U.S. flag An official website of the United States government.
				Here's how you know we're official. **Official websites use .gov** A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure websites use HTTPS** A small lock or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to a .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Toggle navigation Toggle search National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 Search
					Search National Ocean Service


Home
				Ocean Facts

				Topics
					Explore All Topics 
                        Arctic 
                        Careers 
                        Economy 
                        Ecosystems 
                        Geodesy 
                        Hazards 
                        International
                        Navigation 
                        Observations 
                        Ocean 
                        Recreation 
                         Sea Level Rise 
                        Story Maps 
                        Tools
                
                			Education

				
				News
				Podcasts
				Video
				Images
				About Us


1. Home
2. Careers
3. Environmental Scientist: Nia Hatshepsut Rene

**Nia Hatshepsut Rene, Environmental Scientist**  Nia Hatshepsut Rene*Nia Hatshepsut Rene, Environmental Scientist.* Donut chart showing the typical work duties of Nia Hatshepsut Rene, Environmental Scientist.Pink chart segment spanning 40% of the whole: the percentage of time Nia Hatshepsut Rene spends on CommunicationGreen chart segment spanning 30% of the whole: the percentage of time Nia Hatshepsut Reney spends on Laboratory analysisBlue chart segment spanning 20% of the whole: the percentage of time Nia Hatshepsut Rene spends on Research and writingYellow chart segment spanning 10% of the whole: the percentage of time Nia Hatshepsut Rene spends on Field workDailyDuties
						Donut chart showing how Nia Hatshepsut Rene, Environmental Scientist, spends her time.
							**40%** Communication
								**30%** Laboratory analysis
								**20%** Research and writing
								**10%** Field work
 Nia is the coordinator of the aquaculture section of the Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN), which is part of the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Office (NCCOS). She provides guidance and science products to coastal managers to help with sustainable aquaculture — breeding and harvesting animals and plants in water environments for food. Her job focuses on maintaining partnerships with people who grow and farm shellfish and finfish to help them monitor harmful algae. NCCOS is NOAA's coastal science hub. This office provides data and information to coastal communities to help people decide how to best protect environmental resources and public health, preserve habitats, and improve coastal ecosystems.   What are your basic job duties? I partner with shellfish and finfish growers and farmers to monitor for algae that can harm their harvest. My responsibilities include training aquaculture managers to sample for and identify potentially harmful algae, empowering them  with an early warning at their sites. I also engage in biological and chemical assays (a process that measures the quality or quantity of something) when participants identify algae capable of producing toxins. How did you get to where you are now in your career? I was awarded a graduate fellowship from NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program Center for Earth System Sciences and Remote Sensing Technologies during my Master’s program in Earth and Environmental Sciences at the City University of New York. I learned about NOAA’s mission through this pathway and participated in a research training opportunity at the Hollings Marine Laboratory. At this point, I recognized that my research work was directly aligned with NOAA’s priorities and that I could contribute to accomplishing its goals one day. I was subsequently awarded a doctoral fellowship from NOAA to research the linkages between water chemistry and harmful algal blooms. Shortly after completing my course requirements, I applied for and received a federal position with NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), where I am currently balancing a full-time job while completing my doctoral studies. How did you figure out you wanted this career? I’m a second-generation Haitian American from Brooklyn, New York. Water is ingrained in my culture, influencing vitality, foodways, and cleanliness. My interest in water quality and its impacts on ecology stems from my upbringing and desire to positively impact our environment. I am happy to work with NCCOS to support the management and conservation of coastal marine resources. What would you recommend to those who want to pursue a career in your field? Search for ways to work with professors and scientists in the field via internships and/or scholarships. Reach out to potential employers or mentors to introduce yourself. Always be open to learning new skills because technology is constantly changing.
 **Name:** *Nia Hatshepsut Rene*
								**Location:** *Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, South Carolina*
								**Education:** *Doctoral Candidate- Environmental Science; M.S. in Environmental Science; B.S. in Chemistry*
								**National Ocean Service Program Office:** *National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science*
  National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Aquaculture Phytoplankton Monitoring Network Harmful Algal Blooms   Get **Social** Social
  **Last updated:** 01/20/23 **Author:** NOAA How to cite this article Contact Us


Feedback Provide Feedback
							Contact Us
							Report an error
 Social Instagram Logo/a>


*Science. Service.Stewardship.*
 About NOS About Us
							NOS Program Offices
							Media Inquiries
							Website Acknowledgements
                            Site Index
							Disclaimer
 More Resources Freedom of Information Act
							Accessibility
							Information Quality
							Privacy Policy
							NOS For Employees
							USA.gov
 Department of Commerce
									National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
									National Ocean Service