People

Evelyn E. Gaiser, Ph.D.,
George M. Barley, Jr., Endowed Scholars Chair
Institute of Environment
Distinguished University Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Office: AHC1 318A
Email: gaisere@fiu.edu
CV, ORCID, Google Scholar

Kelsey Solomon, Ph.D.
George M. Barley, Jr., Post-doctoral Fellow
Ph.D. University of Georgia
Office: OE 163
Email: ksolomon@fiu.edu
CV

Franco Tobias
Research Specialist I
B.S. University of Alberta
Office: CASE 186B
Tel. 305-348-7286
Email: tobiasf@fiu.edu

Rafael Travieso
Research Specialist I
B.S. Universidad de la Habana, Cuba
Office: CASE 186B
Tel. 305-348-7286
Email: travieso@fiu.edu

Gabriel Kamener
Information Manager
B.S. University of Florida
Office: CASE 262
Tel. 305-348-1592
Email: gkamener@fiu.edu

Katie Johnson
Research Specialist I, Ph.D. Student
B.A. University of Georgia
M.S. Georgia College & State University
ORCid: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3290-819X
Office: CASE 186B
Email: kajohnso@fiu.edu

Samantha Hormiga
Research Specialist I
M.S. Florida International University
B.S. Florida International University
Email: shormiga@fiu.edu

Gustavo Dominguez
Research Analyst I
B.S. Colombia University
Email: gudoming@fiu.edu

Paige Kleindl
Ph.D. Student
M.S. Grand Valley State University
Project: Interactions between macrophyte and microbial mat communities along environmental gradients in wetlands
Email: pklei007@fiu.edu

Thomas Shannon
Ph.D. Student
B.S. University of Wisconsin
Project: Benthic microbial metacommunity indicators of groundwater intrusion
Email: tshan018@fiu.edu

Hanna Innocent
M.S. Student
B.S. University of Florida
Project: Effects of aquifer storage and recovery on periphyton
Email: hinno002@fiu.edu

Nils Cabrera
Research Analyst I
B.S. Florida International University
Email: nicabrer@fiu.edu

Julia Buscarnera
Research Analyst I
M.S. Florida Atlantic University
B.S. Nova Southeastern University
Email: jbuscarn@fiu.edu

Sarah Mulligan
Research Analyst I
M.S. University of South Carolina
B.S. Florida Southern College
Email: smulliga@fiu.edu

Graduate Student and Post-Doc Alumni

Samantha Hormiga,M.S., Biological Sciences, 2024
Coastal Carbon Flux: Periphyton Contributions and Diatom Indicators. Master's thesis, Florida International University.
Current Position: Research Specialist I, Gaiser Lab, Florida International University

Meredith Emery,M.S., Biological Sciences, 2021
Reconstructing cyclical browning from diatom records in a subtropical lake. Master's thesis, Florida International University.
Current Position: Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Newport, Oregon

Kaitlin Stansbury,M.S., Biological Sciences, 2021
Drivers of extracellular polysaccharide production by a mat-forming diatom. Master's thesis, Florida International University.

David Berthold, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2021
Dissertation: Growth of diatom Fistulifera alcalina in bacterial co-culture and comparative mitogenomics of Fistulifera species.
Current Position: Biologist III, University of Florida, Ft Lauderdale IFAS/REC

Kristy Sullivan, M.S., Biological Sciences, 2020
Thesis: Long-term drivers of phytoplankton assembly in a subtropical, monomictic lake
Current Position: Contractor, United States Geological Survey, Orlando, Florida

Eric Massa, M.S., Biological Sciences, 2019
Thesis: Effects of Phosphorus on Benthic Diatom Assemblage Network Structure
Current Position: Ph.D. Student at Queen's University (Arnott Aquatic Ecology Lab)

Luca Marazzi, Ph.D. Post-doc 2014-2018
Ph.D. University College London (2014)
Website Google Scholar
Current Position: Research Manager at Earthwatch Europe

Viviana Mazzei, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2018; Post-doc 2018-2019
Dissertation: Diatoms as Tools for Inferring Changing Environmental Gradients in Coastal, Freshwater Wetlands Threatened by Saltwater Intrusion
Current Position: Mendenhall Fellow, United States Geological Survey (Orlando, FL)

Nick Schulte, M.S., Biological Sciences, 2016
Thesis: Controls on Benthic Microbial Community Structure and Assembly in a Karstic Coastal Wetland
Current Position: Ph.D. Student at University of Colorado Boulder (McKnight Lab)

Emily Nodine, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2014
Dissertation: Evidence of Climate Variability and Tropical Cyclone Activity from Diatom Assemblage Dynamics in Coastal Southwest Florida
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Rollins College

Sylvia Lee, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2014
Dissertation: Mechanisms of Diatom Assembly in a Hydrologically-Managed Subtropical Wetland
Current Position: Scientist, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Ewan Isherwood, M.S., Biological Sciences, 2013 (Co-Advised with Dr. Jim Heffernan)
Thesis: The Effect of Contemporary Hydrologic Modification on Vegetation Community Composition Distinctness in the Florida Everglades
Current Position: Botanist, Colorado State University

Pamela Sullivan, Post-doc 2012-2013
Ph.D. Florida International University (2011)
Current Position: Associate Professor, Oregon State University

Amartya Saha, Post-doc 2010-2011
Google Scholar
Current Position: Ecohydrologist, Archbold Biological Station

Gregory Koch, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2011 (Co-Advised with Dr. Dan Childers)
Dissertation: Dynamics of Ecosystem Metabolism and Flocculent Detritus Transport in Estuarine Taylor River
Current Position: Manager, Performance Analytics, Carnival Cruise Line

Josette La Hée, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2010
Dissertation: The Influence of Phosphorus on Periphyton Mats from the Everglades and Three Tropical Karstic Wetlands

Jay Munyon, M.S., Biological Sciences, 2009
Thesis: The Effect of Hydrology and Phosphorus on Everglades Productivity
Current Position: Biological Scientist, U.S. Forest Service

Andy Bramburger, Post-doc 2009-2011
Google Scholar
Present: Research Scientist, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Amanda Quillen, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2009
Dissertation: Diatom-Based Paleolimnological Reconstruction of Quaternary Environments in a Florida Sinkhole Lake

Anna Wachnicka, Ph.D., Earth Sciences, 2009 (Co-Advised with Dr. Laurel Collins); Post-doc 2009-2012
Dissertation: Quantitative Diatom-Based Reconstruction of Paleoenvironmental Conditions in Florida Bay and Biscayne Bay, U.S.A.
Current Position: Lead Scientist, South Florida Water Management District

Pamela Bachman, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2009 (Co-Advised with Dr. Gary Rand)
Dissertation: Physiological Performance Measures and Tolerance Limits of Estuarine Indicator Species in South Florida

Elaine Fontes, M.S., Environmental Studies, 2008 (Co-Advised with Dr. Mike Ross)
Thesis: Tracking the Effects of Limnological Changes Using Chironomids and Chaoborus From Lake Annie, Florida

Serge Thomas, Post-doc 2001-2004
Ph.D. University Pierre et Marie Curie (2000)
Current Position: Associate Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University