The Gobler Lab is engaged in multiple research and monitoring projects supported by grants and contracts from federal, state, and local agencies as well as from several foundations. Below we highlight some of these projects and facilities that support those projects.
The Stony Brook Southampton Marine Sciences Center
Stony Brook Southampton Marine Sciences Center is located across the street from the Gobler Laboratory and represents an invaluable resource for the research performed by our group. The Center is host to a fleet of research vessels that provide access to all of the major coastal ecosystems around Long Island. The new, $10M marine sciences laboratory includes a 2,000 square foot flowing seawater laboratory where we rear dozens of cultures of phytoplankton and zooplankton and multiple species of bivalves and finfish, providing multiple life stages of these animals available for experiments. Within the lab, we have perfected experimental chambers for exploring the effects of acidification, hypoxia, temperature changes, and nutrient loading on a variety of organisms from algae to fish. Marine Station Website
The New York State Center for Clean Water Technology at Stony Brook University
Dr. Gobler is the Director of New York State Center for Clean Water Technology at Stony Brook University which was founded in 2015 to develop innovative solutions that will protect surface and drinking waters regionally and globally. Center for Clean Water Technology Website
Harmful Algae
Dr. Gobler is the Editor-in-Chief of the international, peer-reviewed, Elseivier journal, Harmful Algae which has an Impact Factor of 5.905 placing it in the top five of more than 110 marine and freshwater biology journals. Harmful Algae on ScienceDirect
The Long Island Shellfish Restoration Project
In May 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo, concerned with brown tides on Long Island, contacted Professor Gobler to ask what could be done to stop such harmful algal blooms. Gobler invited Cuomo to come to Southampton to witness the success of the Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program. That summer, Gobler worked with the Governor and his staff to create the Long Island Shellfish Restoration Project which Cuomo announced in September of that year. Since then, the Gobler Lab has worked with NYSDEC to plant millions of hard clams in five spawner sanctuaries across Long Island. Since 2018, Gobler has been co-chair of the New York State Shellfish Restoration Council. 2017 Announcement and Restore New York Shellfish links!
Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program (ShiRP)
Founded by Dr. Gobler in 2012 to combat the deterioration of Shinnecock Bay. Our goal is to use science, outreach, and partnerships to restore the water quality and fisheries of Shinnecock Bay. ShiRP Website
News 12 Long Island Water Quality Index
The nation’s first-ever on-air, TV water quality report, featured in the NY Times in 2016. The Gobler Laboratory continuously monitors dozens of locations across Long Island from Memorial Day to Labor Day with the results being reported live during weather reports to inform the public about the quality of the water around Long Island. Click here for past reports!
Georgica Pond Project
The Gobler laboratory studies dozens of estuaries across NY state. None is more dynamic nor unique than Georgica Pond. This coastal pond is opened to the Atlantic Ocean several times annually but closes in weeks to months after each opening. When closed in summer, it suffers from toxic cyanobacterial blooms and macroalgae blooms. The Gobler laboratory is engaged in a major study of this ecosystem. Georgica Pond Project Website
