I recently assumed a new role as the Mission Applications Lead for ICESat-2. In this role, I engage with current and future applied users and stakeholders, organize workshops and other events to foster ICESat-2 science and applications engagement and collaboration and represent ICESat-2 applications in the community. I am a biological oceanographer by training at NASA Goddard and was a member of the Field Support Group (FSG), part of the Ocean Ecology Laboratory (OEL; Code 616) for 15 years. The FSG collects 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. My expertise is in IOP measurements and data analysis. My interests also include phytoplankton ecology and diversity throughout the global ocean and modeling phytoplankton community composition using satellite ocean color data. I have also led multiple efforts to standardize approaches for biogeochemical measurements and analysis. I have extensive experience in public outreach, teaching the public about satellite ocean color. I completed my PhD at the University of Maryland, College Park where my dissertation was focused upon phytoplankton ecology and optical water types in the Chukchi Sea.
Aimee Renee Neeley
(Senior Research Scientist)
| Email: | aimee.neeley@nasa.gov |
| Phone: | 301.614.5778 |
| Org Code: | 616 |
| Address: |
NASA/GSFC Mail Code 616.1 Greenbelt, MD 20771 |
| Employer: | SCIENCE SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS INC |
Brief Bio
Current Projects
Field data measurement and analysis
Earth
Collect, measure and analyze optical and phytoplankton taxonomy samples collected during aquatic field campaigns.
Lead a workshop to update the NASA protocol for absorption
Remote Sensing
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. I addressed the details of the workshop in a poster at the Ocean Optics meeting thereby allowing for community comment, suggestions and, most importantly, community participation.
PhD candidacy and dissertation
Remote Sensing
Evaluation of phytoplankton ecology and optical water types in the Chukchi Sea.
Response of Phytoplankton Community Composition and Biomass to Climate: Development of Optical and Pigment Fingerprint Libraries to evaluate Phytoplankton Functional Type (PFT) estimates from Satellite Products
Remote Sensing
A bio-optical laboratory study to develop a more extensive phytoplankton spectral library that will be coupled with satellite radiance products and existing time-series datasets of phytoplankton community composition (PCC) to improve our ability to observe and predict changes in PCC in response to climate change and the consequent impacts on the biological carbon pump. During the project, more than ten different measurements of various optical properties were measured from 51 strains of globally-relevant phytoplankton species and groups. The experiments required multiple months of onsite presence at the Bigelow laboratory. The study has resulted in one publication so far with additional manuscripts in progress.
Optical data quality evaluation
Remote Sensing
Quality evaluation of absorption and HPLC pigment data that are submitted to NASA's SseaBASS data repository.
Data Standards and Practices for Taxon-Resolved Phytoplankton Observations
Earth
Develop a set of recommended data standards and practices for phytoplankton taxonomic data, which currently do not exist, maximizing the potential for these data to contribute to satellite phytoplankton group algorithm development and validation, to advance ocean ecosystem models, and to enable more informed assessments and predictions of climate impacts on ocean biogeochemistry. identify standards and practices that are flexible enough to be applied not only to SeaBASS but also to any public archive.
Phytoplankton community composition model validation
Remote Sensing
I am responsible for using phytoplankton pigments and other measurements of phytoplankton, including microscopy, imaging-in-flow and flow cytometry, to assist in the validation phytoplankton community composition algorithms on a regional scale. These algorithms are used to discern phytoplankton community structure using in situ and ocean color derived products.
ICESat-2 Mission Application Lead
Remote Sensing
Positions/Employment
Lead Research Scientist/Biological Oceanographer
Science Systems and Applications Inc - Goddard Space Flight Center Building 22, C197
December 2008 - Present
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 in community-driven protocol development workshops. Other duties include participation in and organization for research cruises. My responsibilities include optical property phytoplankton taxonomy measurements and analysis. I also maintain live phytoplankton cultures.
Research Technician
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution - Bermuda
June 2007 - November 2008
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.
Research Assistant
College of Charleston - Charleston, SC
May 2005 - June 2007
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.
Mission Applications Lead for ICESat-2
Science Systems and Applications, Inc. - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
December 2023 - Present
Mission Applications Lead for ICESat-2
Science Systems and Applications, Inc. - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
December 2023 - Present
Research Interests
Phytoplankton group ecology, taxonomy and diversity
Earth Science: Remote SensingDevelopment and validation of phytoplankton group models and algorothims
Phytoplankton absorption
Earth Science: Remote SensingCollecting 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 ecology and optical water types, Chukchi Sea
Earth Science: Remote SensingUnderstanding the changes of SST and sea ice extent on the optics and ecosystem of the Chukchi Sea.
Data quality and protocol development
Earth Science: Remote SensingEducation
Ph.D. Biological Oceanography, University of Maryland, MD. May 2020.
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
Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation
2018 - Present
American Meteorological Society
2023 - Present
Special Experience
FIELD WORK EXPERIENCE
- January 26 - February 17, 2017: Research Scientist on the R/V Falkor. Filtered seawater for various biogeochemical parameters collected phytoplankton taxonomy data.
- August 7 - August 16, 2016: Research Scientist on the R/V Sharp. Filtered seawater for various biogeochemical parameters collected phytoplankton taxonomy data.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 using a fast repetition rate fluorometer.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
2024. "Phytoplankton composition from sPACE: Requirements, opportunities, and challenges." Remote Sensing of Environment 302 (1): 113964 [10.1016/j.rse.2023.113964] [Journal Article/Letter]
2023. "Ocean carbon from space: Current status and priorities for the next decade." Earth-Science Reviews 240 104386 [10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104386] [Journal Article/Letter]
2023. "Phytoplankton diversity and chemotaxonomy in contrasting North Pacific ecosystems." PeerJ 11 e14501 [10.7717/peerj.14501] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "Impact of growth phase, pigment adaptation and climate change conditions on the cellular pigment and carbon content of fifty‐one phytoplankton isolates." Journal of Phycology [10.1111/jpy.13279] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "A compilation of global bio-optical in situ data for ocean-colour satellite applications – version three." Earth System Science Data [10.5194/essd-2022-159] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "Tracing the path of carbon export in the ocean though DNA sequencing of individual sinking particles." The ISME Journal [10.1038/s41396-022-01239-2] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "The Marine Biodiversity Observation Network Plankton Workshops: Plankton Ecosystem Function, Biodiversity, and Forecasting—Research Requirements and Applications." Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin [10.1002/lob.10479] [Journal Article/Letter]
2021. "Standards and practices for reporting plankton and other particle observations from images." 38 [10.1575/1912/27377] [Report]
2020. "Assessment of holographic microscopy for quantifying marine particle size and concentration." Limnology and Oceanography: Methods lom3.10379 [10.1002/lom3.10379] [Journal Article/Letter]
2018. "Unraveling Phytoplankton Community Dynamics in the Northern Chukchi Sea Under Sea-Ice-Covered and Sea-Ice-Free Conditions." Geophysical Research Letters 45 (15): 7663-7671 [10.1029/2018gl077684] [Journal Article/Letter]
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] [Journal Article/Letter]
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] [Journal Article/Letter]
2015. "Revising upper-ocean sulfur dynamics near Bermuda: new lessons from 3 years of concentration and rate measurements." Environmental Chemistry [10.1071/EN15045] [Journal Article/Letter]
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] [Journal Article/Letter]
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] [Journal Article/Letter]
2011. "HPLC instrument performance metrics and validation." Phytoplankton Pigments: Characterization, Chemotaxonomy, and Applications in Oceanography 890 [Book]
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] [Journal Article/Letter]
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] [Journal Article/Letter]
Non-Refereed
2023. "Standards and Best Practices for Reporting Flow Cytometry Observations: a technical manual, Version 1.1." Ocean Best Practices 31 [http://dx.doi.org/10.25607/OBP-1864.2] [Other]
2015. "NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 146 – Report for dedicated JPSS VIIRS ocean color calibration/validation cruise." NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 146 [10.7289/V52B8W0Z] [Report]
2014. "Assessment of ocean color data records from MODIS-Aqua in the western Arctic Ocean." Proc. Ocean Optics XXII [Proceedings]
2012. "The Fifth SeaWiFS HPLC Analysis Round-Robin Experiment (SeaHARRE-5)." NASA Technical Memo. 2012-217503 98 [Report]
2011. "Portfolio of Measurement, Processing, and Analysis Techniques for Optical Oceanography Data." U. Maine Ocean Optics Course 2011 Report [Report]
2011. "HPLC instrument performance metrics and validation." Phytoplankton Pigments Characterization, Chemotaxonomy and Applications in Oceanography 636-649 [Article in Book]
Talks, Presentations and Posters
Invited
When Biology and Optics Collide: What we can learn from Microbial Culture Experiments
September 9, 2019
SED Director's seminar
Targeted updates to the Ocean Optics Protocols
July 2019
Poster, Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry Summer workshop
In situ optical and biogeochemical in- and above-water measurements are critical for calibration and validation of satellite ocean color radiometry data products, and for
refinement of ocean color algorithms. During the SeaWiFS era, NASA commissioned the development of a series of ocean optical measurement protocols, which have served
as international reference standards ever since, and have promoted the collection and assembly of climate quality, ocean optical datasets by the global ocean color
community. Over the past few years, NASA has sponsored several international workshops (sometimes in conjunction with IOCCG) with subject matter experts to update and
develop new community consensus field measurement protocols for ocean color sensor validation. Newly-drafted protocols are available to the international user
community on the IOCCG webpage for a period of time for public comment and access and associate editorial board peer-review, before they are accepted as international
reference standards. Finalized protocols receive a version number and digital object identifier from IODE Ocean Best Practices. The updated protocols are intended to be
“living” documents, periodically updated as methods and technologies advance.
Update: Small Working Group, Phytoplankton Taxonomy
July 2019
Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry Summer Workshop
Progress in Data Standards and Practices for Taxon-Resolved Phytoplankton Observations
Other
Identifying existing gaps in the detection of phytoplankton community composition from space
2022
The Ocean Color Instrument on NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission will have increased spectral resolution and expansion into the ultraviolet spectrum, improving estimates of ocean properties. One of the NASA’s PACE mission core objectives is to understand Earth’s Ocean ecosystem through improved estimates of phytoplankton concentration and community composition. Knowledge of community composition is essential for modeling carbon export from the surface ocean and ecological responses to climate variability. Some critical gaps exist when it comes to how we define, measure, and derive phytoplankton community composition (PCC) from ocean color. In this presentation we will discuss the following gaps. First, we must define the term PCC before we can align the data products for both algorithm development and validation. Second, less than a handful of satellite algorithms currently exist that derive any level of PCC from hyperspectral data and go beyond size class paradigm. Third, phytoplankton taxonomy data have been largely under-utilized in PCC algorithm development and validation. Advanced technologies like in-flow-imaging instruments have paved the way for the collection of higher spatial and temporal resolution of taxonomy information. When paired with bio-optical measurements, phytoplankton imagery will prove to be powerful tool for algorithm development and validation. Fourth, the availability of flow cytometry data that are necessary to quantify abundances of small phytoplankton, such as cyanobacteria and picoeukaryotes, is lacking. Lastly, no hyperspectral algorithms exist that partition PCC based on carbon estimates, which would fill a knowledge gap in the ocean biological carbon pump. Moreover, readily available standardized conversion tables to convert phytoplankton biovolume to carbon do not exist and would be necessary to support algorithm development from taxonomy data.
Satellite Ocean Color: A tool for detecting climate change
2021
I presented results from my dissertation, showing how a recently developed remote sensing tool can be used to examine signals of ecosystem change in the Chukchi Sea, beyond Chlorophyll a.
Teaching Experience
August 2022 - Present:
Adjunct Professor
Introduction to Oceanography
American University, DC
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