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Aimee Renee Neeley

Photo of AIMEE NEELEY

Aimee Renee Neeley

  • Research Scientist
  • 301.614.5778
  • NASA/GSFC
  • Mail Code: 616.1
  • Greenbelt , MD 20771
  • Employer: SCIENCE SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS INC

    • Brief Bio

    I am a biological oceanographer at NASA Goddard, a member of the Field Support Group which falls under the umbrella of the Ocean Ecology Laboratory (OEL; Code 616). One goal of the FSG is to collect sets of in situ optical and biogeochemical data for Earth science climate data records and other supporting data records used for ocean color satellite vicarious calibration, data product validation, and bio-optical algorithm development. To this end, the field support group participates in large scale field campaigns, where in situ instruments are deployed to measure the optical properties of the ocean water column as well as collect biogeochemical samples. I have vast experience participating in global oceanographic field campaigns, traveling to such areas as the Chukchi Sea, the Southern Ocean and North Atlantic.

    Research Interests

    Phytoplankton functional types

    Validating current phytoplankton functional type algorithms on a regional scale.

    Phytoplankton physiology

    Understanding diagnostic phytoplankton photosynthetic pigments and changes thereof in response to environmental pressure(s).

    Phytoplankton absorption

    Collecting phytoplankton filter pad absorption samples in the field to groundtruth ocean color algorithms and to attain closure with in situ measurements of phytoplankton absorption.

    Phytoplankton taxonomy

    Discerning phytoplankton taxonomy in the global ocean and understanding how phytoplankton community structure may be changing over time.

    Oceanic Primary Productivity

    Modeling ocean primary productivity using mechanistic and empirical models.

    Current Projects

    Phytoplankton functional type algorithm validation

    I am responsible for using phytoplankton pigments and a program called Chemtax to validate phytoplankton functional type algorithms on a regional scale.  These algorithms are used to discern phytoplankton community structure using in situ and ocean color derived products.

    Lead a workshop to update the NASA protocol for absorption

    The absorption workshop was held June 11-13th. The overarching goal of the workshop was to produce an updated NASA protocol document that will highlight the most recent technological advances and improvements to the measurement of particle absorption. Ten experts, both local and international, from the field of ocean optics were asked to participate in the workshop based on their expertise. A subset of the attendees were asked to present current methods and technological advances for measuring particle absorption. Each participant (or group of participants) was assigned a writing task with the goal of a written protocol document by the end of the year. The group also discussed interest in future workshops, such as a workshop to address particle absorption data interpretation and applications (such as modeling and algorithm development) This document will be a living document and will be publicly available to the community. Aimee will address the details of the workshop in a poster at the Ocean Optics meeting in October thereby allowing for community comment, suggestions and, most importantly, community participation.

    PhD Dissertation

    Modeling oceanic primary productivity and phytoplankton in the Arctic

    Positions/Employment

    12/2008 - Present

    Staff Research Scientist/Biological Oceanographer

    Science Systems and Applications Inc, Goddard Space Flight Center Building 22, C197 One goal of the FSG is to collect sets of in situ optical and biogeochemical data for Earth science climate data records and other supporting data records used for ocean color satellite vicarious calibration, data product validation, and bio-optical algorithm development. To this end, the FSG participates in large-scale field campaigns, where in situ instruments are deployed to measure the optical properties of the ocean water column and biogeochemical samples are collected. Participate and/or lead community-driven protocol development workshops. Contribute to corporate initiatives. Other duties include participation in and organization for research cruises. Recently tasked as a phytoplankton
    biologist. Responsible for particulate absorption measurements and development  and validation of
    phytoplankton functional type algorithms. I am also resposnible for an algae culture lab.
    6/2007 - 11/2008

    Research Technician

    Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Bermuda Participate in monthly Bermuda Atlantic Time Series cruises for the collection and analysis of seawater
    samples for sulfur. Execute and analyze DMS/DMSPd consumption and turnover
    experiments using S35. Maintain laboratory and shipboard instruments.
    5/2005 - 6/2007

    Research Assistant

    College of Charleston, Charleston, SC Analyze photosynthetic pigments from research cruises using high
    performance liquid chromatography. Continue thesis work on the effects of ironlimitation
    on the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. Analyze the transcriptional and
    translational control of the photosynthetic proteins ferredoxin and flavodoxin in polar
    species of phytoplankton. Maintain laboratory cultures of various phytoplankton
    species. Also, continued assessment and improvement of protein extraction and analysis
    methods.

    Teaching Experience

    August-December 2001: Teaching Assistant
    Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology
    College of Charleston, SC
    Supervisor: Brian Scholtens

    January-May 2002: Teaching Assistant
    Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
    College of Charleston, SC
    Supervisor: Brian Scholtens

    Education

    Ph.D. Oceanography, University of Maryland, MD. August 2011-Present

    M.S. Marine Biology, University of Charleston, SC. May 2005.

    B.S. Marine Biology, Cum Laude, College of Charleston, SC. May 2001.

    Professional Societies

    The Oceanography Society, 2014 - Present
    The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, 2000 - 2008
    Golden Key National Honor Society, 2000 - 2008
    Sigma Xi National Honor Society, 2005 - Present

    Special Experience

    FIELD WORK EXPERIENCE
    1. September 25 – October 3, 2013: Research Scientist on the KIOST Ship R/V Eardo, Geoje-do, South Korea: Filtered seawater for various biogeochemical parameters, including phytoplankton pigments, POM, POC, and TSM.
    2.  February 4 – February 26, 2013: Research Scientist on the NOAA Ship Pisces, Norfolk, Virginia to Newport, Rhode Island: Filtered seawater for various biogeochemical parameters, including phytoplankton pigments, POM, POC, DOC, CDOM, and TSM. Aided with deployment of Hyperpro radiometer.
    3. May 2012-June 2012: Research Scientist on the R/V Kilo Moana, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI:  Filtered seawater for various biogeochemical parameters, including phytoplankton pigments, POM, POC, DOC, CDOM, and TSM.
    4. May 9, 2012: Research Scientist on the R/V Rachel Carson, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Solomons Island, Maryland: Assisted Dr. Lora Harris with collecting biological andbiogeochemical samples. Collected biogeochemical samples for analysis at NASA, including phytoplankton pigments, POM, POC, DOC, CDOM, and TSM.
    5. February 2011-April 2011: Research Technician on the R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer McMurdo Station, Antarctica to Punta Arenas, Chile: Filtered seawater for various biogeochemical parameters, including phytoplankton pigments, POM, POC, DOC, CDOM, and TSM.
    6. June 2010-July 2010: Research Technician on the USCGC Healy, Chukchi Sea as part of the NASA funded mission ICESCAPE: Filtered seawater for various biogeochemical parameters, including marine pigments, POM, POC, DOC, CDOM, and TSM. Supported optics measurements.
    7. June 2007-November 2008. Research Technician Dimethylsulfide Studies at BATS: Monthly cruises to the BATS site in the Sargasso Sea. Collection and analysis of seawater samples for DMS, DMSP using gas chromatography. DMS turnover, DMSP consumption, and DMS Yield experimentsusing isotope S35 . Regular maintenance of lab and shipboard instruments.
    8. November 2006-December 2006. Research technician on the R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer, Ross Sea, Antarctica. Collected samples from oceanic stations for analysis of phytoplankton pigments and proteins. Shipboard collection and analysis of biogenic sulfur compound using gas chromatography for field samples and experiments. Determined photosynthetic efficiency of phytoplankton cells using a fast repetition rate fluorometer. Collection and analysis of ice cores.
    9. February 2006-March 2006. Research technician for a biocomplexity project at Palmer Station, Antarctica, examining algal production and bacterial consumptionof biogenic sulfur. Seawater samples were collected regularly at two off-shore stations. Samples were collected for algal pigments and analysis of biogenic sulfur by gas chromatography. Samples were collected from several experiments to be analyzed for the production and consumption biogenic sulfur by bacteria and algae. Samples for flow cytometry, analysis of TOC and cDOM, as well as algal pigments, were also collected.
    10. December 2005-January 2006. Research technician on the R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer, Ross Sea, Antarctica. Collected samples from oceanic stations for analysis of phytoplankton pigments and proteins. Shipboard collection and analysis of biogenic sulfur compounds using gas chromatography for field samples and experiments.  Determine photosynthetic efficiency of phytoplankton cells
    11. using a fast repetition rate fluorometer.
    12. May-August 2005. Research technician on the R/V Seward Johnson, North Atlantic Ocean: Collected seawater samples for analysis of phytoplankton pigments and proteins. Shipboard collection and analysis of biogenic sulfur compounds using gas chromatography. Determined photosynthetic efficiency of phytoplankton cells using a fast repetition rate fluorometer.
    13. July-August, 2004. Research technician on the R/V Seward Johnson. Sargasso Sea, Atlantic Ocean: Collected seawater samples for future analysis of phytoplankton pigments and proteins. Shipboard collection and analysis of biogenic sulfur compounds using gas chromatography. Determined photosynthetic efficiency of phytoplankton cells using a fast repetition rate fluorometer.
    14. July 2002. Research technician on the R/V Sir Wilfred Laurier. Bering Sea: Collected seawater samples for analysis of algal pigments, protein, and biogenic sulfur.



    Publications

    Refereed

    Vandermeulen, R. A., A. Mannino, A. Neeley, J. Werdell, and R. Arnone. 2017. "Determining the optimal spectral sampling frequency and uncertainty thresholds for hyperspectral remote sensing of ocean color." Optics Express, 25 (16): A785 [10.1364/oe.25.00a785]

    Chaves, J. E., J. Werdell, C. W. Proctor, et al. A. R. Neeley, S. A. Freeman, C. S. Thomas, and S. B. Hooker. 2015. "Assessment of ocean color data records from MODIS-Aqua in the western Arctic Ocean." Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 118 (Part A): 32-43 [10.1016/j.dsr2.2015.02.011]

    Levine, N. M., D. Toole, A. R. Neeley, et al. N. Bates, S. Doney, and J. Dacey. 2015. "Revising upper-ocean sulfur dynamics near Bermuda: new lessons from 3 years of concentration and rate measurements." Environmental Chemistry, [10.1071/EN15045]

    Neeley, A. R., S. A. Freeman, and L. A. Harris. 2015. "Multi-method approach to quantify uncertainties in the measurements of light absorption by particles." Optics Express, 23 (24): 31043 [10.1364/oe.23.031043]

    Hermann, M., R. G. Najjar, A. R. Neeley, et al. M. Vila-Costa, J. W. Dacey, G. DiTullio, D. J. Kieber, R. P. Kiene, P. A. Matrai, R. Simó, and M. Vernet. 2012. "Diagnostic modeling of dimethylsulfide production in coastal water west of the Antarctic Peninsula." Continental Shelf Research, 32: 96–109 [10.1016/j.csr.2011.10.017]

    Neeley, A. R., C. S. Thomas, S. B. Hooker, and L. Van Heukelem. 2011. "LC instrumentation update." Phytoplankton Pigments: Characterization, Chemotaxonomy, and Applications in Oceanography, New York: Cambridge University Press, 890, ISBN: 978-1-107-00066-7.

    Lee, P. A., J. R. Rudisill, A. R. Neeley, et al. J. M. Maucher, D. A. Hutchins, Y. Feng, C. E. Hare, K. Leblanc, J. M. Rose, S. W. Wilhem, J. M. Rowe, and G. R. DiTullio. 2009. "Effects of increased pCO2 and temperature on the North Atlantic spring bloom. III. Dimethylsulfoniopropionate ." Marine Ecology Progress Series, 388: 41-49 [10.3354/meps08135]

    LeBlanc, K., C. E. Hare, Y. Feng, et al. G. Berg, G. DiTullio, A. R. Neeley, I. Bennter, C. Sprengel, A. Beck, S. Sanudo-Wilhelmy, U. Passow, K. Klinck, J. Rowe, S. Wilhelm, C. Brown, and D. Hutchins. 2009. "Distribution of calcifying and silicifying phytoplankton in relation to environmental and biogeochemical parameters during the late stages of the 2005 North East Atlantic Spring Bloom." Biogeosciences, 6: 2155-2179 [10.5194/bg-6-2155-2009]

    Non-Refereed

    Lance, V., M. Ondrusek, R. Arnone, et al. S. Ahmed, J. Cannizzaro, A. Chekalyuk, A. El-Habashi, D. Engish, R. Foster, S. Freeman, A. Gilerson, J. Goes, W. Goode, H. Gomes, A. Ibrahim, C. Johnson, C. Kovach, S. Ladner, Z. Lee, J. Lin, K. McKee, A. Neeley, E. Stengel, M. Talone, R. Vandermeulen, K. Voss, W. Jianwei, G. Zibordi, and M. Wang. 2015. "NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 146 – Report for dedicated JPSS VIIRS ocean color calibration/validation cruise." NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 146 [10.7289/V52B8W0Z]

    Chaves Cedeno, J. E., P. J. Werdell, C. W. Proctor, et al. A. R. Neeley, S. A. Freeman, C. S. Thomas, and S. B. Hooker. 2014. "Assessment of ocean color data records from MODIS-Aqua in the western Arctic Ocean." Proc. Ocean Optics XXII

    Hooker, S. B., L. Clementson, C. S. Thomas, et al. L. Schluter, M. Allerup, J. Ras, H. Claustre, C. Normandeau, J. Cullen, M. Kienast, W. Kozlowski, M. Vernet, S. Chakraborty, S. Lohrenz, M. Tuel, D. Redalje, P. Cartaxana, C. R. Mendes, V. Brotas, S. G. Matondkar, S. G. Parab, A. R. Neeley, and E. S. Egeland. 2012. "The Fifth SeaWiFS HPLC Analysis Round-Robin Experiment (SeaHARRE-5)." NASA Technical Memo. 2012-217503 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, 98.

    Arellano, A., N. Briggs, F. Cao, et al. H. Chen, A. Dave, C. Goyens, F. Henderikx-Freitas, C. Kearney, M. Kheireddine, S. Mishra, A. Neeley, M. Omand, L. Powers, A. Reisinger, S. Rivero, B. Russel, B. Seegers, and R. A. Vandermeulen. 2011. "Portfolio of Measurement, Processing, and Analysis Techniques for Optical Oceanography Data." U. Maine Ocean Optics Course 2011 Report

    Neeley, A. R., C. S. Thomas, S. B. Hooker, and L. Van Heukelem. 2011. "HPLC instrument performance metrics and validation." Phytoplankton Pigments Characterization, Chemotaxonomy and Applications in Oceanography 636-649, ISBN: 978-1-107-00066-7.

    Selected Public Outreach

    Girl Power STEM Expo 2013 - 2014
    http://www.jhuapl.edu/newscenter/pressreleases/2013/130222.asp Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU APL) hosts an annual “Girl Power” Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) expo, a free event that encourages and informs young girls from the ages of middle school and high school who are interested in STEM careers. The event is co-sponsored by APL, the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, and the Maryland Space Business Roundtable. The young would-be scientists were given an opportunity to speak with professional women in STEM careers, in fields including, but not limited to, computer science, electrical engineering, aerospace and information technology. Demonstrators at the event hailed from such prestigious government agencies as NASA and the NSA. TThe events include features such as a larger number of hands-on activities (e.g. building a hovercraft), a workshop on how to apply for college, and 30-minute workshops on cyber situational awareness and women in aerospace.

    Brief Bio

    I am a biological oceanographer at NASA Goddard, a member of the Field Support Group which falls under the umbrella of the Ocean Ecology Laboratory (OEL; Code 616). One goal of the FSG is to collect sets of in situ optical and biogeochemical data for Earth science climate data records and other supporting data records used for ocean color satellite vicarious calibration, data product validation, and bio-optical algorithm development. To this end, the field support group participates in large scale field campaigns, where in situ instruments are deployed to measure the optical properties of the ocean water column as well as collect biogeochemical samples. I have vast experience participating in global oceanographic field campaigns, traveling to such areas as the Chukchi Sea, the Southern Ocean and North Atlantic.

    Publications

    Refereed

    Vandermeulen, R. A., A. Mannino, A. Neeley, J. Werdell, and R. Arnone. 2017. "Determining the optimal spectral sampling frequency and uncertainty thresholds for hyperspectral remote sensing of ocean color." Optics Express 25 (16): A785 [10.1364/oe.25.00a785]

    Chaves, J. E., J. Werdell, C. W. Proctor, et al. A. R. Neeley, S. A. Freeman, C. S. Thomas, and S. B. Hooker. 2015. "Assessment of ocean color data records from MODIS-Aqua in the western Arctic Ocean." Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 118 (Part A): 32-43 [10.1016/j.dsr2.2015.02.011]

    Levine, N. M., D. Toole, A. R. Neeley, et al. N. Bates, S. Doney, and J. Dacey. 2015. "Revising upper-ocean sulfur dynamics near Bermuda: new lessons from 3 years of concentration and rate measurements." Environmental Chemistry [10.1071/EN15045]

    Neeley, A. R., S. A. Freeman, and L. A. Harris. 2015. "Multi-method approach to quantify uncertainties in the measurements of light absorption by particles." Optics Express 23 (24): 31043 [10.1364/oe.23.031043]

    Hermann, M., R. G. Najjar, A. R. Neeley, et al. M. Vila-Costa, J. W. Dacey, G. DiTullio, D. J. Kieber, R. P. Kiene, P. A. Matrai, R. Simó, and M. Vernet. 2012. "Diagnostic modeling of dimethylsulfide production in coastal water west of the Antarctic Peninsula." Continental Shelf Research 32 96–109 [10.1016/j.csr.2011.10.017]

    Neeley, A. R., C. S. Thomas, S. B. Hooker, and L. Van Heukelem. 2011. "LC instrumentation update." Phytoplankton Pigments: Characterization, Chemotaxonomy, and Applications in Oceanography 890

    Lee, P. A., J. R. Rudisill, A. R. Neeley, et al. J. M. Maucher, D. A. Hutchins, Y. Feng, C. E. Hare, K. Leblanc, J. M. Rose, S. W. Wilhem, J. M. Rowe, and G. R. DiTullio. 2009. "Effects of increased pCO2 and temperature on the North Atlantic spring bloom. III. Dimethylsulfoniopropionate ." Marine Ecology Progress Series 388 41-49 [10.3354/meps08135]

    LeBlanc, K., C. E. Hare, Y. Feng, et al. G. Berg, G. DiTullio, A. R. Neeley, I. Bennter, C. Sprengel, A. Beck, S. Sanudo-Wilhelmy, U. Passow, K. Klinck, J. Rowe, S. Wilhelm, C. Brown, and D. Hutchins. 2009. "Distribution of calcifying and silicifying phytoplankton in relation to environmental and biogeochemical parameters during the late stages of the 2005 North East Atlantic Spring Bloom." Biogeosciences 6 2155-2179 [10.5194/bg-6-2155-2009]

    Non-Refereed

    Lance, V., M. Ondrusek, R. Arnone, et al. S. Ahmed, J. Cannizzaro, A. Chekalyuk, A. El-Habashi, D. Engish, R. Foster, S. Freeman, A. Gilerson, J. Goes, W. Goode, H. Gomes, A. Ibrahim, C. Johnson, C. Kovach, S. Ladner, Z. Lee, J. Lin, K. McKee, A. Neeley, E. Stengel, M. Talone, R. Vandermeulen, K. Voss, W. Jianwei, G. Zibordi, and M. Wang. 2015. "NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 146 – Report for dedicated JPSS VIIRS ocean color calibration/validation cruise." NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 146 [10.7289/V52B8W0Z]

    Chaves Cedeno, J. E., P. J. Werdell, C. W. Proctor, et al. A. R. Neeley, S. A. Freeman, C. S. Thomas, and S. B. Hooker. 2014. "Assessment of ocean color data records from MODIS-Aqua in the western Arctic Ocean." Proc. Ocean Optics XXII

    Hooker, S. B., L. Clementson, C. S. Thomas, et al. L. Schluter, M. Allerup, J. Ras, H. Claustre, C. Normandeau, J. Cullen, M. Kienast, W. Kozlowski, M. Vernet, S. Chakraborty, S. Lohrenz, M. Tuel, D. Redalje, P. Cartaxana, C. R. Mendes, V. Brotas, S. G. Matondkar, S. G. Parab, A. R. Neeley, and E. S. Egeland. 2012. "The Fifth SeaWiFS HPLC Analysis Round-Robin Experiment (SeaHARRE-5)." NASA Technical Memo. 2012-217503 98

    Arellano, A., N. Briggs, F. Cao, et al. H. Chen, A. Dave, C. Goyens, F. Henderikx-Freitas, C. Kearney, M. Kheireddine, S. Mishra, A. Neeley, M. Omand, L. Powers, A. Reisinger, S. Rivero, B. Russel, B. Seegers, and R. A. Vandermeulen. 2011. "Portfolio of Measurement, Processing, and Analysis Techniques for Optical Oceanography Data." U. Maine Ocean Optics Course 2011 Report

    Neeley, A. R., C. S. Thomas, S. B. Hooker, and L. Van Heukelem. 2011. "HPLC instrument performance metrics and validation." Phytoplankton Pigments Characterization, Chemotaxonomy and Applications in Oceanography 636-649

                                                                                                                                                                                            
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    • Last Updated: 08/19/2019