Education

2016 Eckerd College, M.S. Marine Science
2021 Auburn University, Ph.D. Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences

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Courses Taught

Environmental Science
Introduction to Environmental Studies 1
Natural Resources Management

Career Specialties

As an aquatic ecologist, Edna Fernández-Figueroa is interested in utilizing unoccupied aerial systems (or drones) and spatial analysis tools for monitoring the distribution and abundance of aquatic primary producers, such as potentially harmful phytoplankton, and ecologically important mangroves and seagrasses. She often uses drones to estimate the effect of harmful phytoplankton blooms (commonly known as red tide in Tampa Bay) on fish mortalities and to determine the efficacy of habitat restoration projects.

Professional and Community Activities

Fernández-Figueroa earned her Ph.D. in Alan Wilson’s Limnology Lab at Auburn University in 2021 where she monitored cyanobacterial toxins in drinking water utilities, tested the use of unoccupied aerial systems (drones) for estimating cyanobacterial abundance, and investigated the effects of multiple stressors on zooplankton fitness. If you would like to learn more about these projects, click each one to be linked to the publications.  

Fernández-Figueroa is an active member of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, which allows her to explore her interests in both freshwater and marine ecology. She is also passionate about scientific communication, ecosystem restoration, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and enjoys developing and leading outreach activities.

Honors and Awards

Dean's Postdoctoral Research Award, Auburn University (2023)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP, 2017-2021)

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