Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.
Elisabeth LaBarbera
Elisabeth LaBarbera - Physical Scientist - California Water Science Center
Elisabeth LaBarbera (she/her) joined the USGS California Water Science Center team as a hydrologic technician in 2020. Elisabeth earned a BS and MS in Chemistry from California State University, Sacramento. In her university research, Elisabeth developed methods to quantify contaminants of emerging concern, such as artificial sweeteners and pharmaceutical products, in surface and ground water using gas chromatography flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). At the California Water Science Center, Elisabeth first worked in the trace metal lab where she processed and prepared water samples for trace metal analysis. Elisabeth now works as a Physical Scientist in the Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL). In the OCRL, Elisabeth extracts pesticides and pesticides degradates from water, sediment, soil, insects, and animal tissue.
Science and Products
Pesticide Fate Research Group (PFRG)
Pesticides are used in both agricultural and urban settings to manage unwanted plants, insects, fungi, and other pests. However, these substances and their breakdown products can move beyond their intended application sites through various means, ending up in areas where they weren't meant to be. This movement can happen via the air, through water (both surface and groundwater), and by sticking to...
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.
Science and Products
Pesticide Fate Research Group (PFRG)
Pesticides are used in both agricultural and urban settings to manage unwanted plants, insects, fungi, and other pests. However, these substances and their breakdown products can move beyond their intended application sites through various means, ending up in areas where they weren't meant to be. This movement can happen via the air, through water (both surface and groundwater), and by sticking to...
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.