Education

• B.S. University of Colorado, Boulder

• University of Lancaster, UK

Research Statement

I am broadly interested in examining food web dynamics by investigating the foraging ecology of higher predators.   Currently, my dissertation focuses on the transport and fate of organic contaminants in Antarctica, their incorporation into the Antarctic food web, particularly higher predators, and their use as tracers in seabirds breeding on the Antarctic peninsula.

Research Experience

July 2004 - Present
The transport and fate of organic contaminants in Antarctica, particularly higher predators Ph.D. Dissertation Research, VIMS

Oct 2000 - Jan.2005 
Examined the ecological response of Antarctic seabirds to global climate changes in an ice dominated environment with Dr. William Fraser, Polar Oceans Research Group

May - Aug 2003 
Examined Steller Sea Lion ecology and behavior to gain a better understanding of the role that these species play in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska ecosystems with Dr. Thomas Laughlin, National Marine Fisheries Service

Oct 1995 - June 1996
With the tutelage of Dr. Trevor Piearce, I designed and conducted an experiment in Northern England deciduous and alder forests investigating the effects of papermill waste on soil invertebrates, primarily earthworms.

Teaching Experience

Summer 2008
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates, Teaching Assistant (VIMS)

September 2007
Invited speaker for the Virginia Governor’s School Program

2002 - Present
Designed and conducted a class pertaining to Antarctic science for K-12 children or continuing education adults demonstrating one interpretation of the scientific method.  Lecture/class has been adapted and given over 20 times in the last 6 years.

Fall 1997
University of Colorado General Biology, Teaching Assistant

Field Experience

• Jan-Feb 2001-2004 ,2008: Antarctic Peninsula ecology cruise (R/V Laurence M. Gould) for Palmer LTER project

• July 2007: Mid-Atlantic scallop dredge survey (Vessel) for NOAA Fisheries Service

• Jan-Feb 2006: Tang/Smith Ross Sea Phaeocystis ecology investigation (McMurdo Station, Antarctica)

• Oct-April 2001-2004, Jan 2005: Palmer LTER seabird ecology study (Palmer Station, Antarctica) for Palmer LTER

• May-Aug 2003: Steller sea lion ecology investigation (Ugamak Island, Alaska) for NOAA/NMML

• July-Sept 2002: Antarctic Peninsula ecosystems cruise (R/V Laurence M. Gould) for Antarctic GLOBEC 

• Aug-Oct 2001: Antarctic Peninsula Ice Cruise (R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer) for Palmer LTER

Awards

2006 - present: Virginia Institute of Marine Science Fellowship Recipient

2007: Virginia Institute of Marine Science Auction Proceed Recipient

2004 - 2005: EPA STAR Fellowship Recipient

2005: Virginia Institute of Marine Science Mini-Grant Recipient

1997: Magna Cum Laude, CU Boulder

Membership in Professional Societies

American Ornithologists’ Union, member since 2004
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, member since 2004

Publications

Shearn-Bochsler, V; Green, DE; Converse, KA; Docherty, DE; Thiel, T; Geisz, HN; Fraser, W & Patterson-Fraser, DL (2007) Avian poxvirus infection in a nestling Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus) from Antarctica. Polar Biology. Online First.

Geisz, HN; Dickhut, RM;  Cochran, MA; Fraser, WR;  Ducklow, HW. Melting Glaciers are a Potential Source of DDT to Antarctic Penguins. Environmental Science & Technology. Vol. 42, in press.

Presentations

Geisz, HN; Dickhut, RM; Cochran, MA; Ducklow, HW; Fraser, WR. Influence of Diet and Migration on POP Concentrations in Antarctic Seabirds. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North American Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI. Nov. 11-15, 2007.

Geisz, HN; Dickhut, RM; Cochran, MA; Ducklow, HW; Fraser, WR. Current Levels and Long-Term Trends of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Adélie Penguins. 6th International Penguin Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Sept. 3-7, 2007.

Geisz, HN.  Current and Long-Term Trends of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Seabird Breeding in Antarctica. Marine Biological Laboratories Ecosystem Center Seminar Series, Woods Hole, MA. May 15, 2007.

Geisz, HN; Dickhut, RM; Cochran, MA; Ducklow, HW; Fraser, WR.  Current Levels and Long-Term Trends of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Seabirds Breeding in Antarctica. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North American Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Nov. 5-9, 2006.

Geisz, HN; Fraser, WR; Patterson-Fraser, DL.  Avian infection in Palmer Station Southern Giant Petrels. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Group of Experts on Birds Meeting/Workshop, Texel, Netherlands,  July 15-22, 2004.

Geisz, HN; Fraser, WR; Flying Underwater:  The Adelie Penguin and Global Climate Change.  College of William and Mary Biological Sciences Invited Speaker Series, Williamsburg, VA. Dec. 7, 2004.

Geisz, HN; Fraser, WR; Patterson-Fraser, DL..  Palmer Station, Antarctica: Whence They Came.  USGS  National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI. May 3, 2004.

Geisz, HN; Dickhut, RM; Cochran, MA; Ducklow, HW; Fraser, WR.  Long-Term Trends of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Three Antarctic Seabird Species. LTER All Sciences Meeting, Sept. 20-23, 2006.

 

Palmer Station LTER Web link