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Sabina R Gifford

Intro

Sabina started with USGS in February 2020 and currently serves as a Physical Scientist investigating the environmental drivers of Cyanobacteria blooms in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Prior to coming to USGS, Sabina received her Masters degree from the University of New Hampshire researching the ecology and toxicity of deep-water cyanobacteria blooms occasionally found on clear New Hampshire Lakes. While conducting this research Sabina also worked with the New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program, which has been working with volunteers and undergraduate interns for the past 40 years to monitor water quality on lakes around the state. 

Sabina has been studying lakes in New England and New York for the last seven years and has research expertise in cyanobacteria blooms, lake water quality monitoring, the influence of physical and chemical environment on phytoplankton community dynamics, fluorescence sensors, aquatic plant identification and monitoring.

 

Education:

MS in Integrative and Organismal Biology (2019) – University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH

BS in Biology with Honors with a focus in Marine Biology (2012) – Stanford University, Stanford, CA

BS in Earth Systems, Oceans Track (2012) – Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Science and Products

Imaging Flow Cytometry Data for Live and Preserved Phytoplankton Samples from Owasco and Seneca Lakes, Finger Lakes Region, New York, 2020

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release contains phytoplankton classification and enumeration results from near-surface samples analyzed by imaging flow cytometry and collected as part of a harmful algae bloom (HAB) monitoring study conducted in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Samples were collected biweekly from monitoring platforms
By
New York Water Science Center

Field Data for an Evaluation of Sensors for Continuous Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms in the Finger Lakes Region, New York, 2018 - 2020

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release contains meteorological, water temperature, light (photosynthetically active radiation and illumination), and multichannel fluorescence sensor data from the Finger Lakes Region of New York, during the fall of 2018 and the summer and fall of 2019 and 2020. It also includes all sensor data and associated discrete sample data, at the near surface (top),
By
New York Water Science Center

Vertical Profiles of Water Quality and Light in Owasco, Seneca, and Skaneateles Lakes, Finger Lakes Region, New York, 2019-2020

Field data for vertical profiles of light and water quality parameters were collected biweekly between May and November in 2019 and June and October in 2020 in association with continuous monitoring platforms in Owasco, Seneca, and Skaneateles Lakes, Finger Lakes Region, New York.  Water quality profiles were collected using Yellow Spring Instruments (YSI) EXO2 sondes and light profiles were colle
By
New York Water Science Center

Phytoplankton Data from Owasco, Seneca, and Skaneateles Lakes, Finger Lakes Region, New York, 2019–2020 (ver. 2.1, June 2023)

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release provides phytoplankton data collected as part of an advanced harmful algae bloom (HAB) monitoring study conducted in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Samples were collected biweekly in association with continuous monitoring platforms in Owasco, Seneca, and Skaneateles Lakes, Finger Lakes Region,
By
New York Water Science Center
Liz Nystrom captaining a boat on the Hudson River
Liz Nystrom captaining a boat on the Hudson River
Liz Nystrom captaining a boat on the Hudson River
Liz Nystrom captaining a boat on the Hudson River

Liz Nystrom captaining a boat on the Hudson River

Liz Nystrom captaining a boat on the Hudson River

Photo Contest Winner | September 2021 | Honorable Mention 2

Liz Nystrom captaining a boat on the Hudson River

By
Water Resources, Chesapeake Bay Activities, New York Water Science Center
Liz Nystrom captaining a boat on the Hudson River

Liz Nystrom captaining a boat on the Hudson River

Liz Nystrom captaining a boat on the Hudson River

Photo Contest Winner | September 2021 | Honorable Mention 2

Liz Nystrom captaining a boat on the Hudson River

By
Water Resources, Chesapeake Bay Activities, New York Water Science Center

Evaluation of sensors for continuous monitoring of harmful algal blooms in the Finger Lakes region, New York, 2019 and 2020

In response to the increasing frequency of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, a pilot study by the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, was conducted to enhance CyanoHAB monitoring and understanding. High-frequency sensors were deployed on open water monitoring-station p
Authors
Brett D. Johnston, Kaitlyn M. Finkelstein, Sabina R. Gifford, Michael D. Stouder, Elizabeth A. Nystrom, Philip R. Savoy, Joshua J. Rosen, Matthew B. Jennings
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center
Field Photo Friday Winner for May 2021

Field Photo Friday Winner for May 2021

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Surveying at USGS 04273996 W BR AUSABLE R TRIB 1 ABV ST HW 86 NR LK PLACID NY (Credit: Isabella Lucia, USGS...

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Science and Products