USGS lab personnel (GLSC; Chesterton, Indiana) holding benthic sample processing trays; each team member works on a different part of the process. Photo credit: Kasia Przybyla-Kelly, USGS.
Katarzyna (Kasia) Przybyla-Kelly
Katarzyna Przybyla-Kelly is an Ecologist based in Chesterton, IN.
Kasia Przybyla-Kelly is an ecologist with the USGS, Great Lakes Science Center, and she is a part of the Restoration and Conservation Science branch. She has been working in the Great Lakes region studying various aspects of water quality and environmental threats to the Great Lakes ecosystems for the last 17 years. Her current research encompasses: Cladophora-Dreissenid-round goby interactions in the Great Lakes in connection with phosphorus inputs, eutrophication effects in tributaries, native and non-native aquatic species detection via environmental DNA (eDNA). For the last few years, she has been focusing on eDNA detection and quantification of aquatic invasive round goby and rusty crayfish, and eDNA monitoring of native Unionid mussels throughout the restoration efforts in Indiana Dunes National Park. She is a member of the USGS science dive team conducting underwater research in the Great Lakes.
Professional Experience
Ecologist, 2005 – present, USGS, Great Lakes Science Center, Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station, Chesterton, Indiana
Education and Certifications
M.S., Environmental Science: 2001, Jagiellonian University, Department of Hydrobiology, Kraków, Poland
B.S., Environmental Science: 1999, Jagiellonian University, Department of Hydrobiology, Kraków, Poland
Science and Products
Data releases by this scientist
Algal associated Benthic macroinvertebrate data collected in the Great Lakes, 2024 Algal associated Benthic macroinvertebrate data collected in the Great Lakes, 2024
Cisco Coregonus artedi detection by environmental DNA during spawning runs in Lake Huron tributaries (2022-2024) Cisco Coregonus artedi detection by environmental DNA during spawning runs in Lake Huron tributaries (2022-2024)
Environmental DNA (eDNA) fish and microbial community analyses in water samples collected by long range autonomous underwater vehicle in southern Lake Michigan (2021) Environmental DNA (eDNA) fish and microbial community analyses in water samples collected by long range autonomous underwater vehicle in southern Lake Michigan (2021)
Cladophora biomass and supporting data collected in the Great Lakes, 2024 (ver. 2.0, February 2026) Cladophora biomass and supporting data collected in the Great Lakes, 2024 (ver. 2.0, February 2026)
Potential for microbially mediated nitrogen transformations in benthic algae, sediment, and overlying water in the Great Lakes, 2022 Potential for microbially mediated nitrogen transformations in benthic algae, sediment, and overlying water in the Great Lakes, 2022
Benthic Algal Community Composition in the Laurentian Great Lakes (2024) Benthic Algal Community Composition in the Laurentian Great Lakes (2024)
Multimedia related to this scientist
USGS lab personnel (GLSC; Chesterton, Indiana) holding benthic sample processing trays; each team member works on a different part of the process. Photo credit: Kasia Przybyla-Kelly, USGS.
Collecting eDNA samples in the Little Calumet River
Collecting eDNA samples in the Little Calumet RiverSearching for native, unionid mussels, USGS researchers collect eDNA samples in the Little Calumet River within Indiana Dunes National Park as a part of unionid mussels restoration project. Photo Credit: Kasia Przybyla-Kelly.
Collecting eDNA samples in the Little Calumet River
Collecting eDNA samples in the Little Calumet RiverSearching for native, unionid mussels, USGS researchers collect eDNA samples in the Little Calumet River within Indiana Dunes National Park as a part of unionid mussels restoration project. Photo Credit: Kasia Przybyla-Kelly.
Counting and Measuring Invasive Dreissenid Mussels
Counting and Measuring Invasive Dreissenid MusselsUSGS contractor Victoria Conn counting and measuring invasive dreissenid mussels in a laboratory at the GLSC Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station (Chesterton, Indiana) as part of the Great Lakes Integrated Cladophora Assessment Project.
Counting and Measuring Invasive Dreissenid Mussels
Counting and Measuring Invasive Dreissenid MusselsUSGS contractor Victoria Conn counting and measuring invasive dreissenid mussels in a laboratory at the GLSC Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station (Chesterton, Indiana) as part of the Great Lakes Integrated Cladophora Assessment Project.
Kasia Przybyla-Kelly, ecologist at the Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station collecting samples for eDNA sequencing in the search for Round Goby in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, MI. Photo Credit: USGS.
Kasia Przybyla-Kelly, ecologist at the Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station collecting samples for eDNA sequencing in the search for Round Goby in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, MI. Photo Credit: USGS.
USGS dive team members Marc Blouin and Glen Black carrying an ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) into Lake Michigan to measure currents throughout the summer season in order to improve predictive modeling at recreational beaches and better predict E. coli concentrations in the water, therefore improve safety of swimmers.
USGS dive team members Marc Blouin and Glen Black carrying an ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) into Lake Michigan to measure currents throughout the summer season in order to improve predictive modeling at recreational beaches and better predict E. coli concentrations in the water, therefore improve safety of swimmers.
Publications by this scientist
Round goby detection in Lakes Huron and Michigan— An evaluation of eDNA and fish catches Round goby detection in Lakes Huron and Michigan— An evaluation of eDNA and fish catches
Influence of sediment and stream transport on detecting a source of environmental DNA Influence of sediment and stream transport on detecting a source of environmental DNA
Great Lakes Cladophora harbors phylogenetically diverse nitrogen-fixing microorganims Great Lakes Cladophora harbors phylogenetically diverse nitrogen-fixing microorganims
Environmental DNA (eDNA): A tool for quantifying the abundant but elusive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) Environmental DNA (eDNA): A tool for quantifying the abundant but elusive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)
Freshwater wrack along Great Lakes coasts harbors Escherichia coli: Potential for bacterial transfer between watershed environments Freshwater wrack along Great Lakes coasts harbors Escherichia coli: Potential for bacterial transfer between watershed environments
Prototypic automated continuous recreational water quality monitoring of nine Chicago beaches Prototypic automated continuous recreational water quality monitoring of nine Chicago beaches
New about this scientist
Science and Products
Data releases by this scientist
Algal associated Benthic macroinvertebrate data collected in the Great Lakes, 2024 Algal associated Benthic macroinvertebrate data collected in the Great Lakes, 2024
Cisco Coregonus artedi detection by environmental DNA during spawning runs in Lake Huron tributaries (2022-2024) Cisco Coregonus artedi detection by environmental DNA during spawning runs in Lake Huron tributaries (2022-2024)
Environmental DNA (eDNA) fish and microbial community analyses in water samples collected by long range autonomous underwater vehicle in southern Lake Michigan (2021) Environmental DNA (eDNA) fish and microbial community analyses in water samples collected by long range autonomous underwater vehicle in southern Lake Michigan (2021)
Cladophora biomass and supporting data collected in the Great Lakes, 2024 (ver. 2.0, February 2026) Cladophora biomass and supporting data collected in the Great Lakes, 2024 (ver. 2.0, February 2026)
Potential for microbially mediated nitrogen transformations in benthic algae, sediment, and overlying water in the Great Lakes, 2022 Potential for microbially mediated nitrogen transformations in benthic algae, sediment, and overlying water in the Great Lakes, 2022
Benthic Algal Community Composition in the Laurentian Great Lakes (2024) Benthic Algal Community Composition in the Laurentian Great Lakes (2024)
Multimedia related to this scientist
USGS lab personnel (GLSC; Chesterton, Indiana) holding benthic sample processing trays; each team member works on a different part of the process. Photo credit: Kasia Przybyla-Kelly, USGS.
USGS lab personnel (GLSC; Chesterton, Indiana) holding benthic sample processing trays; each team member works on a different part of the process. Photo credit: Kasia Przybyla-Kelly, USGS.
Collecting eDNA samples in the Little Calumet River
Collecting eDNA samples in the Little Calumet RiverSearching for native, unionid mussels, USGS researchers collect eDNA samples in the Little Calumet River within Indiana Dunes National Park as a part of unionid mussels restoration project. Photo Credit: Kasia Przybyla-Kelly.
Collecting eDNA samples in the Little Calumet River
Collecting eDNA samples in the Little Calumet RiverSearching for native, unionid mussels, USGS researchers collect eDNA samples in the Little Calumet River within Indiana Dunes National Park as a part of unionid mussels restoration project. Photo Credit: Kasia Przybyla-Kelly.
Counting and Measuring Invasive Dreissenid Mussels
Counting and Measuring Invasive Dreissenid MusselsUSGS contractor Victoria Conn counting and measuring invasive dreissenid mussels in a laboratory at the GLSC Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station (Chesterton, Indiana) as part of the Great Lakes Integrated Cladophora Assessment Project.
Counting and Measuring Invasive Dreissenid Mussels
Counting and Measuring Invasive Dreissenid MusselsUSGS contractor Victoria Conn counting and measuring invasive dreissenid mussels in a laboratory at the GLSC Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station (Chesterton, Indiana) as part of the Great Lakes Integrated Cladophora Assessment Project.
Kasia Przybyla-Kelly, ecologist at the Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station collecting samples for eDNA sequencing in the search for Round Goby in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, MI. Photo Credit: USGS.
Kasia Przybyla-Kelly, ecologist at the Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station collecting samples for eDNA sequencing in the search for Round Goby in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, MI. Photo Credit: USGS.
USGS dive team members Marc Blouin and Glen Black carrying an ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) into Lake Michigan to measure currents throughout the summer season in order to improve predictive modeling at recreational beaches and better predict E. coli concentrations in the water, therefore improve safety of swimmers.
USGS dive team members Marc Blouin and Glen Black carrying an ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) into Lake Michigan to measure currents throughout the summer season in order to improve predictive modeling at recreational beaches and better predict E. coli concentrations in the water, therefore improve safety of swimmers.
Publications by this scientist
Round goby detection in Lakes Huron and Michigan— An evaluation of eDNA and fish catches Round goby detection in Lakes Huron and Michigan— An evaluation of eDNA and fish catches
Influence of sediment and stream transport on detecting a source of environmental DNA Influence of sediment and stream transport on detecting a source of environmental DNA
Great Lakes Cladophora harbors phylogenetically diverse nitrogen-fixing microorganims Great Lakes Cladophora harbors phylogenetically diverse nitrogen-fixing microorganims
Environmental DNA (eDNA): A tool for quantifying the abundant but elusive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) Environmental DNA (eDNA): A tool for quantifying the abundant but elusive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)
Freshwater wrack along Great Lakes coasts harbors Escherichia coli: Potential for bacterial transfer between watershed environments Freshwater wrack along Great Lakes coasts harbors Escherichia coli: Potential for bacterial transfer between watershed environments
Prototypic automated continuous recreational water quality monitoring of nine Chicago beaches Prototypic automated continuous recreational water quality monitoring of nine Chicago beaches
New about this scientist