Karin Lemkau
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Karin L. Lemkau Corning School of Ocean Studies, Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME 04420 (207) 326-2170 [email protected] EDUCATION Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (MIT/WHOI), Boston, MA Ph.D. April 2012 Area of study: Chemical oceanography and environmental chemistry Thesis title: Comprehensive Study of a Heavy Fuel Oil Spill: Modeling and Analytical Approaches to Understanding Environmental Weathering Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT B.A. May 2004 (Class Rank: 41 of 673) Major: Chemistry Smith College, Northampton, MA 2000–2002 Area of study: Chemistry WORK EXPERIENCE Assistant Professor of Marine Science, Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME (January 2016 – present) Teach classes in marine geochemistry, introduction to marine science, chemical principles, organic chemistry Postdoctoral Scholar Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA (Feb 2013–Dec 2015). Advisor: David Valentine. Study oil slicks from natural oil seeps in the Santa Barbara basin to learn about the differential effects of evaporation and dissolution on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and unsaturated alkanes. Design and build sampling devices for collection of sediment, gas, oil and microbial samples from natural oil seeps. Perform scientific sample collection from natural gas and oil seeps using scuba (AAUS certified diver). Apply for permits to perform sampling within several national marine sanctuaries. Participated in 2011 three-week SEEPS cruise on the R/V Atlantis off the coast of southern California (see Field Experience). Postdoctoral Scholar Marine Chemistry Department, WHOI, Woods Hole, MA (August 2012–January 2013). Advisor: Christopher Reddy. Studied natural oil seeps in the Santa Barbara basin. Examined effects of evaporation, dissolution and biodegradation on petroleum polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the absence of photodegradation. Studied the Deepwater Horizon spill and examined changes in oil washed up on beaches before and after Hurricane Isaac, 2012. Ran and maintained laboratory GC-MS for PAH analysis. Led collection efforts of samples from beaches impacted by the Deepwater Horizon spill and trained students/scientists in sample collection techniques. Performed sample extractions (soxhlet, liquid-liquid). Graduate Student Marine Chemistry Department, WHOI, Woods Hole, MA (March 2008–May 2012). Advisor: Christopher Reddy. Studied the impacts of weathering on oil released from the 2007 M/V Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, CA. Examined effects of environmental processes Lemkau, p.2 including evaporation, dissolution, biodegradation and photodegradation. Used computer simulations and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) of field samples to tease apart the distinct effects of evaporation and dissolution to gain a more accurate understanding of spill toxicity. Provided a first look at the effects of environmental weathering on the high molecular weight fraction of this heavy fuel oil in the three years following the spill using ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). Participated in the 2009 two week SEEPS cruise on the R/V Atlantis off the coast of southern California (see Field Experience). Graduate Student Marine Chemistry Department, WHOI, Woods Hole, MA (June 2006–March 2008). Advisor: Elizabeth Kujawinski. Performed culture experiments to explore the metabolic flexibility of ammonia oxidizing bacteria. Tested the ability of bacteria to use various organic nitrogen substrates to meet their nitrogen needs traditionally met through oxidation of inorganic ammonia. Staff Chemist Chemical Fate and Effects program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL (Nov. 2004–April 2006) Performed red tide research focusing on toxin analysis and potential mitigation techniques. Prepared samples using liquid/liquid, solid phase, Soxhlet and sonic probe extraction techniques for a variety of sample matrices. Operated LC-MS. Some work with pesticide/PCB analysis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique for brevetoxin detection and quantification. Field work included extended research cruises. Summer Research Fellow Marine Chemistry Department, WHOI, Woods Hole, MA (Summer 2004) Assisted in research to characterize and determine the biological origin of marine colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM). Involved culture growth up to 18L under aseptic conditions, HPLC purification and NMR analysis. Research Assistant Sea Turtle Conservation and Research, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL (Summer 2003) Performed morning beach patrol to locate and mark turtle nests and night patrol to tag and collect data on adult female loggerhead turtles. Excavated nests, taught volunteers, and educated the general public. Assisted in care and feeding of hatchlings and turtles at Mote Aquarium. Research Intern National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Charleston, SC (Summer 2002) Prepared and analyzed samples of marine mammal blubber for pesticides and polychlorinated benzenes employing MS-GC, ASE, GPC techniques. STRIDE Scholar / Research Assistant Chemistry Department, Smith College (2001–2002) Assisted professor in organic synthesis research, with objective of creating Diels-Alder reaction to produce colored adduct. Volunteer Research Assistant Pacuare Turtle Reserve, Costa Rica (June 2001) Excavated nests, collected data, and assisted in relocating eggs and tagging leatherback sea turtles. STRIDE Scholar / Research Assistant Geology Department, Smith College (2000–2001) Conducted experiments on feldspar involving conversion of albite to sanidine. Calibrated laboratory furnace. Lemkau, p.3 TEACHING Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME (2016-present) Chemical Principles (CH301) for non-majors; lecture only Marine Geochemistry (OS212) for Marine Bio/Science majors; lecture and lab Introduction to Marine Science (OS101) for Marine Bio/Science majors; lecture and lab Introduction to Organic Chemistry (CH310) for Marine Bio/Science majors; lecture and lab Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2011-2012) Participant, teaching certificate program (Sept 2011–April 2012) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA (2010) Lost at sea: exploring the changing ocean (January short course), lecturer/organizer Wesleyan University (2002-2004) Organic chemistry, Teaching Assistant Organic chemistry, Tutor Smith College (2001) Computer Science, Teaching Assistant ADVISING AND MENTORING Maine Maritime Academy Senior research advisor, Sarah Markwood (undergraduate, 2017) Senior research advisor, Anastasia Wright (undergraduate, 2017) University of California, Santa Barabara Mentor, Veronika Kivenson (PhD student, 2013-2014) Research advisor, Isaac Scott (undergraduate, 2015) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sara Dorr (high school student, 2010) Abby Kernan-Schloss (undergraduate, 2009) SERVICE Maine Maritime Academy Academic Standards and Policy Committee – 2016/2017 academic year Department representative, Admissions open house events (2) –2016 Scientific Peer Review International Oil Spill Conference Environmental Science and Technology Deep Sea Research Lemkau, p.4 FUNDING AWARDS Contributor, NSF Major Research Instrumentation. NSF. 2016. Acquisition of a Gas Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer for Research and Teaching at Maine Maritime Academy. $381,585. Ocean Ventures Fund. WHOI. 2009/2010. The San Francisco Oil Spill: Toxicity and weathering of the spilled oil. $15,000. Coastal Oceans Institute. WHOI. 2010/2011. The San Francisco Oil Spill: Exploring Stability of Asphaltenes in the Environment. $1,700. ACADEMIC AWARDS Best student/postdoc poster. Gordon Research Conference – Environmental Sciences: Water 2012 Honorable mention student poster. Gordon Research Conference – Environmental Sciences: Water 2010 First Circle Smith College (academic top 5%) 2000–2002 STRIDE Scholarship (merit-based award from Smith College) 2000–2002 American Chemical Society Award for outstanding performance in organic chemistry at Smith College 2002 FIELD EXPERIENCE R/V Atlantis – 274′ oceanographic research vessel. Postdoctoral Scholar (6/16/15–6/27/16) Responsible for design and testing of sampling equipment and daily preparation and loading of science sampling supplies on DSV Alvin basket. Assisted in planning ROV Sentry and DSV Alvin operations for several days. Processed and archived samples collected. Chief scientist for DSV Alvin dives #4791 and #4794. Coal Oil Point natural seeps – Santa Barbara, CA. Postdoctoral Scholar (30+ research dives, 3/2013–12/2015). Perform scientific scuba diving at natural hydrocarbon seeps to collect gas and sediment samples and test prototypes of numerous sampling devices for oil and gas. R/V Atlantis – 274′ oceanographic research vessel. Postdoctoral Scholar (9/26/13–10/17/13) Deployed and successfully recovered sediment incubators designed to maintain samples at near in situ conditions. Processed and archived sediment cores and oil samples. Assisted with directing scientific operations for ROV Jason dives. Deepwater Horizon oil spill – Gulf Coast, FL, AL, MS. Postdoctoral Scholar (two 3 day trips, 2012). Collected of oil/sand mixtures (‘sand patties’) from impacted beaches. Bouchard 120 oil spill – Buzzards Bay, MA. Student (one 1 day trip, 2012). Collected sediment and grass samples from impacted marsh coastlines. M/V Cosco Busan oil spill – San Francisco Bay, CA. Student (six 3–4 day trips during 2008-2010).