September 2024 was one of our most exciting field seasons ever!
We have been using eDNA technology for five years, but every single water sample up until now has been collected by hand in Shinnecock Bay, put on ice, transported to Stony Brook University's main campus, and then filtered and extracted in a laboratory before being sent off for genetic analysis.
Working with Open Ocean Robotics and McLane Laboratories, we integrated new technologies to facilitate a remotely piloted USV to autonomously collect eDNA samples all around Shinnecock Bay, in areas we have never before sampled.
This technology is promising in many ways -- it's non-invasive, solar-powered and climate friendly, and can take samples during both day and night. Newsday and WSHU covered the expedition in the following stories:
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