabama The sedimentological characteristics and geochronology of the marshes of Dauphin Island, Alabama
In August 2015, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center collected 11 push cores from the marshes of Dauphin Island and Little Dauphin Island, Alabama. Sample site environments included high marshes, low salt marshes, and salt flats, and varied in distance from the shoreline. The sampling efforts were part of a larger study to assess...
Authors
Alisha M. Ellis, Christopher G. Smith, Marci E. Marot
A seasonal and spatial comparison of metals, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, in Chincoteague Bay and the marsh deposits of Assateague Island and the adjacent vicinity, Maryland and Virginia A seasonal and spatial comparison of metals, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, in Chincoteague Bay and the marsh deposits of Assateague Island and the adjacent vicinity, Maryland and Virginia
After Hurricane Sandy, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted a seasonal collection of estuarine, marsh, and sandy overwash surface sediments from Chincoteague Bay, Tom’s Cove, and the surrounding Assateague Island and Delmarva Peninsula in March–April and October 2014. Surplus surface sediment was analyzed for metals...
Authors
Alisha M. Ellis, Christopher G. Smith
Distribution of foraminifera in Chincoteague Bay and the marshes of Assateague Island and the adjacent vicinity, Maryland and Virginia Distribution of foraminifera in Chincoteague Bay and the marshes of Assateague Island and the adjacent vicinity, Maryland and Virginia
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted a seasonal collection of estuarine, marsh, and sandy washover surface sediments from Chincoteague Bay, Tom’s Cove, and the surrounding Assateague Island and Delmarva Peninsula in March–April and October 2014, after Hurricane Sandy. Micropaleontology samples were collected as part...
Authors
Alisha M. Ellis, Jaimie Shaw, Lisa E. Osterman, Christopher G. Smith
The physical characteristics of the sediments on and surrounding Dauphin Island, Alabama The physical characteristics of the sediments on and surrounding Dauphin Island, Alabama
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center collected 303 surface sediment samples from Dauphin Island, Alabama, and the surrounding water bodies in August 2015. These sediments were processed to determine physical characteristics such as organic content, bulk density, and grain-size. The environments where the sediments were collected...
Authors
Alisha M. Ellis, Marci E. Marot, Christopher G. Smith, Cathryn J. Wheaton
Evaluating the potential effects of hurricanes on long-term sediment accumulation in two micro-tidal sub-estuaries: Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, U.S.A. Evaluating the potential effects of hurricanes on long-term sediment accumulation in two micro-tidal sub-estuaries: Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Barnegat Bay, located along the eastern shore of New Jersey, was significantly impacted by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed a multidisciplinary study of sediment transport and hydrodynamics to understand the mechanisms that govern estuarine and wetland responses to storm forcing. This report details the physical and chemical
Authors
Marci E. Marot, Christopher G. Smith, Alisha M. Ellis, Cathryn J. Wheaton
Sedimentologic characteristics of recent washover deposits from Assateague Island, Maryland Sedimentologic characteristics of recent washover deposits from Assateague Island, Maryland
The U.S. Geological Survey has a long history of responding to and documenting the impacts of storms along the Nation’s coasts and incorporating these data into storm impact and coastal change vulnerability assessments. Although physical changes caused by tropical and extratropical storms to the sandy beaches and dunes fronting barrier islands are generally well documented, the...
Authors
Julie Bernier, Nicholas J. Zaremba, Cathryn J. Wheaton, Alisha M. Ellis, Marci E. Marot, Christopher G. Smith
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government