Leanna Heffner
Profile Page
Educational Background
Bachelor of Arts
Vassar College
2004
Areas of Specialization
Research
Leanna is generally interested in the impacts of human activity on coastal ecosystems. She has previously studied the effects of eutrophication (nutrient pollution) and subsequent macroalgal blooms on estuarine communities, and plans to continue this work in Rhode Island's coastal lagoons.Publications:
Heffner, L.R. (2008, March 13) “Climate change can't be predicted by the weather”, Op-ed, South County Independent, p. 3. Heffner, L.R. 2007. Land conservation as a strategy for water quality protection in estuaries: estimating nutrient fluxes in the Wood-Pawcatuck River Watershed and recommendations for further conservation actions. A white paper prepared for The Nature Conservancy. Teichberg, M., Heffner, L.R., Fox, S., and I. Valiela. 2006. Nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activity, internal N pools, and growth of Ulva lactuca: responses to long and short-term N supply. Marine Biology. 151(4): 1249-1259. Heffner, L.R., Teichberg, M., Fox, S., and I. Valiela. 2004. Nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activity and growth in Ulva lactuca in Waquoit Bay: a time sequence of responses to differences in nitrogen supply. Biological Bulletin. 207: 175.
Presentations:
“Terrestrial conservation as a strategy for water quality protection in estuaries” Heffner, L.R. Poster presentation, Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) 2007 Project Meeting, Washington D.C. - May 2007. “Land conservation as a strategy for water quality protection in estuaries: estimating nutrient fluxes in the Wood-Pawcatuck River Watershed and recommendations for further conservation actions” Heffner, L.R. Oral presentation, Coastal Institute IGERT Project (CIIP) Spring Colloquium, URI - May 2007. “Nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activity and growth of Ulva lactuca in Waquoit Bay: A time sequence of responses to differences in nitrogen supply” Heffner, L.R., Teichberg, M., Fox, S. and I. Valiela. Oral presentation, MBL General Scientific Meeting, Woods Hole, MA - Aug 2004. “Effects of hypoxia on algal glutamine synthetase activity in coastal pond cores” Heffner, L.R. and A.M. Pregnall. Poster presentation, NEERS (New England Estuarine Research Society) meeting, Burlington, VT - March 2004. “Effects of anoxia and algal mats on nutrient release from coastal pond sediments” Heffner, L.R. and A.M. Pregnall. Poster presentation, ERF (Estuarine Research Federation), Seattle, WA - Sept 2003. “Effects of anoxia on algal photosynthesis and nutrient release from coastal pond sediments” Heffner, L.R. and A.M. Pregnall. Oral presentation, NEERS, New London, CT, Nov 2002.
