Hello! I'm Helena Nitschky, a Master's student at the University of Michigan (UM) in Ann Arbor. I am co-advised by Dr. Gregory Dick in Michigan's Geomicrobiology Laboratory and Dr. Reagan Errera at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL).

Helena Nitschky

MS Funding

Climate Change and Acidification Impacts on Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes

Personal Statement

Why study microbial ecology and climate change science?

I'm driven by a strong desire to protect important aquatic ecosystems like the Great Lakes from the harm caused by human-induced climate change. I believe that by using advanced multi-omics techniques to study small microorganisms in complex ecosystems like eutrophic, freshwater source Lake Erie, will lead to big discoveries surrounding microbial metabolic potential. By utilizing the power microbes posses, we have the opportunity to protect and safeguard ecosystems threatened by climate change.

<aside> <img src="/icons/dna_orange.svg" alt="/icons/dna_orange.svg" width="40px" /> I am specifically interested in the effects of acidification because of my long fascination with the power of photosynthetic microbes.

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1. Bachelor of Science Degree from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

My research journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree in UM’s Earth & Environmental Sciences Department, which I earned in May of 2022. During my undergraduate studies, I extensively explored multi-omic techniques in my position in the Geomicrobiology Lab, co-authoring several published papers that examined the genetic community composition of the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis sp during Lake Erie blooms.

2. Undergraduate Honor’s Thesis

It also motivated me to undertake an undergraduate Honor’s Thesis, where I sought answers to the intricate questions surrounding Microcystis's intricate photosynthetic metabolic capabilities, particularly its ability to uptake carbon. This quest involved identifying the presence of specific carbon-concentrating mechanistic genes in strains obtained from field samples and cultured isolates collected from Lake Erie.

3. Research Experience & Skills

Molecular Techniques & Research in the Field

I have previously worked in collaboration with CIGLR and NOAA GLERL to assist in Great Lakes Field sampling focused on cyanobacterial Microcystis blooms collected from Lake Erie from 2019-2023. I have also conducted various investigational fieldwork at the Camp Davis Rocky Mountain Field Station in Jackson Hole, WY. This research allowed me to become familiar with how to utilize a combination of modern molecular microbiology techniques (PCR, qPCR, next-generation sequencing, etc.), genetic pipeline analysis (with our lab’s own genetic database, GLAMR), and statistical analysis (R Studio, Microsoft Excel, and Linux programs) on environmental samples.

Working with Great Lakes Collaborators

        **@helenanitschky**

OCRID iD: 0000-0001-5802-1259

     **[email protected]**

      University of Michigan 

             Ann Arbor, MI 

I respectfully acknowledge that Ann Arbor, MI occupies the ancestral homelands of the Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox), Peoria, Anishinabewaki, and Bodéwadmiakiwen (Potawatomi) peoples. The Ojibwe (Chippewa), Odawa (Ottawa), and Bodéwadmiakiwen (Potawatomi) allowed for the creation of the University of Michigan. I honor their enduring connection to this land. Who's land are you on?