Research Interests:

My research is on coastal ecosystems ecology with emphasis on water quality, nutrient biogeochemistry, and microbial ecology. More specifically, I am interested in the patterns and processes of biologically active nutrients as mediated by microbial communities, physical transformations, and hydrological transport with respect to how these factors regulate system structure and function and system interactions. The majority of my work has been on tropical ecosystems, with significant field work conducted in salt marsh, mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef systems. I also have interest in the development of tools for improving environmental management practices and the application of ecosystem-based management strategies, as well as the methods and applications of ecosystem service valuations.

Education:

M.S., (2005), Biology, Florida International University, Miami, FL.

Co-advisors:  Joseph N. Boyer and Daniel L. Childers

Thesis:  Volume Transport and Nutrient Mass Flux between Florida Bay and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

B.S., (2001), Marine Science/Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.

Employment Experience:

Fall 2005-present                  Research Associate, SERC, Florida International University.

Feb - Mar 2006                      Technician, P16N CLIVAR Repeat Hydrography Cruise (Millero Group, RSMAS).

Fall 2003-Fall 2005                Research Assistant, SERC, Florida International University.

Fall 2001-Fall 2003                Lab Manager, Microbial Ecology Lab, SERC, Florida International University.

Presentations and Publications:

Reviewed Publications:

1.        Boyer, Joseph N., Susan K. Dailey, Patrick J. Gibson, Matthew T. Rogers, Danielle-Mir Gonzalez. 2006. The Role of DOM Bioavailability in Promoting Cyanobacterial Blooms in Florida Bay: Competition Between Bacteria and Phytoplankton.  Hydrobiologia (In Press).

Technical Reports:

1.        Boyer, Joseph N., and Patrick J. Gibson. 2005. Nutrient Mass Flux between Florida Bay and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Technical Report # NA16OP2551.

2.        Boyer, Joseph N., Susan K. Dailey, Patrick J. Gibson, Matthew T. Rogers, Danielle-Mir Gonzalez. 2004. The Importance of Organic Phosphorus in Promoting Cyanobacterial Blooms in Florida Bay. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Technical Report # NA06OP0517.

Oral Presentations:

1.        Gibson, P. J., J. N. Boyer, N. P. Smith.  Nutrient Mass Flux through the Florida Keys Tidal Channels.  18th Biennial Conference of the Estuarine Research Federation, Norfolk, Virginia, October 2005.

2.        Gibson, P. J., J. N. Boyer, N. P. Smith.  Nutrient Export from Florida Bay to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.  Florida Bay and Adjacent Marine Ecosystems Science Conference.  Hawks Cay, Florida. December 2005.

Poster Presentations:

1.        Gibson P. J., Dailey, S. K., Boyer, J. N. Bloom in a Bottle: Experimental Derivation of the Mechanism for the Onset and Persistence of Phytoplankton Blooms in Florida Bay.  Joint Conference on the Science and Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem. Palm Harbor, FL. April. 2003.

2.        Gibson P. J., Dailey, S. K., Boyer, J. N. Does DOM Have a Role in Promoting Cyanobacterial Blooms in Florida Bay, USA? 17th Biennial Conference of the Estuarine Research Federation, Seattle, Washington, September 2003.

3.        Gibson P. J., Boyer J. N.  Nutrient Mass Flux through the Florida Keys Tidal Channels. Florida Coastal Everglades LTER All Scientist Meeting. Coral Gables, FL.  March 2004.

4.        Gibson P. J., Boyer J. N., Smith N. P. Nutrient Mass Flux through Long Key Channel, Florida Bay. ESA/INTECOL. Montreal, Quebec. August 2005.

Papers In Prep:

1.     Gibson, P. J., J. N. Boyer and N. P. Smith.  Nutrient Export from Florida Bay to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

2.     Gibson, P. J., N. P. Smith, and J. N. Boyer.  Modeling Water Transport and Nutrient Flux through Long Key Channel, Florida.

3.     Gibson, P. J., J. Wozniak, and D. M. Iwaniec.  Evaluation of Ecosystem Processes to Analyze Landscape Management Boundaries.

4.     Kahn, J., S. Farber, P. Gibson, C. Hopkinson, M. Wilson A. Troy and D. Childers.  Economic Valuation of Ecological Services: Theory and Method.

5.     Pincetl, S., J. M. Grove, S. Morlock, P. Warren, D. Childers, P. Gibson, C. Hopkinson. Implementing Ecosystem Services-based Management: Examples from the LTER network.

6.     Hopkinson C., P. Warren, S. Farber, R. Costanza, D. Iwaniec, P. Gibson. Measuring Ecosystem Services.

Invited Workshops:

1.     National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, “Knowledge and capacity-building to support ecosystem-based management for sustainable coastal-marine systems.” Santa Barbara, CA. 2004-2005.

2.     National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, “Understanding, valuing, and managing dynamic ecosystem services under stress: Synthesizing across the LTER Network.” Santa Barbara, CA. 2005.

Grants Awarded:

1.     NOAA/COP (2006-2007) – Volume Transport and Nutrient Loading to Florida Bay through the Flamingo Channel.  $248,000.  J. N. Boyer, P. J. Gibson, N. P. Smith.

2.     NCEAS (2005) – Quantifying Success in Environmental Management using Ecosystem Services Valuation Techniques – A Joint Session between the Ecosystem-based Management and the LTER Ecosystem Services NCEAS Working Groups. June 2005. $6,080.  P. J. Gibson.

Vocational Skills and Qualifications:

Environmental Instrumentation: Familiarity with YSI, HydroLab, Orion, SonTek, LiCor, ISCO, SeaBird sensors and samplers.

Microbiology Lab Skills: Sterile technique, media preparation, culturing, autotrophic and heterotrophic

productivity analyses, microcosm experiments.

Microscopy: bright field, epifluorescent (DAPI, SYBR Green, Acridine Orange).

Fluorometry: Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PhytoPAM, PhytoPAM EDF), pigment assays, enzyme assays, UV/Vis spectrometry, synchronous fluorescence.

Chromatography: GC, HPLC, rapid flow auto-analyzer.

Radioactive Isotope Safety Certification (FIU).

Software: Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, JMP, Stella, Photoshop and others.

SCUBA Certifications: AAUS Scientific Diver, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

Instrument development and construction experience.

Significant boat handling and maintenance skills.

Activities:

FCE LTER Graduate Student Association, Treasurer, 2003-2005.

Miami Area Society of Homebrewers, President 2005, Vice President 2004.

Shake-A-Leg Miami, Volunteer – Able Body Crew, 2004.

Treemendous Miami, Volunteer, 2004-2005.

References:

Joseph N. Boyer                   Associate Director and Scientist, SERC, FIU             boyerj@fiu.edu

Daniel L. Childers Professor, Dept. of Biology, FIU; Lead PI, FCE LTER                    childers@fiu.edu

Ned P. Smith                         PI, Physical Oceanography, HBOI                                      nsmith@hboi.edu

Other references available upon request.