Last Updated: February 26, 2021
WHITNEY SHANNON BECK
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Freshwater ecology, water policy, biological assessment, ecological modeling and statistics, nutrient cycling, water quality, benthic algae, phytoplankton, benthic invertebrates
EDUCATION
2019 Ph.D., Graduate Degree Program in Ecology (GPA: 4.0)
Department of Biology, Colorado State University
2012 B.S., Cum Laude with High Honors, Environmental Science and Policy (GPA: 3.9)
Concentration: Soil, Water, and Land Resources
University of Maryland College Park
FELLOWSHIPS & AWARDS
2018-2019 Sustainability Leadership Fellowship, Colorado State University
2018-2019 Edward and Phyllis Reed Fellowship, Colorado State University ($19,600)
2018 Society for Freshwater Science Endowment Award ($1,000)
2018 Front Range Student Ecology Symposium Top Oral Presentation Award
2017-2018 Neal B. Kindig Fellowship, Colorado Mountain Club ($2,000)
2017-2018 Office of the VP for Research Fellowship, Colorado State University ($4,000)
2016 Graduate Showcase Top Poster Award, Colorado State University ($250)
2016 Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association Scholarship ($2,500)
2015 Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention, National Science Foundation
2015 Front Range Student Ecology Symposium Top Poster Presentation Award
2014-2017 Integrated Water, Atmosphere, Ecosystems and Education Training (I-WATER) IGERT Fellowship, National Science Foundation ($100,000)
2014 Research and Scholarly Excellence Fellowship, Colorado State University ($2,000)
2014 Graduate Student Fellowship, Colorado State University ($1,000)
2012 Environmental Science and Policy Program High Honors, University of Maryland
2012 Thomas A. Fretz Leadership Scholarship, University of Maryland ($1,000)
2012 Library Research Excellence Award, University of Maryland ($1,000)
GRANTS
2017 Biology Department Travel Grant, Colorado State University ($1,200)
2017 Graduate Student Council Travel Grant, Colorado State University ($250)
2017 Ecology Program Travel Award, Colorado State University ($200)
2017 USGS/ Colorado Water Institute Research Grant ($5,000)
2016 Travel Grant, Turner Designs ($1,000)
2015 Ecology Program Research Grant, Colorado State University ($1,600)
NATIONAL AWARDS & TRAINING
2018 Ecological Dissertations in Aquatic Ecology Workshop, Honolulu, HI, National Science Foundation
2018 Ecological Forecasting Workshop, Boston University, National Science Foundation
2015 Graduate Student Training Workshop, Annapolis, MD, National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center
2015 Algal Taxonomy Training Workshop, White Plains, NY, Fordham University
PUBLICATIONS
8) Oleksy, I.A., Baron, J.S., and Beck, W.S. 2021. Nutrients and Warming Alter Mountain Lake Benthic Structure and Function. In Press, Freshwater Science. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/713068
7) Fritz, K. M., Nadeau, T-L, Kelso, J. E., Beck, W.S., Mazor, R. D., Harrington, R. A., Topping, B. J. 2020. Classifying Streamflow Duration: The Scientific Basis and an Operational Framework for Method Development. Water, 12(9):2545. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/9/2545
6) Kincaid, D., Beck. W.S., et al. 2020. How Wikipedia Helps Resolve Information Inequality in the Aquatic Sciences. Limnology and Oceanography Letters, 6(1):18-23.
5) Oleksy, I.A., Beck, W.S., et al. 2020. The role of warm, dry summers and variation in snowpack on phytoplankton dynamics in mountains lakes. Accepted, Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3132
4) Beck, W.S., Markman, D.W., Oleksy, I.A., Lafferty, M.H., and Poff, N.L. 2018. Seasonal Shifts in the Importance of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Factors on Periphyton Community Structure. Oikos, 128(5): 680-691.
3) Beck, W. S. and Hall, E.K. 2018. Avoiding Confounding Factors in Algal Phosphorus Limitation Experiments. Plos One, 13(10): e0205684. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205684
2) Monroe, G., Markman, D.W., Beck, W.S., et al. 2018. Eco-evolutionary Dynamics of Carbon Cycling in the Anthropocene. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 33(3):213-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2017.12.006
1) Beck, W. S., Rugenski, A.T., and Poff, N.L. 2017. Influence of Experimental, Environmental, and Geographic Factors on Nutrient Diffusing Substrate Experiments in Running Waters. Freshwater Biology, 62(10):1667-1680. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.12989
Beck, W.S. 2019. Investigating Experimental and Environmental Factors to Provide a Mechanistic Understanding of Benthic Algal Biomass Accumulation in Freshwater Streams. PhD Dissertation, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
Beck, W. S. 2012. Pathogens at Great Lakes Beaches: Evaluating Consistency in Public Health Protection. Undergraduate Honors Thesis, University of Maryland, College Park.
PUBLICATIONS IN PROGRESS
Lofton, M., Brentrup, J., Beck. W.S., et al. 2021. Using near-term forecasts and uncertainty partitioning to improve predictions of low-frequency cyanobacterial events. In Revision, Ecological Applications.
Beck, W. S., Rugenski, A.T., and Poff, N.L. 2021. Limiting Nutrients Drive Mountain Stream Ecosystem Processes Along an Elevation Gradient. In Revision, Freshwater Science.
Beck, W.S., Oleksy, I.A., Boot, C.M., Kotalik, C. 2021. Methodological and Environmental Factors Drive Disparate Benthic Algal Community Structure Measurements from in situ Fluorometry and UPLC-UV-MS. In Revision, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.
Beck, W.S. and Poff, N.L. 2021. Current Velocity Enhances Responses of Stream Algae to Limiting Nutrients. In Prep, Hydrobiologia.
PROFESSIONAL and RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2019-Present Biologist, Clean Water Act Regulatory Policy and Aquatic Monitoring and Assessment
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Washington, DC
Colorado State University
2014-2019 National Science Foundation IGERT Fellow and Ecology Ph.D. Student
Fall 2018 Instructor, BZ 471 and 472 Stream Biology and Ecology Lecture & Lab
Spring 2018 Teaching Assistant, GES101 Global and Environmental Sustainability
Fall 2017 Instructor, BZ 472 Stream Biology and Ecology Lab
Fall 2017 Teaching Assistant, BZ 471 Stream Biology and Ecology Lecture
Fall 2016 Teaching Assistant, LIFE 320 Ecology Lecture
Fall 2016 Instructor, LIFE 320 Honors Ecology
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2012-2014 Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Grants Contractor for Air, Water and Climate Programs, National Center for Environmental Research, Arlington, Virginia
2011 Research Intern for Freshwater Monitoring and Water Quality Programs, Office of Water, Washington DC
University of Maryland College Park
2011-2012 Honors Thesis, Environmental Science and Policy Program
2010-2012 Teaching Assistant, Environmental Science and Environmental Policy
2009-2012 Office Assistant, Environmental Science and Policy Program
Academic Societies
2015-Present Society for Freshwater Science
2015-Present Ecological Society of America
2013-Present Earth Science Women’s Network
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE and ENGAGEMENT
Positions
2019-Present Subject Matter Editor: Ecosphere
2018-Present Reviewer: Freshwater Science, Freshwater Biology, PeerJ Journals
2015-2019 Promoting Geoscience Research, Education, and Success Mentor
2018-2019 Social Media Coordinator, Student Committee, Society for Freshwater Science
2017-2018 Undergrad Diversity Program Reviewer & Mentor, Society for Freshwater Science
2018 Undergrad Poster Judge, Society for Freshwater Science & Colorado State University
2017-2018 Website and Social Media Coordinator, Front Range Student Ecology Symposium
2016-2017 President, Front Range Student Ecology Symposium
2015-2016 Elected Executive Committee Member, Ecology Program, Colorado State University
2014-2016 Outreach Committee Chair, Front Range Student Ecology Symposium
2015 Trip Leader, International Student Volunteers Conservation Project in New Zealand
2010-2012 Trip Leader, Alternative Breaks Service-Learning Program in Boston and D.C.
2010-2012 Treasurer and Trip Leader, Terrapin Trail Club, University of Maryland
2009 Volunteer, Amextra Nonprofit in Mexico City
2009 Volunteer, CentroNia Nonprofit Child Development Program
Media Coverage
White Papers and Newsletters
WHITNEY SHANNON BECK
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Freshwater ecology, water policy, biological assessment, ecological modeling and statistics, nutrient cycling, water quality, benthic algae, phytoplankton, benthic invertebrates
EDUCATION
2019 Ph.D., Graduate Degree Program in Ecology (GPA: 4.0)
Department of Biology, Colorado State University
2012 B.S., Cum Laude with High Honors, Environmental Science and Policy (GPA: 3.9)
Concentration: Soil, Water, and Land Resources
University of Maryland College Park
FELLOWSHIPS & AWARDS
2018-2019 Sustainability Leadership Fellowship, Colorado State University
2018-2019 Edward and Phyllis Reed Fellowship, Colorado State University ($19,600)
2018 Society for Freshwater Science Endowment Award ($1,000)
2018 Front Range Student Ecology Symposium Top Oral Presentation Award
2017-2018 Neal B. Kindig Fellowship, Colorado Mountain Club ($2,000)
2017-2018 Office of the VP for Research Fellowship, Colorado State University ($4,000)
2016 Graduate Showcase Top Poster Award, Colorado State University ($250)
2016 Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association Scholarship ($2,500)
2015 Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention, National Science Foundation
2015 Front Range Student Ecology Symposium Top Poster Presentation Award
2014-2017 Integrated Water, Atmosphere, Ecosystems and Education Training (I-WATER) IGERT Fellowship, National Science Foundation ($100,000)
2014 Research and Scholarly Excellence Fellowship, Colorado State University ($2,000)
2014 Graduate Student Fellowship, Colorado State University ($1,000)
2012 Environmental Science and Policy Program High Honors, University of Maryland
2012 Thomas A. Fretz Leadership Scholarship, University of Maryland ($1,000)
2012 Library Research Excellence Award, University of Maryland ($1,000)
GRANTS
2017 Biology Department Travel Grant, Colorado State University ($1,200)
2017 Graduate Student Council Travel Grant, Colorado State University ($250)
2017 Ecology Program Travel Award, Colorado State University ($200)
2017 USGS/ Colorado Water Institute Research Grant ($5,000)
2016 Travel Grant, Turner Designs ($1,000)
2015 Ecology Program Research Grant, Colorado State University ($1,600)
NATIONAL AWARDS & TRAINING
2018 Ecological Dissertations in Aquatic Ecology Workshop, Honolulu, HI, National Science Foundation
2018 Ecological Forecasting Workshop, Boston University, National Science Foundation
2015 Graduate Student Training Workshop, Annapolis, MD, National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center
2015 Algal Taxonomy Training Workshop, White Plains, NY, Fordham University
PUBLICATIONS
8) Oleksy, I.A., Baron, J.S., and Beck, W.S. 2021. Nutrients and Warming Alter Mountain Lake Benthic Structure and Function. In Press, Freshwater Science. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/713068
7) Fritz, K. M., Nadeau, T-L, Kelso, J. E., Beck, W.S., Mazor, R. D., Harrington, R. A., Topping, B. J. 2020. Classifying Streamflow Duration: The Scientific Basis and an Operational Framework for Method Development. Water, 12(9):2545. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/9/2545
6) Kincaid, D., Beck. W.S., et al. 2020. How Wikipedia Helps Resolve Information Inequality in the Aquatic Sciences. Limnology and Oceanography Letters, 6(1):18-23.
5) Oleksy, I.A., Beck, W.S., et al. 2020. The role of warm, dry summers and variation in snowpack on phytoplankton dynamics in mountains lakes. Accepted, Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3132
4) Beck, W.S., Markman, D.W., Oleksy, I.A., Lafferty, M.H., and Poff, N.L. 2018. Seasonal Shifts in the Importance of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Factors on Periphyton Community Structure. Oikos, 128(5): 680-691.
- Data available at: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.q436v45
- Oikos blog summary: http://www.oikosjournal.org/blog/seasonal-effects-stream-community-structures
3) Beck, W. S. and Hall, E.K. 2018. Avoiding Confounding Factors in Algal Phosphorus Limitation Experiments. Plos One, 13(10): e0205684. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205684
- Data and code available at: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/XPI5RJ
2) Monroe, G., Markman, D.W., Beck, W.S., et al. 2018. Eco-evolutionary Dynamics of Carbon Cycling in the Anthropocene. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 33(3):213-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2017.12.006
1) Beck, W. S., Rugenski, A.T., and Poff, N.L. 2017. Influence of Experimental, Environmental, and Geographic Factors on Nutrient Diffusing Substrate Experiments in Running Waters. Freshwater Biology, 62(10):1667-1680. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.12989
- Journal Top 20 Downloaded Paper from 2016-2018
Beck, W.S. 2019. Investigating Experimental and Environmental Factors to Provide a Mechanistic Understanding of Benthic Algal Biomass Accumulation in Freshwater Streams. PhD Dissertation, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
Beck, W. S. 2012. Pathogens at Great Lakes Beaches: Evaluating Consistency in Public Health Protection. Undergraduate Honors Thesis, University of Maryland, College Park.
PUBLICATIONS IN PROGRESS
Lofton, M., Brentrup, J., Beck. W.S., et al. 2021. Using near-term forecasts and uncertainty partitioning to improve predictions of low-frequency cyanobacterial events. In Revision, Ecological Applications.
Beck, W. S., Rugenski, A.T., and Poff, N.L. 2021. Limiting Nutrients Drive Mountain Stream Ecosystem Processes Along an Elevation Gradient. In Revision, Freshwater Science.
Beck, W.S., Oleksy, I.A., Boot, C.M., Kotalik, C. 2021. Methodological and Environmental Factors Drive Disparate Benthic Algal Community Structure Measurements from in situ Fluorometry and UPLC-UV-MS. In Revision, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.
Beck, W.S. and Poff, N.L. 2021. Current Velocity Enhances Responses of Stream Algae to Limiting Nutrients. In Prep, Hydrobiologia.
PROFESSIONAL and RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2019-Present Biologist, Clean Water Act Regulatory Policy and Aquatic Monitoring and Assessment
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Washington, DC
Colorado State University
2014-2019 National Science Foundation IGERT Fellow and Ecology Ph.D. Student
Fall 2018 Instructor, BZ 471 and 472 Stream Biology and Ecology Lecture & Lab
Spring 2018 Teaching Assistant, GES101 Global and Environmental Sustainability
Fall 2017 Instructor, BZ 472 Stream Biology and Ecology Lab
Fall 2017 Teaching Assistant, BZ 471 Stream Biology and Ecology Lecture
Fall 2016 Teaching Assistant, LIFE 320 Ecology Lecture
Fall 2016 Instructor, LIFE 320 Honors Ecology
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2012-2014 Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Grants Contractor for Air, Water and Climate Programs, National Center for Environmental Research, Arlington, Virginia
2011 Research Intern for Freshwater Monitoring and Water Quality Programs, Office of Water, Washington DC
University of Maryland College Park
2011-2012 Honors Thesis, Environmental Science and Policy Program
2010-2012 Teaching Assistant, Environmental Science and Environmental Policy
2009-2012 Office Assistant, Environmental Science and Policy Program
Academic Societies
2015-Present Society for Freshwater Science
2015-Present Ecological Society of America
2013-Present Earth Science Women’s Network
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
- Beck, Whitney S. “Seasonal Shifts in the Importance of Bottom-Up and Top-Down Factors on Periphyton Community Structure.” Society for Freshwater Science Meeting. Detroit, MI. 23 May, 2018.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Bottom-Up and Top-Down Factors Influencing Algae Across a Current Velocity Gradient.” Fort Collins, CO. Front Range Student Ecology Symposium. 14 February, 2018.
- Beck, Whitney S. and N. LeRoy Poff. “Drivers of Stream Nutrient Limitation Along an Elevational Gradient.” Portland, OR. Ecological Society of America. 9 August, 2017.
- Beck, Whitney S., Amanda T. Rugenski, and N. LeRoy Poff. “Influence of Experiment, Environmental, and Geographic Factors on Nutrient Diffusing Substrate Experiments in Running Waters.” Raleigh, NC. Society for Freshwater Science. 5 June, 2017.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Influence of Experiment, Environmental, and Geographic Factors on Stream Nutrient Limitation.” Fort Collins, CO. American Geophysical Union Hydrology Days. 21 March, 2017.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Influence of Experimental, Environmental, and Geographic Factors on Nutrient Diffusing Substrate Experiments in Running Waters.” Fort Collins, CO. Front Range Student Ecology Symposium. 23 February, 2017.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Predicting Algal Blooms to Protect Drinking Water, Fish, and Recreation.” Fort Collins, CO. Vice President’s Office for Research Thesis Showcase. 13 February, 2017.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Stream Algae Nutrient Limitation Along an Elevation Gradient in the Poudre Watershed, Colorado.” Fort Collins, CO. American Geophysical Union Hydrology Days. 22 March 2016.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Stream Algae Nutrient Limitation Along an Elevation Gradient in the Poudre Watershed, Colorado.” Fort Collins, CO. Front Range Student Ecology Symposium. 23 Feb 2016.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) to Assess Environmental and Biotic Controls on Benthic Algal Biomass in Mid-Atlantic Streams.” Fort Collins, CO. American Geophysical Union Hydrology Days. 23 March 2015.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
- Beck, Whitney S. "Drivers and Implications of Algal Accrual and Nutrient Limitation in Snowmelt-Driven Mountain Streams." Washington, D.C., American Geophysical Union Meeting. 11 December, 2018.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Seasonal Shifts in the Importance of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Factors on Stream Periphyton Community Structure.” New Orleans, LA. Ecological Society of America Meeting. 6 August, 2018.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Current Velocity Enhances the Effect of Limiting Nutrients on Algal Biomass in Poudre Watershed Streams.” Boulder, CO. Hydrologic Sciences Conference. 12 April, 2018.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Predicting the Vulnerability of Stream Algae to Nutrient Enrichment in a Changing World.” Fort Collins, CO. Graduate Student Showcase. 15 November, 2016.
- Beck, Whitney S. et al. “Stream Algae Nutrient Limitation Along an Elevation Gradient in the Poudre Watershed, Colorado.” Sacramento, CA. Society for Freshwater Science Meeting. 24 May, 2016.
- Bledsoe, Brian, N. LeRoy Poff, Whitney S. Beck, et al. “Linking Water Quality and Water Quantity to Sustainably Manage Freshwater Ecosystems.” Fort Collins, CO. School of Global Environmental Sustainability Showcase. 8 May 2015. Poster Presentation.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Developing GAMs to Identify Algal Biomass Controls in Mid-Atlantic Streams.” Fort Collins, CO. Front Range Student Ecology Symposium. 25 Feb 2015.
- Beck, Whitney S. “Developing GAMs to Identify Algal Biomass Controls in Mid-Atlantic Streams.” Fort Collins, CO. Graduate Student Showcase. 25 Feb 2015.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE and ENGAGEMENT
Positions
2019-Present Subject Matter Editor: Ecosphere
2018-Present Reviewer: Freshwater Science, Freshwater Biology, PeerJ Journals
2015-2019 Promoting Geoscience Research, Education, and Success Mentor
2018-2019 Social Media Coordinator, Student Committee, Society for Freshwater Science
2017-2018 Undergrad Diversity Program Reviewer & Mentor, Society for Freshwater Science
2018 Undergrad Poster Judge, Society for Freshwater Science & Colorado State University
2017-2018 Website and Social Media Coordinator, Front Range Student Ecology Symposium
2016-2017 President, Front Range Student Ecology Symposium
2015-2016 Elected Executive Committee Member, Ecology Program, Colorado State University
2014-2016 Outreach Committee Chair, Front Range Student Ecology Symposium
2015 Trip Leader, International Student Volunteers Conservation Project in New Zealand
2010-2012 Trip Leader, Alternative Breaks Service-Learning Program in Boston and D.C.
2010-2012 Treasurer and Trip Leader, Terrapin Trail Club, University of Maryland
2009 Volunteer, Amextra Nonprofit in Mexico City
2009 Volunteer, CentroNia Nonprofit Child Development Program
Media Coverage
- Colorado State University Sustainability Blog, "When Algae Turns into Too Much of a Good Thing" (2018): https://sustainability.colostate.edu/blog/humannature/2018-2019-slf-cohort/whitney-beck/
- Think Tech Hawaii TV show interview for the program "Likable Science" (2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiqrMkr4uow&feature=youtu.be
- Society for Freshwater Science podcast interview on undergraduate teaching (2018): https://freshwater-science.org/news/making-waves-ep-33
- Vice President for Research 3-minute thesis competition award (2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMguL6MdPFc&feature=youtu.be&list=PLwxPIH91pl_7KK2MJC3oPVe99MVD0GKrT
White Papers and Newsletters
- Beck, Whitney S. (2018). “Effects of Water Velocity on Algal-Nutrient Interactions in Streams of the Poudre Watershed, Colorado. Colorado Waters Magazine. Colorado Water Institute.
Beck, Whitney S. (2016). “Perceptions of Colorado Stream Management Plans.” Colorado Waters Magazine. Colorado Water Institute. - Beck, Whitney S. and Michael Hiscock (2014). “Synthesis of EPA Research Findings-- Climate Change Impacts on Water Quality.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. White Paper.
- Beck, Whitney S. and Bryan J. Bloomer (2014). “Review of 21st Century Water Research Needs.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. White Paper.
- Beck, Whitney S., Editor and Contributor (2013). “Nitrogen Research Highlights.” The Quarterly Planet Newsletter. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Beck, Whitney S., Editor and Contributor (2013). “Climate Change and Public Health.” The Quarterly Planet Newsletter. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Beck, Whitney S., Editor and Contributor (2012). “Water and Climate Change.” The Quarterly Planet Newsletter. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.