Education
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
Ph.D. Geosciences GPA: 3.9
Emphasis: Water Quality / Spatial Ecology 2023
Dissertation: Nitrogen enrichment, eutrophication, and bottom-up trophic shifts in ecosystems of the Indian River Lagoon, FL
Advisor: Dr. Brian E. Lapointe
University of Southern Mississippi Ocean Springs, MS
M.S. Coastal Sciences GPA: 3.8
Emphasis: Toxicology / Quantitative Fisheries Ecology 2012
Thesis: Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
Co-Advisors: Drs. Joe Griffitt and Richard Fulford
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
B.S. Environmental Science GPA: 3.6
Emphasis: Marine and Coastal Resources Management 2010
Thesis: The role of oyster reefs as essential fish habitat in estuarine ecosystems
Advisor: Dr. Gregory W. Stunz
Research Interests
Water Quality, Harmful Algal Blooms, Seagrass, Phycology, Anthropogenic Impacts to Aquatic Systems, Spatial Ecology, Fisheries, Marine Habitat, Toxicology, Trophic Dynamics, Urban Ecology, Eutrophication
Professional Employment
2021– Present Research Scientist II, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute- Florida Atlantic University
Responsible for project and data management. Coordinate with collaborators, local governments, and agencies to meet project goals. Co-author reports, grant proposals, and scientific publications. Maintain budgets for grant funded projects. Mentor and manage staff, students, and volunteers. Organize and lead team in fieldwork. Operate and trailer boats (19 – 28’) inshore and offshore. Collect nekton, water, plant, and algae samples and process for analyses. Conduct statistical analyses of multivariate datasets.
2016 – 2021 Research Coordinator, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute- Florida Atlantic University
Was responsible for project and data management. Coordinated with collaborators, local governments, and agencies to meet project goals. Co-authored reports, grant proposals, and scientific publications. Maintained budgets for grant funded projects. Mentored and managed undergraduate and graduate students. Organized and led team in fieldwork. Operated and trailered boats (19 – 28’). Collected nekton, water, plant, and algae samples and processed for analyses. Created and maintained laboratory website. Conducted statistical analyses of multivariate datasets. Calibrated and maintained field equipment (YSI, LiCor, HANNA).
2016 – 2016 Environmental Scientist II, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Maintained, calibrated, and operated environmental monitoring and GPS equipment (e.g., YSI, Trimble, Garmin). Prepped and planned sample collection trips. Operated off-road vehicles and canoes. Assisted in the management of sample databases. Operated and trailered small boats (17’ skiff and canoe). Collected water and algae samples from Florida canals, bays, streams, lakes, and wells following standard operating procedures (SOPs).
2014 – 2016 Research Specialist II, Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation (CSSC), Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
Responsible for a multi-species assessment of the health, reproductive fitness, and diversity of reef fish on offshore habitats. Participated in fieldwork, laboratory sample processing, data analysis, and manuscript production. Participated in the collection and acoustic/satellite tagging of reef fish, pelagic fish, and sharks. Operated and trailered boats (20 – 36’). Mentored students and led them in laboratory work and research. Maintained and analyzed a Microsoft Access database. Conduct statistical analyses of multivariate datasets. Created, updated, and managed the CSSC’s social media accounts.
2014 – 2014 Environmental Scientist II, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
Biologist on the Water Quality Standards team in the Water Permits division. Worked independently to develop a database of fish and invertebrate species sensitive to various toxicants. Participated in a multi-agency approach for the assessment of coastal dissolved oxygen standards.
2012– 2014 Research Associate II, Marine Fish Lab, Auburn University
Analyzed the diet of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) using molecular tools to identify prey items. Surveyed reef habitats with SCUBA. Assisted in the operation and maintenance of two research vessels (36 and 44'). Assisted with the collection and acoustic tagging of reef fish and sharks. Coordinated the monthly settlement of the university purchase card for the lab and the maintained budgets for various grants. Co-authored reports and publications. Maintained databases and analyzed multivariate datasets.
2010 – 2012 Research Assistant, Gulf Coast Research Lab, University of Southern Mississippi
Investigated the effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on fish gene expression, reproductive health, and growth using field collections, laboratory exposures, and qPCR. Coordinated and led multi-state sampling trips in conjunction with state wildlife agencies and academic researchers. Operated small vessels (18 – 22') inshore. Analyzed large fisheries datasets using SigmaPlot, Excel, and R. Coauthored grant proposals, progress reports to funding agencies, and peer-reviewed publications. Deployed sampling equipment on subtidal oyster reef sites using SCUBA. Collected nekton for stable isotope analysis using trap samplers. Collected fish using gill nets and hook and line sampling. Prepared tissue samples for stable isotope analysis. Set up laboratory experiments and toxicology exposures.
2008 – 2010 Research Assistant, Fisheries Ecology Laboratory, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Completed a comparative assessment of intertidal oyster reef as essential fish habitat. Operated boats (16 – 25') inshore and participated in vessel maintenance. Trained students to identify estuarine species and maintained identification key for fish and crustaceans. Organized laboratory samples and equipment for grant-funded projects, assisted with field collections, and preparation of figures and tables for reports.
2009 – 2009 Field Assistant, Environmental Microbiology Lab, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Collected water samples, per EPA standards, from freshwater inflow sources draining to degraded Texas bays. Used geospatial systems and GPS to map inflow sampling sites and locations of creek beds. Collected water samples from kayaks and on foot. Photographed study sites for use in contamination investigation. Collected field data and environmental parameters.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
22. Brewton, R.A., & Lapointe, B.E. 2023. The green macroalga Caulerpa prolifera replaces seagrass in a nitrogen enriched, phosphorus limited, urbanized estuary. Ecological Indicators, 156, 111035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111035
21. McGillicuddy, Jr., D.J., Morton, P.L., Brewton, R.A., Hu, C., Kelly, T.B., Solow, A.R., and Lapointe, B.E. 2023. Nutrient and arsenic biogeochemistry of Sargassum in the western Atlantic. Nature Communications, 14(1), 6205. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41904-4
20. Brewton, R.A. and Lapointe, B.E. 2023. Eutrophication leads to food web enrichment and a lack of connectivity in a highly impacted urban lagoon. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 195, 115411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115441
19. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Wilking L.E., and Herren, L.W. 2023. Fertilizer restrictions are not sufficient to mitigate nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms in the Indian River Lagoon. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 193, 115041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115041
18. Tyre, K.N., Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L.B., and Lapointe, B.E. 2023. Widespread human waste pollution in surface water observed throughout the urbanized, coastal communities of Lee County, Florida, USA. Science of the Total Environment, 879, 162716.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162716
17. Lapointe, B.E. Brewton, R.A., and Littlejohn, J.M. 2022. Assessment of the performance of a Distributed Wastewater Treatment Unit in central Florida. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2022.223
16. Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L.E., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Septic system – groundwater – surface water interactions in aging waterfront communities contribute to harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida. Science of the Total Environment, 837, 155319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155319
15. Herren, L.W., Wilking, L.E., Tarnowski, M.E., Vogel, M.A., Brewton, R.A., and Lapointe, B.E. 2021. Septic systems contaminate groundwater and surface waters draining into the eutrophic Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 172, 112928.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112928
14. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Herren, L.W, Wang, M., Hu, C., McGillicuddy, D.J., Lindell, S., Hernandez, F.J., and Morton, P.L. 2021. Nutrient content and stoichiometry of pelagic Sargassum reflects increasing nitrogen availability in the Atlantic Basin. Nature Communications, 12, 3060. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23135-7
13. Hu, C., Wang, M., Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Hernandez, F.J. 2021. On the Atlantic pelagic Sargassum’s role in carbon fixation and sequestration. Science of the Total Environment, 781, 146801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146801
12. Laureano-Rosario, A.E., McFarland, M., Bradshaw, D., Metz, J., Brewton, R.A., Pitts, T., Perricone, C., Schreiber, S., Stockley, N. Wang, G., Guzmán, E.A., Lapointe, B.E., Wright, A., Jacoby, C., and Twardowski, M.S. 2021. Microcystins and saxitoxin dynamics in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Harmful Algae, 103, 102012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2021.102012
11. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Herren, L.W., Porter, J.W., Hu, C., and Cannizzaro, J.P. 2020. Sound science, not politics, must inform restoration of Florida Bay and the coral reefs of the Florida Keys. Marine Biology, 167, 67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-020-3669-z
10. Brewton, R.A., Downey, C.H., Streich, M.K., Ajemian, M.J., and Stunz, G.W. 2020. Trophic ecology of red snapper Lutjanus campechanus on natural and artificial reefs of the western Gulf of Mexico: complex interactions between habitat and fish size. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 635, 105-122. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13210
9. Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W, Brewton, R.A., and Alderman, P. 2020. Nutrient over-enrichment and light limitation of seagrass communities in the Indian River Lagoon, an urbanized subtropical estuary. Science of the Total Environment, 134068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134068
8. Szedlmayer, S.T., and Brewton, R.A. 2019. DNA barcoding reveals a broader diet and habitat use in Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) than visual stomach content analysis. In: Red Snapper Biology in a Changing World. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
7. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Herren, L.W., Porter, J.W., and Hu, C. 2019. Nitrogen enrichment, altered stoichiometry, and coral reef decline at Looe Key, Florida Keys, USA: a three-decade study. Marine Biology, 166: 108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-019-3538-9
6. Wang, M., Hu, C., Cannizzaro, J., English, D., Han, X., Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Hernandez, F.J. 2018. Remote sensing of Sargassum biomass, nutrients, and pigments. Geophysical Research Letters, 45, 12,359 - 12,367. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL078858
5. Downey, C.H., Streich, M.K., Brewton, R.A., Ajemian, M.J., Wetz, J.J., and Stunz, G.W. 2018. Habitat‐specific reproductive potential of Red Snapper: A comparison of artificial and natural reefs in the western Gulf of Mexico. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 147(6), 1030-1041. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10104
4. Gain, I.E., Brewton, R.A., Robillard, M.M., Johnson, K.D., Smee, D.L., and Stunz, G.W. 2017. Intertidal oyster reef supports elevated abundance of diverse macrofauna in the estuarine mosaic. Marine Biology, 164(1):8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-016-3033-5
3. Brewton, R.A., Ajemian, M.J., Young, P.C., and Stunz, G.W. 2016. Feeding Ecology of Dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus in the western Gulf of Mexico. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 145(4), 839-853. https://doi.org/10.1080/00028487.2016.1159614
2. Brown-Peterson, N.J., Brewton, R.A., Griffitt, R.J., and Fulford, R.S. 2014. Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the reproductive biology of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus). In: Alford, B.A., Green, C., and Peterson, M.S., eds. Impacts of Oil Spill Disasters on Marine Fisheries in North America (pp.231-246). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
1. Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2013. Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus). Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 76: 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2013.848394
Technical Reports & Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications
9. Lapointe, B.E., Tyre, K.N., Brewton, R.A., and Baladi, D. 2022. Lee County Microbial Source Tracking Study. Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Lee County Natural Resources Department, Fort Myers, FL.
8. Lapointe, B.E. and Brewton, R.A. 2021. Assessment of an OnSyte Performance Distributed Wastewater Treatment Unit on Groundwater Quality in Lake Hamilton, FL. OnSyte Performance, LLC and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Tallahassee, FL.
7. Lapointe, B.E. and Brewton, R.A. The Recurring Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt impacts the Caribbean and South Florida. Harmful Algae News, 66, December 2020. http://www.e-pages.dk/ku/1487/
6. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L.E., and Herren, L.W. 2021. Caloosahatchee River- North Fort Myers Nutrient and Bacteria Study: Year 2. Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Lee County Natural Resources Department, Fort Myers, FL.
5. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Baladi, D. 2020. Septic system – groundwater – surface water couplings in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River: MST Phase II. City of Port St. Lucie Public Works Department. City of Port St. Lucie, FL.
4. Lapointe, B.E., Wilking, L.E., Brewton, R.A., and Herren, L.W. 2018. Caloosahatchee River- North Fort Myers Bacteria and Nutrient Source Tracking. Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Lee County Natural Resources Department, Fort Myers, FL.
3. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Wilking, L.E., 2018. Microbial source tracking of bacterial pollution in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. City of Port St. Lucie Public Works Department. City of Port St. Lucie, FL.
2. Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W., Paule, A., Sleeman, A., and Brewton, R.A. 2016. Charlotte County water quality assessment, Phase 1: Data analysis and recommendations for long-term monitoring. Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, Charlotte County Utilities. Port Charlotte, FL.
1. Stunz, G.W., Ajemian, M.J., Streich, M.K., Brewton, R.A., Downey, C.H., and Hall, Q. 2016. Investigation of the relative habitat value of oil/gas platforms and natural banks in enhancing stock building of reef fish in the western Gulf of Mexico. Southeast Regional Office, National Marine Fisheries Service. St. Petersburg, FL.
Research Funding & Awards
2023 – 2028 Co-PI, NOAA Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms (MERHAB) Research Program (NOAA-NOS-NCCOS-2023-2007530), Developing an operational Sargassum HAB monitoring and forecasting system for the southeastern US and US Caribbean waters, $518,588 subaward from University of South Florida, project total $3,134,888.
2023 – 2025 Co-PI, United States EPA South Florida Program EPA-I-R4-SFL-2022-01, Determining long term trends in Florida Keys water quality and linkages to micro- and macro- algal blooms: Implications for management decisions, $186,755 subaward from University of South Florida, project total $395,486.
2023-2014 Co-PI, Save Our Seas Specialty License Plate Program granted through the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, Tracking land-based pollution and long-term changes in nutrient stoichiometry on the Florida Reef Tract, $139,993.
2023-2024 Co-PI, Protect Wild Dolphins Specialty License Plate Program granted through the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, Environmental drivers of bottlenose dolphin occurrence in the Indian River Lagoon, $137,768.
2021 – 2022 Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) sponsored attendance for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS or Drones) executive education courses on UAS Applications and Operations in Environmental Science offered by the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University $6,000
2021 – 2022 Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellowship, Harbor Branch Foundation $6,550
2020 – 2021 Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellowship, Harbor Branch Foundation $9,863
2019 – 2020 Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellowship, Harbor Branch Foundation $9,260
2010 – 2012 University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Coastal Sciences, Graduate Research Assistantship, Full time salary and tuition waiver
2010 ESA Student Section Best Undergraduate Presentation Award for Outstanding Poster Presentation at the 2009 ESA Annual Meeting
2008 – 2010 Dean’s List (5 semesters), Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
2009 – 2010 Zonta Club Scholarship $1,500
2009 Student Travel Award from Provost to travel to CERF National Meeting $400
2009 Honorable Mention for Oral Presentation, Ninth Annual Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Symposium. Corpus Christi, Texas
2008 – 2010 Marty Pritchett Scholarship for Scientific Excellence $1,375
2008 – 2009 Community Outreach Scholarship $1,000
2008 – 2009 TPEG Undergraduate Scholarship $2,000
2008 – 2009 Travel Award: Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans National Meetings 2008 & 2009
2008 – 2009 National Science Foundation Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology Fellowship $30,000
Professional Skills
Manuscript Reviewer
Marine Ecology Progress Series, Science of the Total Environment, Marine Biology Research, Regional Studies in Marine Science, Ecological Applications, Journal of Fish Biology, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Marine Pollution Bulletin
Professional Organizations
2021 – Present The Oceanography Society
2019 – Present Sigma Gamma Epsilon- National Honor Society for the Earth Sciences
2009 – Present American Fisheries Society
2009 – Present Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation
2009 – 2016 Ecological Society of America
2011 – 2016 Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
2010 – 2012 Marine & Estuarine Graduate Student Association
2008 – 2011 Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans
2008 – 2010 Association of Women in Science
Invited Presentations
Lapointe, B.E., Tyre, K.N., and Brewton, R.A. 2022. Lee County Microbial Source Tracking Study. Presentation to Lee County Senior Staff, Fort Myers, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Baladi, D. 2021. Macroalgae Blooms in a Changing World:
Some Examples in South Florida. Presentation to the 2021 Florida Macroalgae Workshop, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, via Zoom.
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., and Baladi, D. 2020. Septic system – groundwater – surface water couplings in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River: MST Phase II. Presentation to the City of Port St. Lucie City Council. City of Port St. Lucie, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Wilking, L.E., and Herren, L.W. 2019. Caloosahatchee River- North Fort Myers Bacteria and Nutrient Source Tracking. Workshop presentation to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Fort Myers, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Wilking, L.E., and Herren, L.W. 2019. Caloosahatchee River- North Fort Myers Bacteria and Nutrient Source Tracking. Presentation to Lee County Senior Staff, Fort Myers, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Wilking, L.E. 2018. Microbial source tracking of bacterial pollution in St. Lucie County. Presentation to the St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners. Fort Pierce, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., and Wilking, L.E. 2018. Microbial source tracking of bacterial pollution in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Presentation to the City of Port St. Lucie City Council. City of Port St. Lucie, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W., Paule, A., Sleeman, A, and Brewton, R.A. 2016. Charlotte County water quality assessment, phase I: data analysis and recommendations for long-term monitoring. Presentation to Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners. Port Charlotte, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2014. Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus). United States Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Ecology Division. Gulf Breeze, FL.
Conference Presentations
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., McFarland, M.N., Jiang, M., Cannizzaro, J.P., Hu, C. Nutrient availability across the Lake Okeechobee Waterway: relations to Microcystis blooms in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. 11th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. Albany, NY.
Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Septic system – groundwater – surface couplings contribute to harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida. 11th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. Albany, NY.
Kreiger, L., Brewton, R.A., Tyre, K.N., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Total Immersion: What’s in Lee County Waterways? Florida Stormwater Association Annual Conference. Fort Myers, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L.E., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Septic System – Groundwater – Surface Water Interactions in Aging Residential Finger Canals Contribute to Harmful Algal Blooms in Southwest Florida. The Gulf of Mexico Conference 2022. Baton Rouge, LA.
Brewton, R.A., Tyre, K.N., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Caulerpa prolifera specific food webs reveal a lack of connectivity in the Northern Indian River Lagoon and Banana River. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: IRL Connectivity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Tyre, K.N., Brewton, R.A., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Changes in light availability and benthic macrophyte cover in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: IRL Connectivity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L.E., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Septic System – Groundwater – Surface Water Interactions in Aging Residential Finger Canals Contribute to Harmful Algal Blooms in Southwest Florida. Ocean Sciences Meeting 2022. via Zoom.
Brewton, R.A., Baladi, D., Tyre, K.N., and Lapointe, B.E. 2021. Extreme Primary Producer Shifts in Florida’s Northern Indian River Lagoon and Banana River. 10.5th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. via Zoom.
Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2021. Septic System – Groundwater – Surface Water Interactions in Aging Residential Finger Canals Contribute to Harmful Algal Blooms in the Caloosahatchee River Estuary. 10.5th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. via Zoom.
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., and Baladi, D. 2021. Primary Producer Shifts in the Northern Indian River Lagoon and Banana River during COVID. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: IRL Research during the Pandemic. Fort Pierce, FL.
Jiang, M., Lapointe, B.E., McFarland, M., Brereton, A., Brewton, R.A., Hanisak, M.D., and Stockley, N. 2021. Development of a Coupled Hydrodynamic-biogeochemical-Microcystis Model for the St. Lucie Estuary, FL. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: IRL Research during the Pandemic. Fort Pierce, FL.
Laureano-Rosario, A.E., McFarland, M., Bradshaw II, D.J., Metz, J., Brewton, R.A., Pitts, T., Perricone, C., Schreiber, S., Stockley, N., Wang, G., Guzman, E.A., Lapointe, B.E., Wright, A., Jacoby, C., and Twardowski, M.S. Dynamics of microcystins in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida: A Case Study from the Florida Center for Coastal and Human Health (2020). Short Communication. Oceans and Human Health Symposium, Monaco (Virtual Conference).
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W., and Alderman, P. 2020. Nutrient over-enrichment and light limitation of seagrass communities in the Indian River Lagoon. University of Florida Water Institute Symposium. Gainesville, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Wang, M., Hu, C., McGillicuddy, D., and Lindell, S. 2020. Ecology of pelagic Sargassum blooms and their emerging impacts on South Florida’s coastal zone. University of Florida Water Institute Symposium. Gainesville, FL.
McFarland, M., Hanisak, D., Stockley, N., Schreiber, S., Brewton, R.A., and Sullivan J.M. 2020. Machine learning techniques applied to flow cytometry and flow imaging data to assess phytoplankton community dynamics in a Florida coastal lagoon and estuary. Ocean Sciences Meeting 2020. San Diego, CA.
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., and Baladi, D. 2020. Food web effects of eutrophication in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Laureano-Rosario, A.E., Guzmán, E. Stockley, N., Twardowski, M., Wright, A., Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and McFarland, M. 2020. Water quality drivers of microcystin and saxitoxin concentrations in the Indian River Lagoon: a case study from the Florida Center for Coastal and Human Health. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Stockley, N., McFarland, M., Hanisak, D., Brewton, R.A., and Schreiber, S. 2020. Comparison of field and laboratory phytoplankton pigment fluorescence measurements in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
McFarland, M., Hanisak, D., Schreiber, S., Stockley, N., Brewton, R.A., and Sullivan, J.M. 2020. Machine learning techniques applied to flow cytometry and flow imaging data to assess phytoplankton community dynamics in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Baladi, D. 2020. Groundwater – surface water interactions in the North Fork of the St. Lucie Estuary. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W, Brewton, R.A., and Alderman, P. 2020. Nutrient over-enrichment and brown tide result in light limitation of seagrass communities in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Wang, M., Hu, C., McGillicuddy, D., and Lindell, S. 2019. The biggest algae bloom on Earth: development of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. 10th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. Orange Beach, AL.
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W., and Alderman, P. 2019. Nutrient over-enrichment and light limitation of seagrass communities in the Indian River Lagoon, an urbanized subtropical estuary. 10th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. Orange Beach, AL.
Brewton, R.A., Wilking, L.E., and Lapointe, B.E. 2019. Urban Water Quality in the IRL Watershed: What is Going on in the North Fork? Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Indian River Lagoon- Quo Vadis? Fort Pierce, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W., and Brewton, R.A. 2018. Eutrophication, N:P stoichiometry, and climate change impact Looe Key reef in the Lower Florida Keys, USA. Southeastern Estuarine Research Society Spring 2018 Meeting. St. Augustine, FL.
Wilking, L.E., Brewton, R.A., and Lapointe, B.E. 2018. Microbial source tracking of bacterial pollution in the North Fork of the St. Lucie Estuary. Southeastern Estuarine Research Society Spring 2018 Meeting. St. Augustine, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Wilking, L.E., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2018. Mitigating eutrophication in the Indian River Lagoon: How effective were the fertilizer bans? Southeastern Estuarine Research Society Spring 2018 Meeting. St. Augustine, FL.
Wang, M., Hu, C., Cannizzaro, J.P., English, D.C., Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Hernandez, F.J. 2018. Remote sensing of Sargassum biomass and pigment concentrations. Ocean Sciences Meeting. Portland, OR.
Brewton, R.A., Wilking, L.E., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2018. Mitigating harmful algal blooms in the Indian River Lagoon: How effective were the fertilizer bans? Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Restoration of the Indian River Lagoon. Fort Pierce, FL.
Madio, J.M., Wilking, L.E., Brewton, R.A., and Lapointe, B.E. 2018. Source tracking agricultural and urban nutrient inputs into the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Restoration of the Indian River Lagoon. Fort Pierce, FL.
Wilking, L.E., Brewton, R.A., Madio, J.M., and Lapointe, B.E. 2018. Microbial source tracking of bacterial pollution in the North Fork of the St. Lucie Estuary. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Restoration of the Indian River Lagoon. Fort Pierce, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Herren, L.W. 2018. Cultural eutrophication and harmful algal blooms in the Indian River Lagoon, East-central Florida. 9th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. Baltimore, MD.
Ajemian, M.J., Streich, M.K., Wetz, J.J., Brewton, R.A., and G.W. Stunz. 2017. “Rigs-to-Reefs” in the Gulf of Mexico: Sampling Design, Fisheries Impacts, and Design Considerations. 147th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Tampa, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Baumberger, R. 2017. Effects of land-based nutrient pollution on coral reef ecosystems revealed by long-term monitoring at Looe Key, Florida. 147th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Tampa, FL.
Brewton, R.A. and Lapointe, B.E., 2017. Stable nitrogen isotopes in primary producers reveal evidence of sewage pollution in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: An Estuary in Peril. Fort Pierce, FL.
Ajemian, M.J., Wetz, J.J., Brewton, R.A., Streich, M.K., Downey, C.H., and Stunz, G.W. 2016. Relative value of Rigs-to-Reefs habitats to Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) stock building in the western Gulf of Mexico. 45th Benthic Ecology Meeting, Portland, ME.
Ajemian, M.J., Wetz, J.J., Brewton, R.A., Downey, C.H., and Stunz, G.W. 2016. Trophic and reproductive ecology of Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, on natural and artificial reefs in the western Gulf of Mexico. Ocean Sciences Meeting 2016. New Orleans, LA.
Downey, C., Brewton, R. A., Wetz, J.J., Ajemian, M. J., and Stunz, G.W. 2015. Reproductive biology of Red Snapper, Lujanus campechanus, on natural and artificial reefs in the western Gulf of Mexico. Texas Bays and Estuaries Meeting. Port Aransas, TX
Brewton, R.A., Ajemian, M.J., and Stunz, G.W. 2015. Highly opportunistic foraging of Common Dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus, in the western Gulf of Mexico. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Reno, NV.
Brewton, R.A., Ajemian, M.J., Robillard, M.R., Curtis, J.M., and Stunz, G.W. 2015. Trophic ecology of Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, among various habitat types in the western Gulf of Mexico. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Reno, NV.
Downey, C.H., Brewton, R.A., Wetz, J. J., Ajemian, M.J., Stunz, G.W. 2015. Reproductive biology of Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus on natural and artificial reefs in the western Gulf of Mexico. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Reno, NV.
Brewton, R.A., and Szedlmayer, S.T. 2014. Enhancing Red Snapper Diet Analysis with the addition of DNA barcoding. Southern Division- American Fisheries Annual Meeting. Charleston, SC.
Brewton, R.A. and Szedlmayer, S.T. 2013. Improving the resolution of Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, diets with DNA barcoding. American Fisheries Society Meeting. Little Rock, AK.
Brown-Peterson, N.J., R.A. Brewton, R.J. Griffitt, and Fulford, R.S. 2013. Spotted seatrout reproductive biology impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. American Fisheries Society Meeting. Little Rock, AK.
Brewton, RA. and Szedlmayer, S.T. 2013. Improving the resolution and accuracy of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus diets with DNA barcoding. Alabama Fisheries Association Meeting.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2012. Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Cynoscion nebulosus. Gulf Estuarine Research Society Biannual Meeting. Dauphin Island, AL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Cynoscion nebulosus. Mississippi Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting. Hattiesburg, MS.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Cynoscion nebulosus. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America Meeting. Boston, MA.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Survival and growth of estuarine fish following exposures of chemically enhanced dispersed oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation International Meeting. Daytona Beach, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Impacts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the health and growth of estuarine fish and ecosystem functionality. Northern Gulf Institute Annual Meeting. Mobile, AL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Impacts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill to estuarine fish growth and ecosystem functionality. Graduate Student Symposium. Chauvin, LA.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Impacts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill to estuarine fish growth and ecosystem functionality. University of Southern Mississippi Graduate Student Research Symposium. Hattiesburg, MS.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Estuarine fish health and growth as an indicator of ecosystem level effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Mobile, AL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Impacts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill to estuarine fish growth and ecosystem functionality. American Fisheries Society Southern Division Meeting. Tampa, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2010. Impacts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill to estuarine fish growth and ecosystem functionality. Gulf Estuarine Research Society Biannual Meeting. Port Aransas, TX.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M., and Gain, I.E. 2009. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Annual Conference 2010. Biloxi, MS.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M., and Gain, I.E. 2009. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation International Meeting. Portland, OR.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M., and Gain, I.E. 2009. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans National Conference 2009. Dallas, TX
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M., and Gain, I.E. 2009. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Ninth Annual Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Symposium. Corpus Christi, TX.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M., and Gain, I.E. 2009. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. Albuquerque, NM.
Brewton, R, G. Stunz, M. Reese, I. Dominguez. 2008. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Eighth Annual Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Symposium. Corpus Christi, TX.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M, and Dominguez, I.E. 2008. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans National Conference 2008. Salt Lake City, UT.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M, and Dominguez, I.E. 2008. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Summer Undergraduate Research Focus Symposium. Corpus Christi, TX.
Outreach Presentations
Brewton, R.A. and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Seaweeds, Seagrasses, and Marine Ecosystem Health. Manatee Observation and Education Center Lunch and Learn Lecture Series. Fort Pierce, FL.
Brewton, R.A. and Lapointe, B.E. 2016. Ecology and Biochemistry of Harmful Algal Blooms. Ocean Science Lecture Series. Fort Pierce, FL.
Teaching Experience
Florida Atlantic University
Spring 2021 Guest Lecturer, “Stable isotopes in oceanography” Chemical Oceanography
Fall 2020 Guest Lecturer, “Eutrophication” Biological Oceanography
Spring 2020 Student Advisor Ecology of worm reefs Directed Independent Research
Community Outreach & Volunteering
2017 – 2020 Judge of Student Presentations, Indian River Lagoon Symposium
2018 Harbor Branch Team Coordinator, Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup
2017 Official, National Ocean Science Bowl, Manatee Bowl
2016 – 2017 Volunteer, Coral Reef Health and Ecology Lab, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University
2014 – 2016 Social Media Coordinator, Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation
2014 – 2015 Twitter Contact, Shark Week and OCEARCH Tweet Chat @SportfishCenter
2014 Social Media Contact, Shark After Dark, Texas State Aquarium
2014 Presenter, Gulf of Mexico Shark Research, Sharkathon Fishing Rodeo
2013 Volunteer, 100-1000 Restore Coastal Alabama
2011 – 2012 Volunteer, Walter Anderson Festival
Media Coverage
02/04/2022 - News 7 Miami, “Biologists warn manatees will become dying breed if regulations to protect them aren’t made,” available here: https://wsvn.com/news/investigations/biologists-warn-manatees-will-become-dying-breed-if-regulations-to-protect-them-arent-made/
12/08/2021- The Boca Raton Tribune, “Septic System Waste Pervasive throughout Florida’s Indian River Lagoon,” available here: https://www.bocaratontribune.com/bocaratonnews/2021/12/septic-system-waste-pervasive-throughout-floridas-indian-river-lagoon/
12/02/2021- ScienceDaily, “Septic system waste pervasive throughout Florida’s Indian River lagoon,” available here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211202092944.htm
12/02/2021- FAU Press Release, “Septic system waste pervasive throughout Florida’s Indian River lagoon,” by Gisele Galoustian, available here: https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/septic-systems-study-irl
06/16/2021- NSF Research News, “Surge in nitrogen has turned Sargassum into the world's largest harmful algal bloom,” available here: https://nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=302915&org=NSF&from=news
05/24/2021- ScienceDaily, “Surge in nitrogen has turned Sargassum into the world's largest harmful algal bloom,” available here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210524091959.htm#:~:text=toxic%20'dead%20zone.-,'%20Results%20suggest%20that%20increased%20nitrogen%20availability%20from%20natural%20and%20anthropogenic,%2C%20economies%2C%20and%20human%20health.
05/24/2021- FAU Press Release, “Surge in nitrogen has turned Sargassum into the world's largest harmful algal bloom,” by Gisele Galoustian, available here: https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/nitrogen-seaweed-study.php
03/23/2001- City of Port St. Lucie, “Our Water” video series by Benjamin Elliot, available here: https://www.cityofpsl.com/government/departments/utility-systems/water-quality-initiatives
09/19/2019- CBS 12 News, “Septic tanks may contaminate water in Port St. Lucie, could become an expensive problem,” by Denise Sawyer, available here: https://cbs12.com/news/local/septic-tanks-may-contaminate-water-in-port-st-lucie-could-become-an-expensive-problem
07/16/2019- NPR Environment, All Things Considered, “Florida's Corals Are Dying Off, But It's Not All Due To Climate Change, Study Says,” by Pien Huang, available here: https://www.npr.org/2019/07/16/742050975/floridas-corals-are-dying-off-but-it-s-not-all-due-to-climate-change-study-says
04/30/2019- The News Press, “Study finds huge septic system dysfunction in North Fort Myers, contributing to pollution,” by Amy Bennet Williams, available here: https://www.news-press.com/story/tech/science/environment/2019/04/30/septic-system-dysfunction-north-fort-myers-leads-water-pollution-study-finds/3622896002/
08/31/2018- Treasure Coast Newspapers, “Port St. Lucie encouraging sanitary sewer connections to keep poop out of St. Lucie River,” by George Andreassi, available here: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/shaping-our-future/growth/2018/08/31/port-st-lucie-wants-reduce-septic-tank-flows-into-st-lucie-river/1136251002/
06/21/2018- WPTV West Palm Beach, FL, “Near-shore reefs in St. Lucie County showing impacts from Indian River Lagoon,” by Meghan McRoberts, available here: https://www.wptv.com/news/region-st-lucie-county/near-shore-reefs-in-st-lucie-county-showing-impacts-from-indian-river-lagoon
05/21/2017- WPTV West Palm Beach, FL, “Study of St. Lucie River targeting pollution,” by Jon Shainman, available here: https://www.wptv.com/news/region-st-lucie-county/study-of-st-lucie-river-targeting-pollution
05/18217- WPTV West Palm Beach, FL, “Saving North America's last living coral reef,” by Jay Cashmere, available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIVyy0b-90k
2017- PBS South Florida, Changing Seas, “Episode 902: Toxic Algae: Complex Sources and Solutions,” produced by Mark Baker, Melissa Harmon, and Veronique Koch, available here: https://www.changingseas.tv/season-9/902/.
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
Ph.D. Geosciences GPA: 3.9
Emphasis: Water Quality / Spatial Ecology 2023
Dissertation: Nitrogen enrichment, eutrophication, and bottom-up trophic shifts in ecosystems of the Indian River Lagoon, FL
Advisor: Dr. Brian E. Lapointe
University of Southern Mississippi Ocean Springs, MS
M.S. Coastal Sciences GPA: 3.8
Emphasis: Toxicology / Quantitative Fisheries Ecology 2012
Thesis: Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
Co-Advisors: Drs. Joe Griffitt and Richard Fulford
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
B.S. Environmental Science GPA: 3.6
Emphasis: Marine and Coastal Resources Management 2010
Thesis: The role of oyster reefs as essential fish habitat in estuarine ecosystems
Advisor: Dr. Gregory W. Stunz
Research Interests
Water Quality, Harmful Algal Blooms, Seagrass, Phycology, Anthropogenic Impacts to Aquatic Systems, Spatial Ecology, Fisheries, Marine Habitat, Toxicology, Trophic Dynamics, Urban Ecology, Eutrophication
Professional Employment
2021– Present Research Scientist II, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute- Florida Atlantic University
Responsible for project and data management. Coordinate with collaborators, local governments, and agencies to meet project goals. Co-author reports, grant proposals, and scientific publications. Maintain budgets for grant funded projects. Mentor and manage staff, students, and volunteers. Organize and lead team in fieldwork. Operate and trailer boats (19 – 28’) inshore and offshore. Collect nekton, water, plant, and algae samples and process for analyses. Conduct statistical analyses of multivariate datasets.
2016 – 2021 Research Coordinator, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute- Florida Atlantic University
Was responsible for project and data management. Coordinated with collaborators, local governments, and agencies to meet project goals. Co-authored reports, grant proposals, and scientific publications. Maintained budgets for grant funded projects. Mentored and managed undergraduate and graduate students. Organized and led team in fieldwork. Operated and trailered boats (19 – 28’). Collected nekton, water, plant, and algae samples and processed for analyses. Created and maintained laboratory website. Conducted statistical analyses of multivariate datasets. Calibrated and maintained field equipment (YSI, LiCor, HANNA).
2016 – 2016 Environmental Scientist II, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Maintained, calibrated, and operated environmental monitoring and GPS equipment (e.g., YSI, Trimble, Garmin). Prepped and planned sample collection trips. Operated off-road vehicles and canoes. Assisted in the management of sample databases. Operated and trailered small boats (17’ skiff and canoe). Collected water and algae samples from Florida canals, bays, streams, lakes, and wells following standard operating procedures (SOPs).
2014 – 2016 Research Specialist II, Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation (CSSC), Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
Responsible for a multi-species assessment of the health, reproductive fitness, and diversity of reef fish on offshore habitats. Participated in fieldwork, laboratory sample processing, data analysis, and manuscript production. Participated in the collection and acoustic/satellite tagging of reef fish, pelagic fish, and sharks. Operated and trailered boats (20 – 36’). Mentored students and led them in laboratory work and research. Maintained and analyzed a Microsoft Access database. Conduct statistical analyses of multivariate datasets. Created, updated, and managed the CSSC’s social media accounts.
2014 – 2014 Environmental Scientist II, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
Biologist on the Water Quality Standards team in the Water Permits division. Worked independently to develop a database of fish and invertebrate species sensitive to various toxicants. Participated in a multi-agency approach for the assessment of coastal dissolved oxygen standards.
2012– 2014 Research Associate II, Marine Fish Lab, Auburn University
Analyzed the diet of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) using molecular tools to identify prey items. Surveyed reef habitats with SCUBA. Assisted in the operation and maintenance of two research vessels (36 and 44'). Assisted with the collection and acoustic tagging of reef fish and sharks. Coordinated the monthly settlement of the university purchase card for the lab and the maintained budgets for various grants. Co-authored reports and publications. Maintained databases and analyzed multivariate datasets.
2010 – 2012 Research Assistant, Gulf Coast Research Lab, University of Southern Mississippi
Investigated the effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on fish gene expression, reproductive health, and growth using field collections, laboratory exposures, and qPCR. Coordinated and led multi-state sampling trips in conjunction with state wildlife agencies and academic researchers. Operated small vessels (18 – 22') inshore. Analyzed large fisheries datasets using SigmaPlot, Excel, and R. Coauthored grant proposals, progress reports to funding agencies, and peer-reviewed publications. Deployed sampling equipment on subtidal oyster reef sites using SCUBA. Collected nekton for stable isotope analysis using trap samplers. Collected fish using gill nets and hook and line sampling. Prepared tissue samples for stable isotope analysis. Set up laboratory experiments and toxicology exposures.
2008 – 2010 Research Assistant, Fisheries Ecology Laboratory, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Completed a comparative assessment of intertidal oyster reef as essential fish habitat. Operated boats (16 – 25') inshore and participated in vessel maintenance. Trained students to identify estuarine species and maintained identification key for fish and crustaceans. Organized laboratory samples and equipment for grant-funded projects, assisted with field collections, and preparation of figures and tables for reports.
2009 – 2009 Field Assistant, Environmental Microbiology Lab, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Collected water samples, per EPA standards, from freshwater inflow sources draining to degraded Texas bays. Used geospatial systems and GPS to map inflow sampling sites and locations of creek beds. Collected water samples from kayaks and on foot. Photographed study sites for use in contamination investigation. Collected field data and environmental parameters.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
22. Brewton, R.A., & Lapointe, B.E. 2023. The green macroalga Caulerpa prolifera replaces seagrass in a nitrogen enriched, phosphorus limited, urbanized estuary. Ecological Indicators, 156, 111035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111035
21. McGillicuddy, Jr., D.J., Morton, P.L., Brewton, R.A., Hu, C., Kelly, T.B., Solow, A.R., and Lapointe, B.E. 2023. Nutrient and arsenic biogeochemistry of Sargassum in the western Atlantic. Nature Communications, 14(1), 6205. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41904-4
20. Brewton, R.A. and Lapointe, B.E. 2023. Eutrophication leads to food web enrichment and a lack of connectivity in a highly impacted urban lagoon. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 195, 115411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115441
19. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Wilking L.E., and Herren, L.W. 2023. Fertilizer restrictions are not sufficient to mitigate nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms in the Indian River Lagoon. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 193, 115041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115041
18. Tyre, K.N., Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L.B., and Lapointe, B.E. 2023. Widespread human waste pollution in surface water observed throughout the urbanized, coastal communities of Lee County, Florida, USA. Science of the Total Environment, 879, 162716.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162716
17. Lapointe, B.E. Brewton, R.A., and Littlejohn, J.M. 2022. Assessment of the performance of a Distributed Wastewater Treatment Unit in central Florida. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2022.223
16. Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L.E., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Septic system – groundwater – surface water interactions in aging waterfront communities contribute to harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida. Science of the Total Environment, 837, 155319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155319
15. Herren, L.W., Wilking, L.E., Tarnowski, M.E., Vogel, M.A., Brewton, R.A., and Lapointe, B.E. 2021. Septic systems contaminate groundwater and surface waters draining into the eutrophic Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 172, 112928.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112928
14. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Herren, L.W, Wang, M., Hu, C., McGillicuddy, D.J., Lindell, S., Hernandez, F.J., and Morton, P.L. 2021. Nutrient content and stoichiometry of pelagic Sargassum reflects increasing nitrogen availability in the Atlantic Basin. Nature Communications, 12, 3060. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23135-7
13. Hu, C., Wang, M., Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Hernandez, F.J. 2021. On the Atlantic pelagic Sargassum’s role in carbon fixation and sequestration. Science of the Total Environment, 781, 146801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146801
12. Laureano-Rosario, A.E., McFarland, M., Bradshaw, D., Metz, J., Brewton, R.A., Pitts, T., Perricone, C., Schreiber, S., Stockley, N. Wang, G., Guzmán, E.A., Lapointe, B.E., Wright, A., Jacoby, C., and Twardowski, M.S. 2021. Microcystins and saxitoxin dynamics in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Harmful Algae, 103, 102012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2021.102012
11. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Herren, L.W., Porter, J.W., Hu, C., and Cannizzaro, J.P. 2020. Sound science, not politics, must inform restoration of Florida Bay and the coral reefs of the Florida Keys. Marine Biology, 167, 67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-020-3669-z
10. Brewton, R.A., Downey, C.H., Streich, M.K., Ajemian, M.J., and Stunz, G.W. 2020. Trophic ecology of red snapper Lutjanus campechanus on natural and artificial reefs of the western Gulf of Mexico: complex interactions between habitat and fish size. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 635, 105-122. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13210
9. Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W, Brewton, R.A., and Alderman, P. 2020. Nutrient over-enrichment and light limitation of seagrass communities in the Indian River Lagoon, an urbanized subtropical estuary. Science of the Total Environment, 134068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134068
8. Szedlmayer, S.T., and Brewton, R.A. 2019. DNA barcoding reveals a broader diet and habitat use in Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) than visual stomach content analysis. In: Red Snapper Biology in a Changing World. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
7. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Herren, L.W., Porter, J.W., and Hu, C. 2019. Nitrogen enrichment, altered stoichiometry, and coral reef decline at Looe Key, Florida Keys, USA: a three-decade study. Marine Biology, 166: 108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-019-3538-9
6. Wang, M., Hu, C., Cannizzaro, J., English, D., Han, X., Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Hernandez, F.J. 2018. Remote sensing of Sargassum biomass, nutrients, and pigments. Geophysical Research Letters, 45, 12,359 - 12,367. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL078858
5. Downey, C.H., Streich, M.K., Brewton, R.A., Ajemian, M.J., Wetz, J.J., and Stunz, G.W. 2018. Habitat‐specific reproductive potential of Red Snapper: A comparison of artificial and natural reefs in the western Gulf of Mexico. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 147(6), 1030-1041. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10104
4. Gain, I.E., Brewton, R.A., Robillard, M.M., Johnson, K.D., Smee, D.L., and Stunz, G.W. 2017. Intertidal oyster reef supports elevated abundance of diverse macrofauna in the estuarine mosaic. Marine Biology, 164(1):8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-016-3033-5
3. Brewton, R.A., Ajemian, M.J., Young, P.C., and Stunz, G.W. 2016. Feeding Ecology of Dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus in the western Gulf of Mexico. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 145(4), 839-853. https://doi.org/10.1080/00028487.2016.1159614
2. Brown-Peterson, N.J., Brewton, R.A., Griffitt, R.J., and Fulford, R.S. 2014. Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the reproductive biology of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus). In: Alford, B.A., Green, C., and Peterson, M.S., eds. Impacts of Oil Spill Disasters on Marine Fisheries in North America (pp.231-246). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
1. Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2013. Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus). Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 76: 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2013.848394
Technical Reports & Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications
9. Lapointe, B.E., Tyre, K.N., Brewton, R.A., and Baladi, D. 2022. Lee County Microbial Source Tracking Study. Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Lee County Natural Resources Department, Fort Myers, FL.
8. Lapointe, B.E. and Brewton, R.A. 2021. Assessment of an OnSyte Performance Distributed Wastewater Treatment Unit on Groundwater Quality in Lake Hamilton, FL. OnSyte Performance, LLC and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Tallahassee, FL.
7. Lapointe, B.E. and Brewton, R.A. The Recurring Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt impacts the Caribbean and South Florida. Harmful Algae News, 66, December 2020. http://www.e-pages.dk/ku/1487/
6. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L.E., and Herren, L.W. 2021. Caloosahatchee River- North Fort Myers Nutrient and Bacteria Study: Year 2. Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Lee County Natural Resources Department, Fort Myers, FL.
5. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Baladi, D. 2020. Septic system – groundwater – surface water couplings in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River: MST Phase II. City of Port St. Lucie Public Works Department. City of Port St. Lucie, FL.
4. Lapointe, B.E., Wilking, L.E., Brewton, R.A., and Herren, L.W. 2018. Caloosahatchee River- North Fort Myers Bacteria and Nutrient Source Tracking. Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Lee County Natural Resources Department, Fort Myers, FL.
3. Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Wilking, L.E., 2018. Microbial source tracking of bacterial pollution in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. City of Port St. Lucie Public Works Department. City of Port St. Lucie, FL.
2. Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W., Paule, A., Sleeman, A., and Brewton, R.A. 2016. Charlotte County water quality assessment, Phase 1: Data analysis and recommendations for long-term monitoring. Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, Charlotte County Utilities. Port Charlotte, FL.
1. Stunz, G.W., Ajemian, M.J., Streich, M.K., Brewton, R.A., Downey, C.H., and Hall, Q. 2016. Investigation of the relative habitat value of oil/gas platforms and natural banks in enhancing stock building of reef fish in the western Gulf of Mexico. Southeast Regional Office, National Marine Fisheries Service. St. Petersburg, FL.
Research Funding & Awards
2023 – 2028 Co-PI, NOAA Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms (MERHAB) Research Program (NOAA-NOS-NCCOS-2023-2007530), Developing an operational Sargassum HAB monitoring and forecasting system for the southeastern US and US Caribbean waters, $518,588 subaward from University of South Florida, project total $3,134,888.
2023 – 2025 Co-PI, United States EPA South Florida Program EPA-I-R4-SFL-2022-01, Determining long term trends in Florida Keys water quality and linkages to micro- and macro- algal blooms: Implications for management decisions, $186,755 subaward from University of South Florida, project total $395,486.
2023-2014 Co-PI, Save Our Seas Specialty License Plate Program granted through the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, Tracking land-based pollution and long-term changes in nutrient stoichiometry on the Florida Reef Tract, $139,993.
2023-2024 Co-PI, Protect Wild Dolphins Specialty License Plate Program granted through the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, Environmental drivers of bottlenose dolphin occurrence in the Indian River Lagoon, $137,768.
2021 – 2022 Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) sponsored attendance for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS or Drones) executive education courses on UAS Applications and Operations in Environmental Science offered by the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University $6,000
2021 – 2022 Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellowship, Harbor Branch Foundation $6,550
2020 – 2021 Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellowship, Harbor Branch Foundation $9,863
2019 – 2020 Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellowship, Harbor Branch Foundation $9,260
2010 – 2012 University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Coastal Sciences, Graduate Research Assistantship, Full time salary and tuition waiver
2010 ESA Student Section Best Undergraduate Presentation Award for Outstanding Poster Presentation at the 2009 ESA Annual Meeting
2008 – 2010 Dean’s List (5 semesters), Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
2009 – 2010 Zonta Club Scholarship $1,500
2009 Student Travel Award from Provost to travel to CERF National Meeting $400
2009 Honorable Mention for Oral Presentation, Ninth Annual Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Symposium. Corpus Christi, Texas
2008 – 2010 Marty Pritchett Scholarship for Scientific Excellence $1,375
2008 – 2009 Community Outreach Scholarship $1,000
2008 – 2009 TPEG Undergraduate Scholarship $2,000
2008 – 2009 Travel Award: Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans National Meetings 2008 & 2009
2008 – 2009 National Science Foundation Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology Fellowship $30,000
Professional Skills
- Experienced with various computer statistical and geospatial software packages
- R, SigmaPlot, Minitab, SPSS, PRIMER, SAS, Prism, ArcGIS, MATLAB
- Extensive field research experience
- Over 280 logged days at sea, including operating boats inshore and offshore in diverse weather conditions
- Extensive experience planning, prepping, and leading field sampling trips by boat and land
- Very experienced sampling water, algae, sediment, nekton, and other fauna by boat and land using a pole sampler, van Dorn, benthic sled, gill net, seine, vertical long line, hook and line, hand line, push net, shovel, sieve, etc.
- Adept with freshwater and marine plant, algal, and faunal identification
- Extensive experience presenting scientific research to scientific and lay audiences
- Skilled at laboratory techniques
- Stable isotope sample preparation
- Fish/invertebrate dissection and tissue collection methods
- Stomach content analysis: visual and with DNA barcoding
- Chemical, molecular, histological, and toxicology lab experience
- SCUBA certified (SSI Open Water)
- Extensive experience performing fish surveys and underwater equipment maintenance
- SSI Nitrox; as well as PADI Boat, Deep, and Night certified
- AAUS Scientific Diver
- Over 205 logged dives
- Skilled with wet laboratory and animal husbandry techniques
- Set up and maintenance of experimental aquaria
- Savvy in the use of social media and websites for scientific outreach
- Created and managed professional, scientific Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts
- Created and maintained laboratory website
- American Red Cross CPR, Emergency Oxygen, and First Aid certifications
Manuscript Reviewer
Marine Ecology Progress Series, Science of the Total Environment, Marine Biology Research, Regional Studies in Marine Science, Ecological Applications, Journal of Fish Biology, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Marine Pollution Bulletin
Professional Organizations
2021 – Present The Oceanography Society
2019 – Present Sigma Gamma Epsilon- National Honor Society for the Earth Sciences
2009 – Present American Fisheries Society
- Secretary, 2010 – 2011, University of Southern Mississippi Subunit
2009 – Present Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation
- SEERS 2018 – Present
- GERS 2010 – 2014
2009 – 2016 Ecological Society of America
2011 – 2016 Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
2010 – 2012 Marine & Estuarine Graduate Student Association
2008 – 2011 Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans
2008 – 2010 Association of Women in Science
Invited Presentations
Lapointe, B.E., Tyre, K.N., and Brewton, R.A. 2022. Lee County Microbial Source Tracking Study. Presentation to Lee County Senior Staff, Fort Myers, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Baladi, D. 2021. Macroalgae Blooms in a Changing World:
Some Examples in South Florida. Presentation to the 2021 Florida Macroalgae Workshop, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, via Zoom.
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., and Baladi, D. 2020. Septic system – groundwater – surface water couplings in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River: MST Phase II. Presentation to the City of Port St. Lucie City Council. City of Port St. Lucie, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Wilking, L.E., and Herren, L.W. 2019. Caloosahatchee River- North Fort Myers Bacteria and Nutrient Source Tracking. Workshop presentation to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Fort Myers, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Wilking, L.E., and Herren, L.W. 2019. Caloosahatchee River- North Fort Myers Bacteria and Nutrient Source Tracking. Presentation to Lee County Senior Staff, Fort Myers, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Wilking, L.E. 2018. Microbial source tracking of bacterial pollution in St. Lucie County. Presentation to the St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners. Fort Pierce, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., and Wilking, L.E. 2018. Microbial source tracking of bacterial pollution in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Presentation to the City of Port St. Lucie City Council. City of Port St. Lucie, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W., Paule, A., Sleeman, A, and Brewton, R.A. 2016. Charlotte County water quality assessment, phase I: data analysis and recommendations for long-term monitoring. Presentation to Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners. Port Charlotte, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2014. Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus). United States Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Ecology Division. Gulf Breeze, FL.
Conference Presentations
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., McFarland, M.N., Jiang, M., Cannizzaro, J.P., Hu, C. Nutrient availability across the Lake Okeechobee Waterway: relations to Microcystis blooms in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. 11th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. Albany, NY.
Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Septic system – groundwater – surface couplings contribute to harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida. 11th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. Albany, NY.
Kreiger, L., Brewton, R.A., Tyre, K.N., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Total Immersion: What’s in Lee County Waterways? Florida Stormwater Association Annual Conference. Fort Myers, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L.E., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Septic System – Groundwater – Surface Water Interactions in Aging Residential Finger Canals Contribute to Harmful Algal Blooms in Southwest Florida. The Gulf of Mexico Conference 2022. Baton Rouge, LA.
Brewton, R.A., Tyre, K.N., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Caulerpa prolifera specific food webs reveal a lack of connectivity in the Northern Indian River Lagoon and Banana River. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: IRL Connectivity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Tyre, K.N., Brewton, R.A., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Changes in light availability and benthic macrophyte cover in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: IRL Connectivity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L.E., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Septic System – Groundwater – Surface Water Interactions in Aging Residential Finger Canals Contribute to Harmful Algal Blooms in Southwest Florida. Ocean Sciences Meeting 2022. via Zoom.
Brewton, R.A., Baladi, D., Tyre, K.N., and Lapointe, B.E. 2021. Extreme Primary Producer Shifts in Florida’s Northern Indian River Lagoon and Banana River. 10.5th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. via Zoom.
Brewton, R.A., Kreiger, L., Tyre, K.N., Baladi, D., Wilking, L., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2021. Septic System – Groundwater – Surface Water Interactions in Aging Residential Finger Canals Contribute to Harmful Algal Blooms in the Caloosahatchee River Estuary. 10.5th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. via Zoom.
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., and Baladi, D. 2021. Primary Producer Shifts in the Northern Indian River Lagoon and Banana River during COVID. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: IRL Research during the Pandemic. Fort Pierce, FL.
Jiang, M., Lapointe, B.E., McFarland, M., Brereton, A., Brewton, R.A., Hanisak, M.D., and Stockley, N. 2021. Development of a Coupled Hydrodynamic-biogeochemical-Microcystis Model for the St. Lucie Estuary, FL. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: IRL Research during the Pandemic. Fort Pierce, FL.
Laureano-Rosario, A.E., McFarland, M., Bradshaw II, D.J., Metz, J., Brewton, R.A., Pitts, T., Perricone, C., Schreiber, S., Stockley, N., Wang, G., Guzman, E.A., Lapointe, B.E., Wright, A., Jacoby, C., and Twardowski, M.S. Dynamics of microcystins in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida: A Case Study from the Florida Center for Coastal and Human Health (2020). Short Communication. Oceans and Human Health Symposium, Monaco (Virtual Conference).
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W., and Alderman, P. 2020. Nutrient over-enrichment and light limitation of seagrass communities in the Indian River Lagoon. University of Florida Water Institute Symposium. Gainesville, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Wang, M., Hu, C., McGillicuddy, D., and Lindell, S. 2020. Ecology of pelagic Sargassum blooms and their emerging impacts on South Florida’s coastal zone. University of Florida Water Institute Symposium. Gainesville, FL.
McFarland, M., Hanisak, D., Stockley, N., Schreiber, S., Brewton, R.A., and Sullivan J.M. 2020. Machine learning techniques applied to flow cytometry and flow imaging data to assess phytoplankton community dynamics in a Florida coastal lagoon and estuary. Ocean Sciences Meeting 2020. San Diego, CA.
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., and Baladi, D. 2020. Food web effects of eutrophication in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Laureano-Rosario, A.E., Guzmán, E. Stockley, N., Twardowski, M., Wright, A., Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and McFarland, M. 2020. Water quality drivers of microcystin and saxitoxin concentrations in the Indian River Lagoon: a case study from the Florida Center for Coastal and Human Health. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Stockley, N., McFarland, M., Hanisak, D., Brewton, R.A., and Schreiber, S. 2020. Comparison of field and laboratory phytoplankton pigment fluorescence measurements in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
McFarland, M., Hanisak, D., Schreiber, S., Stockley, N., Brewton, R.A., and Sullivan, J.M. 2020. Machine learning techniques applied to flow cytometry and flow imaging data to assess phytoplankton community dynamics in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Baladi, D. 2020. Groundwater – surface water interactions in the North Fork of the St. Lucie Estuary. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W, Brewton, R.A., and Alderman, P. 2020. Nutrient over-enrichment and brown tide result in light limitation of seagrass communities in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. Fort Pierce, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., Wang, M., Hu, C., McGillicuddy, D., and Lindell, S. 2019. The biggest algae bloom on Earth: development of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. 10th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. Orange Beach, AL.
Brewton, R.A., Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W., and Alderman, P. 2019. Nutrient over-enrichment and light limitation of seagrass communities in the Indian River Lagoon, an urbanized subtropical estuary. 10th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. Orange Beach, AL.
Brewton, R.A., Wilking, L.E., and Lapointe, B.E. 2019. Urban Water Quality in the IRL Watershed: What is Going on in the North Fork? Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Indian River Lagoon- Quo Vadis? Fort Pierce, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Herren, L.W., and Brewton, R.A. 2018. Eutrophication, N:P stoichiometry, and climate change impact Looe Key reef in the Lower Florida Keys, USA. Southeastern Estuarine Research Society Spring 2018 Meeting. St. Augustine, FL.
Wilking, L.E., Brewton, R.A., and Lapointe, B.E. 2018. Microbial source tracking of bacterial pollution in the North Fork of the St. Lucie Estuary. Southeastern Estuarine Research Society Spring 2018 Meeting. St. Augustine, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Wilking, L.E., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2018. Mitigating eutrophication in the Indian River Lagoon: How effective were the fertilizer bans? Southeastern Estuarine Research Society Spring 2018 Meeting. St. Augustine, FL.
Wang, M., Hu, C., Cannizzaro, J.P., English, D.C., Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Hernandez, F.J. 2018. Remote sensing of Sargassum biomass and pigment concentrations. Ocean Sciences Meeting. Portland, OR.
Brewton, R.A., Wilking, L.E., Herren, L.W., and Lapointe, B.E. 2018. Mitigating harmful algal blooms in the Indian River Lagoon: How effective were the fertilizer bans? Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Restoration of the Indian River Lagoon. Fort Pierce, FL.
Madio, J.M., Wilking, L.E., Brewton, R.A., and Lapointe, B.E. 2018. Source tracking agricultural and urban nutrient inputs into the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Restoration of the Indian River Lagoon. Fort Pierce, FL.
Wilking, L.E., Brewton, R.A., Madio, J.M., and Lapointe, B.E. 2018. Microbial source tracking of bacterial pollution in the North Fork of the St. Lucie Estuary. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: Restoration of the Indian River Lagoon. Fort Pierce, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Herren, L.W. 2018. Cultural eutrophication and harmful algal blooms in the Indian River Lagoon, East-central Florida. 9th US Symposium on Harmful Algae. Baltimore, MD.
Ajemian, M.J., Streich, M.K., Wetz, J.J., Brewton, R.A., and G.W. Stunz. 2017. “Rigs-to-Reefs” in the Gulf of Mexico: Sampling Design, Fisheries Impacts, and Design Considerations. 147th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Tampa, FL.
Lapointe, B.E., Brewton, R.A., and Baumberger, R. 2017. Effects of land-based nutrient pollution on coral reef ecosystems revealed by long-term monitoring at Looe Key, Florida. 147th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Tampa, FL.
Brewton, R.A. and Lapointe, B.E., 2017. Stable nitrogen isotopes in primary producers reveal evidence of sewage pollution in the Indian River Lagoon. Indian River Lagoon Symposium: An Estuary in Peril. Fort Pierce, FL.
Ajemian, M.J., Wetz, J.J., Brewton, R.A., Streich, M.K., Downey, C.H., and Stunz, G.W. 2016. Relative value of Rigs-to-Reefs habitats to Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) stock building in the western Gulf of Mexico. 45th Benthic Ecology Meeting, Portland, ME.
Ajemian, M.J., Wetz, J.J., Brewton, R.A., Downey, C.H., and Stunz, G.W. 2016. Trophic and reproductive ecology of Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, on natural and artificial reefs in the western Gulf of Mexico. Ocean Sciences Meeting 2016. New Orleans, LA.
Downey, C., Brewton, R. A., Wetz, J.J., Ajemian, M. J., and Stunz, G.W. 2015. Reproductive biology of Red Snapper, Lujanus campechanus, on natural and artificial reefs in the western Gulf of Mexico. Texas Bays and Estuaries Meeting. Port Aransas, TX
Brewton, R.A., Ajemian, M.J., and Stunz, G.W. 2015. Highly opportunistic foraging of Common Dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus, in the western Gulf of Mexico. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Reno, NV.
Brewton, R.A., Ajemian, M.J., Robillard, M.R., Curtis, J.M., and Stunz, G.W. 2015. Trophic ecology of Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, among various habitat types in the western Gulf of Mexico. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Reno, NV.
Downey, C.H., Brewton, R.A., Wetz, J. J., Ajemian, M.J., Stunz, G.W. 2015. Reproductive biology of Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus on natural and artificial reefs in the western Gulf of Mexico. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Reno, NV.
Brewton, R.A., and Szedlmayer, S.T. 2014. Enhancing Red Snapper Diet Analysis with the addition of DNA barcoding. Southern Division- American Fisheries Annual Meeting. Charleston, SC.
Brewton, R.A. and Szedlmayer, S.T. 2013. Improving the resolution of Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, diets with DNA barcoding. American Fisheries Society Meeting. Little Rock, AK.
Brown-Peterson, N.J., R.A. Brewton, R.J. Griffitt, and Fulford, R.S. 2013. Spotted seatrout reproductive biology impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. American Fisheries Society Meeting. Little Rock, AK.
Brewton, RA. and Szedlmayer, S.T. 2013. Improving the resolution and accuracy of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus diets with DNA barcoding. Alabama Fisheries Association Meeting.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2012. Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Cynoscion nebulosus. Gulf Estuarine Research Society Biannual Meeting. Dauphin Island, AL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Cynoscion nebulosus. Mississippi Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting. Hattiesburg, MS.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Cynoscion nebulosus. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America Meeting. Boston, MA.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Survival and growth of estuarine fish following exposures of chemically enhanced dispersed oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation International Meeting. Daytona Beach, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Impacts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the health and growth of estuarine fish and ecosystem functionality. Northern Gulf Institute Annual Meeting. Mobile, AL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Impacts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill to estuarine fish growth and ecosystem functionality. Graduate Student Symposium. Chauvin, LA.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Impacts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill to estuarine fish growth and ecosystem functionality. University of Southern Mississippi Graduate Student Research Symposium. Hattiesburg, MS.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Estuarine fish health and growth as an indicator of ecosystem level effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Mobile, AL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2011. Impacts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill to estuarine fish growth and ecosystem functionality. American Fisheries Society Southern Division Meeting. Tampa, FL.
Brewton, R.A., Fulford, R.S., and Griffitt, R.J. 2010. Impacts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill to estuarine fish growth and ecosystem functionality. Gulf Estuarine Research Society Biannual Meeting. Port Aransas, TX.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M., and Gain, I.E. 2009. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Annual Conference 2010. Biloxi, MS.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M., and Gain, I.E. 2009. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation International Meeting. Portland, OR.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M., and Gain, I.E. 2009. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans National Conference 2009. Dallas, TX
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M., and Gain, I.E. 2009. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Ninth Annual Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Symposium. Corpus Christi, TX.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M., and Gain, I.E. 2009. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. Albuquerque, NM.
Brewton, R, G. Stunz, M. Reese, I. Dominguez. 2008. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Eighth Annual Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Symposium. Corpus Christi, TX.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M, and Dominguez, I.E. 2008. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans National Conference 2008. Salt Lake City, UT.
Brewton, R.A., Stunz, G.W., Reese, M.M, and Dominguez, I.E. 2008. The role of oyster reefs as habitat in estuarine ecosystems. Summer Undergraduate Research Focus Symposium. Corpus Christi, TX.
Outreach Presentations
Brewton, R.A. and Lapointe, B.E. 2022. Seaweeds, Seagrasses, and Marine Ecosystem Health. Manatee Observation and Education Center Lunch and Learn Lecture Series. Fort Pierce, FL.
Brewton, R.A. and Lapointe, B.E. 2016. Ecology and Biochemistry of Harmful Algal Blooms. Ocean Science Lecture Series. Fort Pierce, FL.
Teaching Experience
Florida Atlantic University
Spring 2021 Guest Lecturer, “Stable isotopes in oceanography” Chemical Oceanography
Fall 2020 Guest Lecturer, “Eutrophication” Biological Oceanography
Spring 2020 Student Advisor Ecology of worm reefs Directed Independent Research
Community Outreach & Volunteering
2017 – 2020 Judge of Student Presentations, Indian River Lagoon Symposium
2018 Harbor Branch Team Coordinator, Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup
2017 Official, National Ocean Science Bowl, Manatee Bowl
2016 – 2017 Volunteer, Coral Reef Health and Ecology Lab, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University
2014 – 2016 Social Media Coordinator, Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation
2014 – 2015 Twitter Contact, Shark Week and OCEARCH Tweet Chat @SportfishCenter
2014 Social Media Contact, Shark After Dark, Texas State Aquarium
2014 Presenter, Gulf of Mexico Shark Research, Sharkathon Fishing Rodeo
2013 Volunteer, 100-1000 Restore Coastal Alabama
- Assisted in the construction of oyster castles for reef restoration
- Assisted at children’s fishing rodeos, banquets and other events
2011 – 2012 Volunteer, Walter Anderson Festival
- Communicated scientific information to public at outreach table
- Judged high school science fair projects
- Judged science fair projects in Environmental Science
- Supervised and analyzed marine mammal behavior
- Assisted marine mammal necropsy
- Created lessons and taught earth science to middle school children
- Interviewed society leaders and produced articles for publication
- Taught middle school children about science
- Planned and coordinated learning activity for children
Media Coverage
02/04/2022 - News 7 Miami, “Biologists warn manatees will become dying breed if regulations to protect them aren’t made,” available here: https://wsvn.com/news/investigations/biologists-warn-manatees-will-become-dying-breed-if-regulations-to-protect-them-arent-made/
12/08/2021- The Boca Raton Tribune, “Septic System Waste Pervasive throughout Florida’s Indian River Lagoon,” available here: https://www.bocaratontribune.com/bocaratonnews/2021/12/septic-system-waste-pervasive-throughout-floridas-indian-river-lagoon/
12/02/2021- ScienceDaily, “Septic system waste pervasive throughout Florida’s Indian River lagoon,” available here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211202092944.htm
12/02/2021- FAU Press Release, “Septic system waste pervasive throughout Florida’s Indian River lagoon,” by Gisele Galoustian, available here: https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/septic-systems-study-irl
06/16/2021- NSF Research News, “Surge in nitrogen has turned Sargassum into the world's largest harmful algal bloom,” available here: https://nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=302915&org=NSF&from=news
05/24/2021- ScienceDaily, “Surge in nitrogen has turned Sargassum into the world's largest harmful algal bloom,” available here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210524091959.htm#:~:text=toxic%20'dead%20zone.-,'%20Results%20suggest%20that%20increased%20nitrogen%20availability%20from%20natural%20and%20anthropogenic,%2C%20economies%2C%20and%20human%20health.
05/24/2021- FAU Press Release, “Surge in nitrogen has turned Sargassum into the world's largest harmful algal bloom,” by Gisele Galoustian, available here: https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/nitrogen-seaweed-study.php
03/23/2001- City of Port St. Lucie, “Our Water” video series by Benjamin Elliot, available here: https://www.cityofpsl.com/government/departments/utility-systems/water-quality-initiatives
09/19/2019- CBS 12 News, “Septic tanks may contaminate water in Port St. Lucie, could become an expensive problem,” by Denise Sawyer, available here: https://cbs12.com/news/local/septic-tanks-may-contaminate-water-in-port-st-lucie-could-become-an-expensive-problem
07/16/2019- NPR Environment, All Things Considered, “Florida's Corals Are Dying Off, But It's Not All Due To Climate Change, Study Says,” by Pien Huang, available here: https://www.npr.org/2019/07/16/742050975/floridas-corals-are-dying-off-but-it-s-not-all-due-to-climate-change-study-says
04/30/2019- The News Press, “Study finds huge septic system dysfunction in North Fort Myers, contributing to pollution,” by Amy Bennet Williams, available here: https://www.news-press.com/story/tech/science/environment/2019/04/30/septic-system-dysfunction-north-fort-myers-leads-water-pollution-study-finds/3622896002/
08/31/2018- Treasure Coast Newspapers, “Port St. Lucie encouraging sanitary sewer connections to keep poop out of St. Lucie River,” by George Andreassi, available here: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/shaping-our-future/growth/2018/08/31/port-st-lucie-wants-reduce-septic-tank-flows-into-st-lucie-river/1136251002/
06/21/2018- WPTV West Palm Beach, FL, “Near-shore reefs in St. Lucie County showing impacts from Indian River Lagoon,” by Meghan McRoberts, available here: https://www.wptv.com/news/region-st-lucie-county/near-shore-reefs-in-st-lucie-county-showing-impacts-from-indian-river-lagoon
05/21/2017- WPTV West Palm Beach, FL, “Study of St. Lucie River targeting pollution,” by Jon Shainman, available here: https://www.wptv.com/news/region-st-lucie-county/study-of-st-lucie-river-targeting-pollution
05/18217- WPTV West Palm Beach, FL, “Saving North America's last living coral reef,” by Jay Cashmere, available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIVyy0b-90k
2017- PBS South Florida, Changing Seas, “Episode 902: Toxic Algae: Complex Sources and Solutions,” produced by Mark Baker, Melissa Harmon, and Veronique Koch, available here: https://www.changingseas.tv/season-9/902/.