Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Grant Program
Harmful Algal Bloom Grant Program funds three proposals
FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s newly established Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Grant Program is excited to announce the funding of three proposals that address red tide communications and advancing technologies for real time detection of Karenia brevis. The HAB Grant Program supports projects that address priority recommendations of the HAB Task Force and plans to provide competitive grant opportunities annually.
2020-2021 Funded Projects
Development of a red tide communications plan for Florida
Principal Investigator: Lisa Krimsky, Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida
Co-Principal Investigators: Elizabeth Staugler, Dr. Nancy Montes, Florida Sea Grant, UF; Dr. Chris Simoniello, Texas A&M University
Summary: The goal of the proposed project is to advance red tide communications by aligning practitioner needs with end-user wants by developing a better social science understanding of preferred red tide information, formats and delivery modes.
Award: $92,471, 1 year
An in situ holographic imaging system for measuring distributions of Karenia brevis
Principal Investigator: Dr. Aditya Nayak, Florida Atlantic University
Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Timothy Moore, Dr. Malcolm McFarland, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, FAU; Dr. Lisa Nyman, FAU; Chad Lembke, University of South Florida; Jason Law, USF
Summary: The proposed project will further develop a novel imaging technology system to improve real-time detection of Karenia brevis in water. The technology is expected to examine large bodies of water at faster rates and greater range of detection than current technologies, significantly enhancing current red tide monitoring efforts in western Florida.
Award: $234,433, 1 year
Field deployable measurement of aerosolized brevetoxins from Karenia brevis using colorimetric immunoassay
Principal Investigator: Dr. Myoseon Jang, University of Florida
Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Dail Laughinghouse, University of Florida
Contractor Lead: Dr. Jennifer R McAll, Seatox Research
Summary: In this project, a colorimetric immunoassay will be developed for measurement of brevetoxins in aerosolized Karenia brevis cultures. It will lay the foundation for future development of a field-deployable, competitive-type colorimetric enzyme immunoassay for monitoring of aerosolized brevetoxin B during K. brevis blooms.
Award: $200,000, 1 year