I am a biological oceanographer at NASA Goddard and a member of the Field Support Group (FSG), part of the Ocean Ecology Laboratory (OEL; Code 616). 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 measurments and analysis. My interests also include phytoplankton ecology and diversity throughout the global ocean and the detection of phytoplankton types using satellite ocean color data. I am also a PhD candidate at the University of Marland, College Park where my dissertation is focused upon phytoplankton ecology and optical water types in the Chukchi Sea.
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
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.
Phytoplankton group ecology, taxonomy and diversity
Development and validation of phytoplankton group models and algorothims
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 ecology and optical water types, Chukchi Sea
Understanding the changes of SST and sea ice extent on the optics and ecosystem of the Chukchi Sea.
Data quality and protocol development
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.
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
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.
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]
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]
Levine, N. M., D. Toole, A. R. Neeley, et al. 2015. "Revising upper-ocean sulfur dynamics near Bermuda: new lessons from 3 years of concentration and rate measurements."
Environmental Chemistry,
[10.1071/EN15045]
Chaves, J. E., J. Werdell, C. W. Proctor, et al. 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]
Hermann, M., R. G. Najjar, A. R. Neeley, et al. 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.
LeBlanc, K., C. E. Hare, Y. Feng, et al. 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]
Lee, P. A., J. R. Rudisill, A. R. Neeley, et al. 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]
Non-Refereed
Lance, V., M. Ondrusek, R. Arnone, et al. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Invited
When Biology and Optics Collide: What we can learn from Microbial Culture Experiments
8
/
9
/
2019
SED Director's seminar
When biology and optics collide: What can we learn from culture experiments
6
/
5
/
2019
EuroMarine hyperspectral satellite observation foresight workshop, Oostend, Belgium
In situ measurements for the cal/val of satellite products
10
/
5
/
2017
Measuring phytoplankton during the Sea2Space field campaign
5
/
2017
Code 610 Colloquium, NASA Goddard
Other
Towards improved satellite algorithm validation tools: A revised pigment-based approach for discriminating phytoplankton types
10
/
2018
Poster, Ocean Optics, Dubrovnik Croatia
Investigation of the relationships between phytoplankton community structure and environmental parameters in the Chukchi Sea
6
/
2017
Poster, Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry Summer Workshop, Woods Hole, MA
Approaches to evaluate bio-optical algorithms for determining Phytoplankton Functional Types
2
/
2016
Talk, Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, LA
Evaluation of Bio-optical models for discriminating phytoplankton functional types in the Chukchi Sea
6
/
2015
Poster, Coastal and Estuarine Federation Meeting, Portland, OR
Evaluation of Bio-optical models for discriminating phytoplankton functional types in the Chukchi Sea
6
/
2015
Poster, International Ocean Color Science Meeting, San Francisco, CA
A report from a community-lead spectral absorption workshop to update the NASA Inherent Optical Properties Protocol for measuring particle absorption
6
/
2015
Poster, International Ocean Color Science Meeting, San Francisco, CA
A Pithy tale of spectral absorption uncertainty
2014
Poster, Ocean Optics Meeting XXII, Portland, Maine
Ocean optics course 2011: Instrument calibration to satellite validation
2012
A generation of viable data records from satellite-borne ocean color instruments requires complementary field data for the calibration and validation of the instruments and their data products. Production of decade-long “climate data records” from these remotely-sensed time-series requires very high quality measurements of bio-optical and biogeochemical parameters collected following well-vetted calibration, deployment, and data processing protocols. To this end, NASA recently funded a graduate-level course titled “Calibration and Validation for Ocean Color Remote Sensing.” Students were immersed in measurement theory and instrument concepts in the classroom, and they applied laboratory theory to instrument operation and data collection in the field. Comprehensive laboratory sessions combined application of the theory and hands-on experience with the instruments. The course impressed upon the students the importance of quality data collection, data processing, applying the appropriate corrections to the data, accounting for uncertainties, and quality control. This poster describes the fundamental step-by-step process that should be implemented from data collection to data submission, using instruments operated during the course as examples, and demonstrates that this program is essential to the next generation of bio-optical oceanographers.
Chromatographic method development, calibration and validation: Recognizing the importance of
performance metrics when establishing a new method.
2009
The use of pigment oceanography in mapping the productivity of the world’s oceans has become increasingly important. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis allows oceanographers to identify and quantify pigments, thereby characterizing community composition of the word’s oceans. Phytoplankton are important as a major component of the food web, and can influence global chemical and CO
2 budgets through uptake of atmospheric CO
2 and the production of volatile compounds (e.g. DMS) that may escape to the atmosphere and influence cloud formation. Discreet quantification of Chlorophyll a (a major light-harvesting pigment) from HPLC analysis offers an overall estimate of in situ primary productivity; these measurements may be used to validate remote sensing measurements of ocean color. Identification and quantification of marine pigments provide scientists with information required to understand current community structure and dynamics in various regions of the world’s oceans. Understanding global variations in global community structure in response to climate change will allow for a better understanding of current and future global CO
2 budgets.
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.
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
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]
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]
Levine, N. M., D. Toole, A. R. Neeley, et al. 2015. "Revising upper-ocean sulfur dynamics near Bermuda: new lessons from 3 years of concentration and rate measurements."
Environmental Chemistry
[10.1071/EN15045]
Chaves, J. E., J. Werdell, C. W. Proctor, et al. 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]
Hermann, M., R. G. Najjar, A. R. Neeley, et al. 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
LeBlanc, K., C. E. Hare, Y. Feng, et al. 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]
Lee, P. A., J. R. Rudisill, A. R. Neeley, et al. 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]
Non-Refereed
Lance, V., M. Ondrusek, R. Arnone, et al. 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. 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. 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. 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
