My current research is focusing on the distribution of phytoplankton throughout the water column in the northern San Francisco Estuary. I am interested in how phytoplankton sampled from increasing depths tolerate low-light conditions. I will be measuring the productivity of phytoplankton sampled from surface waters, 3m, 6-8m of depth, and bottom waters. To test productivity, 24-hour incubation experiments will be conducted using isotopic tracer methods with 13C.

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As part of the Wilkerdale Lab, I will also be sampling for species of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, silicate, phosphate, dissolved inorganic carbon, and chlorophyll. This will contribute to their two ongoing research projects. The first is studying the phytoplanktonic impacts that RegionalSan's upgrade to discharging nitrate-rich wastewater instead of ammonium-rich wastewater had. The second is to improve monitoring, modeling, and prediction of phytoplankton blooms in the northern San Francisco Estuary.