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Mari Titcombe Lee, PhD

Mari Lee is an Associate Program Coordinator for the Energy Resources Program in the Energy and Minerals Mission Area.

Mari Lee is an associate program coordinator for the Energy Resources Program (Energy and Minerals Mission Area), where she sets scientific priorities and develops scientific programs that advance our understanding of the Nation's geologic energy resources.

Mari previously served as a Branch Chief for the Strategic Laboratory Science Branch in the Water Mission Area, a project manager for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and water quality related research, and acted as Chief of Analytical Services at the National Water Quality Laboratory.

Professional Experience

  • Supervisory Chemist/Branch Chief, Strategic Laboratory Science Branch, Water Mission Area, USGS, 2020-2024

  • Physical Scientist, Risk Assessment Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, US EPA, 2011-2020

  • Post-Doctoral Research Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 2015

  • Visiting Associate Professor, Environmental Program, Colorado College, 2011-2015

  • Graduate Research Fellow, Global Change Education Program, DOE/ORISE, 2007-2011

  • Analytical Chemist, Boston Scientific Corporation, 2005-2006

  • Peace Corps Volunteer, US Peace Corps Tanzania, 2002-2004

Education and Certifications

  • American Chemical Society B.S. in Chemistry, minor in Mathematics from Hope College, Holland MI

  • Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, graduate minor in Environmental Health from University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN

Honors and Awards

  • USGS Star Awards for Exceptional Performance and Service, 2022, 2023 & 2024

  • US EPA OCSPP Best Practices Award for Creative and Innovative Practices in the Chemical Safety & Pollution Prevention Program, 2019

  • US EPA Bronze Award for Commendable Service, 2017

  • US EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Mission Award, 2017

  • Grant Lyddon Faculty-Student Collaboration Research Grant, Colorado College, 2014

  • NSF National Competition Award Recipient, American Meteorological Society Summer Policy Colloquium, 2010

  • DOE Graduate Research Environmental Fellowship, 2007-2011

  • NSF Graduate Travel Award, 2009

  • NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship for Nanoparticle Science and Engineering, 2007

  • NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Honorable Mention, 2006

Science and Products

Interdisciplinary science approach for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey

Executive SummaryAlgal blooms in water, soils, dusts, and the environment have captured national attention because of concerns associated with exposure to algal toxins for humans and animals. Algal blooms naturally occur in all surface-water types and are important primary producers for aquatic ecosystems. However, excessive algae growth can be associated with many harmful effects...
Authors
Victoria G. Christensen, Christopher J. Crawford, Robert J. Dusek, Michael J. Focazio, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Jennifer L. Graham, Celeste A. Journey, Mari E. Lee, James H. Larson, Sarah M. Stackpoole, Viviana Mazzei, Emily Pindilli, Barnett A. Rattner, E. Terrence Slonecker, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy J. Reilly, Ashley E. Lopez
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Kansas Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Landsat Missions

Integrated science for the study of microplastics in the environment—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey

Executive SummaryEvidence of the widespread occurrence of microplastics throughout our environment and exposure to humans and other organisms over the past decade has led to questions about the possibility of health hazards and mitigation of exposures. This document discusses nanoplastics as well as microplastics (referred to solely as microplastics); the microplastics have a range from...
Authors
Deborah Iwanowicz, Austin K. Baldwin, Larry B. Barber, Vicki S. Blazer, Steven R. Corsi, Joseph W. Duris, Shawn C. Fisher, Michael Focazio, Sarah E. Janssen, Jeramy Roland Jasmann, Dana W. Kolpin, Johanna M. Kraus, Rachael F. Lane, Mari E. Lee, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy D. Oden, Timothy J. Reilly, Andrew R. Spanjer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Science and Products

Interdisciplinary science approach for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey

Executive SummaryAlgal blooms in water, soils, dusts, and the environment have captured national attention because of concerns associated with exposure to algal toxins for humans and animals. Algal blooms naturally occur in all surface-water types and are important primary producers for aquatic ecosystems. However, excessive algae growth can be associated with many harmful effects...
Authors
Victoria G. Christensen, Christopher J. Crawford, Robert J. Dusek, Michael J. Focazio, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Jennifer L. Graham, Celeste A. Journey, Mari E. Lee, James H. Larson, Sarah M. Stackpoole, Viviana Mazzei, Emily Pindilli, Barnett A. Rattner, E. Terrence Slonecker, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy J. Reilly, Ashley E. Lopez
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Kansas Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Landsat Missions

Integrated science for the study of microplastics in the environment—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey

Executive SummaryEvidence of the widespread occurrence of microplastics throughout our environment and exposure to humans and other organisms over the past decade has led to questions about the possibility of health hazards and mitigation of exposures. This document discusses nanoplastics as well as microplastics (referred to solely as microplastics); the microplastics have a range from...
Authors
Deborah Iwanowicz, Austin K. Baldwin, Larry B. Barber, Vicki S. Blazer, Steven R. Corsi, Joseph W. Duris, Shawn C. Fisher, Michael Focazio, Sarah E. Janssen, Jeramy Roland Jasmann, Dana W. Kolpin, Johanna M. Kraus, Rachael F. Lane, Mari E. Lee, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy D. Oden, Timothy J. Reilly, Andrew R. Spanjer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center
USGS Location
Energy Resources Program
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