Research Excellence Award
Elizabeth Macchioni
Kean University, United States
Elizabeth Macchioni is an Undergraduate Research Scholar at Kean University pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Sustainability. Her research examines harmful algal blooms, aquatic environments, and environmental contaminants, with a published study on dissolved harmful algal bloom phycotoxins in New Jersey aquatic environments. She is affiliated with the Botany Scientist Awards and is considered for the Research Excellence Award in recognition of her scholarly contributions to algal studies and water quality research.[1]
Abstract
This article profiles Elizabeth Macchioni, an Undergraduate Research Scholar at Kean University, whose research addresses dissolved harmful algal bloom phycotoxins in New Jersey aquatic environments. Her published work and conference presentations contribute to environmental monitoring and water quality science, supporting her nomination for the Research Excellence Award.[1]
Keywords
- Algal Studies
- Harmful Algal Blooms
- Aquatic Ecology
- Aquatic Toxicology
- Water Quality
- Environmental Contaminants
Introduction
Harmful algal blooms represent a growing concern for aquatic ecosystem health and water quality, particularly where dissolved phycotoxins may persist in freshwater and coastal environments [1]. Research into the occurrence and analytical detection of these compounds supports environmental monitoring and informed public health decisions. Macchioni’s work contributes to this field through faculty-mentored investigation of New Jersey aquatic systems [3].
Research Profile
Elizabeth Macchioni is pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Sustainability at Kean University, where she serves as an Undergraduate Research Scholar. Her research interests include algal studies, aquatic ecology, harmful algal bloom research, aquatic toxicology, and water quality. She has gained professional experience as an Environmental Technician Intern in site remediation, including groundwater sampling and environmental fieldwork, and is a member of NJAIHA.[1][2]
Research Contributions
Her research contributes to understanding harmful algal bloom phycotoxins in New Jersey aquatic environments, addressing an important environmental and water quality concern. Through faculty-mentored research under Dr. Shuting Liu, she contributed to analytical approaches for investigating dissolved phycotoxins across aquatic environments [3]. She has also collaborated on coastal environmental research examining storm overwash deposition on snow-covered beaches under Dr. Jun Cheng. Her work has been presented at university and regional research conferences.
Publications
Elizabeth Macchioni co-authored “Investigating Dissolved Harmful Algal Blooms Phycotoxins in New Jersey Aquatic Environments” in Water (2026), 18(16), Article 2017, examining dissolved phycotoxins across New Jersey aquatic systems [3]. The study is indexed in Scopus under Author ID 60814856200 [1], with DOI 10.3390/w18162017.
Research Impact
The published study advances understanding of dissolved phycotoxin occurrence in New Jersey aquatic environments and supports the development of analytical methods relevant to environmental monitoring [3]. Her Scopus author profile records one document in algal studies [1], and her ORCID record provides a persistent identifier for tracking her scholarly outputs [2].
Award Suitability
Elizabeth Macchioni’s nomination for the Research Excellence Award reflects her published research, conference presentations, and faculty-mentored contributions to environmental science. Her work aligns with the award’s emphasis on scholarly achievement in algal studies and water quality research, as recognized through the Botany Scientist Awards [4].
Conclusion
Elizabeth Macchioni’s research on harmful algal bloom phycotoxins and aquatic environmental contaminants demonstrates a focused contribution to environmental science. Her publication record, collaborative research experience, and academic engagement at Kean University support her suitability for the Research Excellence Award.[1][2]
External Links
References
- Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Elizabeth Macchioni, Author ID 60814856200. Scopus.
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=60814856200
- ORCID. (n.d.). ORCID record: Elizabeth Macchioni, 0009-0008-9178-7529. ORCID.
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9178-7529
- Liu, S., Macchioni, E., Dovey, J., Gonzalez, M., Rodriguez, L., Suarez, D., Javier, J., McDonald, K., et al. (2026). Investigating dissolved harmful algal blooms phycotoxins in New Jersey aquatic environments. Water, 18(16), Article 2017.
https://doi.org/10.3390/w18162017
- Botany Scientist Awards. (n.d.). Botany Scientist Awards: Event information. Botany Scientist.
https://botanyscientist.com/