My research interests in coastal science center on the production of cytotoxic compounds by harmful algal blooms. These blooms occur off the coast of Rhode Island and the toxic agents produced by these organisms can affect human health through the ingestion of contaminated drinking water and the consumption of contaminated seafood. I am interested in performing studies examining domoic acid production by the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia. Diatoms in this genus produce the potent neurotoxin domoic acid which bioaccumulates in shellfish and schooling fish consumed by humans and marine mammals. Domoic acid intoxication is of great concern to human and environmental health. My research uses mass spectrometry, specifically MS/MS, to identify these toxins and identify toxin families. My work will aim to understand the abiotic and biotic environmental parameters that influence toxin production and toxin composition.