Please help us in welcoming Laura Thompson, Environmental Scientist, to our growing Applied Ecology team!

Laura graduated with a B.S. in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina with an emphasis in chemical oceanography, and later received an M.S. in Oceanography & Coastal Sciences from Louisiana State University. Early in her career while pursuing her bachelor’s degree, she assisted on her first research publication investigating phytoplankton community composition effects from exposure to the chemical compound triclosan. After graduation, she interned with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration supporting scientists in their 2016 Oil Spill Shoreline Cleaner Project and monitoring the greenhouse mesocosm experiment. Her master’s degree focused on sediment biogeochemistry in the northern Gulf of Mexico. For the past couple of years, Laura expanded her instrumentation and field skillset at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute where she served as a Water Quality Technician for the Indian River Observatory Network of Environmental Sensors (IRLON).

Laura brings these experiences with her to AEI, enhancing the water resources service line. She is excited to continue to work on projects involving water quality, stormwater, HABs, and ecotoxicology projects in estuarine and lacustrine systems. In her free time, she enjoys boating, SCUBA diving, sustainable gardening, and practicing yoga.