Dr. Howard is a biological oceanographer specializing in the ecology and physiology of harmful algal blooms (HABs), particularly those that produce the marine toxins domoic acid and yessotoxin. Dr. Howard received her Ph.D. in Ocean Science from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2007. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Rutgers University and her B.A. in Finance from Lehigh University. Dr. Howard is currently a joint Post-Doctoral Research Associate at SCCWRP and at the University of Southern California, where she works with Dr. David Caron. She is part of the Bight ’08 project working in the Offshore Water Quality group. Her current research interests include the examination of the environmental factors that influence phytoplankton blooms, with a special emphasis on nutrient sources and the improvement of HAB monitoring and detection. Her research is designed to address scientifically relevant questions that have practical applications to public policy and monitoring programs.