Spencer Fire
Dr. Fire's research program combines an interest in the very smallest and the very largest
organisms in the sea (and occasionally a few in between). From single-celled marine algae
(phytoplankton) to shellfish, finfish, sea turtles, humans and marine mammals such as baleen
whales, the interactions between these organisms can tell us much about the status of our oceans'
health. His current research focuses on the impacts of harmful algal blooms and their toxins on
marine food webs and the health of sentinel organisms such as marine mammals. To carry out
this work, Dr. Fire and his students focus on three core areas:
1) Developing and using molecular detection methods to investigate how natural contaminants
move through marine food webs,
2) Drawing on field experience with small cetaceans and pinnipeds, as well as knowledge of
field survey methods, to study marine mammal health and behavior in the wild,
3) Combining a knowledge of large-scale oceanographic processes with laboratory and field
methods to study changing marine ecosystems and their links to wildlife
and human health.
Educational Background
● Ph.D., Ocean Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz (2007)
● M.S., Marine Science, University of California Santa Cruz (2002)
● B.S., Zoology, Brigham Young University (2000)
Research & Project Interests
● Marine Megafauna
● Harmful Algal Blooms ( HABs )
organisms in the sea (and occasionally a few in between). From single-celled marine algae
(phytoplankton) to shellfish, finfish, sea turtles, humans and marine mammals such as baleen
whales, the interactions between these organisms can tell us much about the status of our oceans'
health. His current research focuses on the impacts of harmful algal blooms and their toxins on
marine food webs and the health of sentinel organisms such as marine mammals. To carry out
this work, Dr. Fire and his students focus on three core areas:
1) Developing and using molecular detection methods to investigate how natural contaminants
move through marine food webs,
2) Drawing on field experience with small cetaceans and pinnipeds, as well as knowledge of
field survey methods, to study marine mammal health and behavior in the wild,
3) Combining a knowledge of large-scale oceanographic processes with laboratory and field
methods to study changing marine ecosystems and their links to wildlife
and human health.
Educational Background
● Ph.D., Ocean Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz (2007)
● M.S., Marine Science, University of California Santa Cruz (2002)
● B.S., Zoology, Brigham Young University (2000)
Research & Project Interests
● Marine Megafauna
● Harmful Algal Blooms ( HABs )
Publications● Broadwater MH, Van Dolah FM, Fire SE (in press). Vulnerabilities of Marine Mammals to Harmful Algal Blooms. In: Shumway S and Morton S (eds.), Harmful Algal Blooms
Desk Reference: A Compendium of Impacts. ● Browning JA, Fire SE (in review). Phycotoxin loads in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiopstruncatus) from the Indian River Lagoon estuary system and coastal Atlantic waters of Florida, USA (2002-2011). Harmful Algae. ● Fire SE, Adkesson MJ, Wang Z, Jankowski G, Cárdenas-Alayza S, Broadwater M.Peruvian fur seals (Arctocephalus australis ssp.) and South American sea lions (Otaria byronia) in Peru are exposed to the harmful algal toxins domoic acid and okadaic acid. Marine Mammal Science (2016). |
Professional Experience● Research Scientist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (2014)
● Biological Oceanographer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2006–2014) ● Adjunct Faculty, Department of Natural Sciences, Manatee Community College (2006) ● Research Associate, Sarasota Dolphin Research Program/Mote Marine Laboratory (2003–2006) |