National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
United States Department of Commerce

Colleen E. Harpold

Research Oceanographer
Phone Number: 
206-526-6716
Staff Affiliation: 
NOAA/AFSC

I am a member of the Zooplankton Team at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center and have worked as a Research Oceanographer with EcoFOCI since November of 2002. My research interests include zooplankton ecology and community structure in the Bering Sea, seasonal timing and phenology of copepods, effects of climate change on lower trophic levels, and marine ecosystem dynamics. I conduct Rapid Zooplankton Assessments (RZA) on research surveys providing quick post-cruise indicators of zooplankton community structure and abundance. This data is used to inform the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council through the Ecosystems Considerations Chapter. I am also interested in graphical and artistic presentation of scientific data, scientific illustrating and mapping. I have a passion for outreach and give presentations at local schools, help with NOAA Science camp and mentor University of Washington undergraduate students through the Huskies at Work program. I perform regular field duties using plankton nets, conduct standard chlorophyll sample collection and processing techniques, and prepare zooplankton and chlorophyll gear for field season use. I also quality control and manage our zooplankton and chlorophyll data and load it into our database (EcoDAAT).