Olivia Blondheim

Olivia is a biological oceanography doctoral student at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science. Her research aims to improve estimates of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) water filtration, a valuable ecological service in estuaries. She is also experimentally evaluating whether oysters can diminish the severity of harmful algal blooms. Olivia is also the Scientific Outreach Coordinator at the Gulf Shellfish Institute (GSI), a non-profit organization that supports and encourages increased shellfish production in Florida and the Gulf region through cooperative, industry-driven research and outreach. She is currently leading GSI’s vertical oyster garden program.