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Janice Brahney janice.brahney@usu.edu
As an environmental biogeochemist, I work at the intersection of the ecological and geological sciences. I combine field, analytical laboratory, and quantitative modeling methods to establish fluxes, transformations, and the fate of elements and compounds in the environment. These techniques are a powerful means to determine the complex drivers of environmental change, quantify the ecological impacts of land use, and determine the mechanisms underpinning ecosystem processes. The three main themes in my research are 1) vectors of material transport to aquatic ecosystems, 2) climate change effects in mountain environments, and 3) the cause, mitigation, and effect of water quality impairment. I am driven to conduct research that tests fundamental theories but also has societal relevance and can be translated into management action. Google Scholar Teaching: Limnology WATS 4500/6500 Biogeochemistry WATS 4110/6110 Aquatic Practicum WATS 4510 |
Postdoctoral Scholars
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Juanma Gonzalez-Olalla
Juanma is a post doctoral researcher from Granada, Spain. Juanma graduated with a B.S. degree in Environmental Sciences and Master in Techniques and Sciences of water quality from the University of Granada. His interest in the important role of the microbial world in aquatic ecosystems led him to study how phytoplankton, and more concretely mixoplankton, is affected by the global change from an ecological and physiological perspective. Thus, he obtained his PhD in 2019 by the University of Granada (Spain) and Polytechnic University of Marche (Italy). Currently, he studies how increasing dust deposition can affect the metabolism and composition of primary producers, working with both lake samples and phytoplankton cultures, and trying to incorporate models that predict future responses. Out of the lab, Juanma loves to practice mountain biking and enjoy nature. |
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Jeff Nielson
Jeff received a PhD in Environmental Science from Washington State University, an MS in Civil Engineering from University of Hawaii, and a BS in Civil Engineering from Utah State University. He is interested in research with high societal importance, seeking solutions to pressing issues, such as climate and land-use impacts, hazard risks, ecosystem restoration, or pollution. He specializes in applying mathematics, statistics, and models, to evaluate processes in natural and manufactured systems. Previously, he worked on projects to increase the sediment trapping efficiency of a dam in west Maui, improve the flow distribution and performance of water treatment equipment, track eDNA transport in small ponds, and understand complex influences of internal waves and turbulence on mixing in stratified waters. Currently, he is exploring how nutrients from dust deposition are moved through landscapes, and identifying drivers responsible for nutrient increases in aquatic systems. Website: https://jnielson.herokuapp.com |
Graduate Students
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Molly Blakowski
Molly is a PhD student from Detroit, Michigan. She received her MS in Earth and Environmental Science from the University of Michigan in 2015, where her research was focused on using geochemical fingerprinting techniques to trace dust from source to sink in the McMurdo Sound sector of Antarctica and in several regions throughout the American West. She spent time working in the private sector and as a college instructor before joining the Brahney lab in 2019. Her project seeks to identify the spatial and temporal variability in dust composition, generation, and transport from the Great Salt Lake playa and assess the impact of these dusts on human health and agriculture. In addition to collecting dust, Molly enjoys hiking, reading, and being around water. |
Audree Provard
Audree graduated with a BS in Fisheries and Aquatic Science from Utah State University in 2019. She decided on this field of study because the more she learned about aquatic ecology, the more interested she became. She has enjoyed being involved in many aspects of the EBPL lab first as a research technician and now as a graduate student. She has worked on a paleolimnology project on Utah Lake, analyzed phytoplankton data from the Rio Grande river, had a major role in EBPL chemical and lab organization, and been a teacher's assistant for various classes Janice teaches. She has gained a love for teaching and an appreciation for proper lab techniques. Audree recently welcomed a new member of the family - baby Ren.
Audree graduated with a BS in Fisheries and Aquatic Science from Utah State University in 2019. She decided on this field of study because the more she learned about aquatic ecology, the more interested she became. She has enjoyed being involved in many aspects of the EBPL lab first as a research technician and now as a graduate student. She has worked on a paleolimnology project on Utah Lake, analyzed phytoplankton data from the Rio Grande river, had a major role in EBPL chemical and lab organization, and been a teacher's assistant for various classes Janice teaches. She has gained a love for teaching and an appreciation for proper lab techniques. Audree recently welcomed a new member of the family - baby Ren.
Undergraduate Students
Technicians
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Eleni Robinson
Eleni is from Southern Illinois where she grew up exploring all the ecosystems that Little Egypt had to offer. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2019 with B.S. in Marine Biology B.S. Micro/Cell/Molecular/Biotechnology and Minor in Chemistry. Afterwards, Eleni spent a year learning analytical chemistry while working in the medical cannabis industry. Wanting to pursue a more broad environmental approach to analytical chemistry, Eleni completed her M.S in Zoology with a focus in aquatic toxicology at SIU in 2023. Looking to further add to their experience, the world of biogeochemistry and paleolimnology presented an opportunity for Eleni to continue to learn. In their freetime, Eleni is an avid hiker, biker, swimmer, artist and new skiier. |
