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- Detailed Information
Brett F. Branco
Associate Professor
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Location: 123 Ingersoll Hall Extension
Phone: 718.951.5000 x6441
Fax: 718.951.4753
Email:
Brett Branco began his academic career learning about the science of coastal environments, and the integration of science into public policy and resource management. During his PhD work, his interests expanded to include the dynamics of shallow lakes and ecological resilience with an emphasis on urban environments. After a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in Western Australia, he came to Brooklyn College to study the local urban waters and create experiential place-based learning opportunities for urban students. While serving as Associate Director of the Aquatic Research and Environmental Assessment Center, he became involved in the creation of the Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay where he is currently the Director.
Education:
Ph.D., University of Connecticut - 2007 (Oceanography)
B.S., University of Connecticut - 2000 (Coastal Studies)
Areas of Expertise:
Professor Branco's expertise is in urban environmental science with an emphasis on water quality in shallow lakes and estuaries. As Director of the Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay, his work has expanded to include climate adaptation and resilience in coastal waters and communities.
Books and Publications
Wijsman, K., N. Auyeung, P. Brashear, B. F. Branco, K. Graziano, P. M. Groffman, H. Cheng and D. Corbett. Operationalizing resilience: co-creating a framework to monitor hard, natural, and nature-based shoreline features in New York State. Ecology and Society, in press (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2021
Polanco, H., Hayes, S., Roble, C., Krupitsky, M. & Branco, B. The presence and significance of microplastics in surface water in the Lower Hudson River Estuary 2016-2019: A research note. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 161(A), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111702. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2020
Lamb, A.L., Kim, J.K., Yarish, C., and B.F. Branco. Identification of the bloom forming Ulva and macroalgal assemblage in Jamaica Bay, NY USA. Rhodora, Volume 120 (984) DOI: 10.3119/17-29. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2018
Rosenzweig, B., Groffman, P., Zarnoch, C., Branco, B., Hartig, E., Fitzpatrick, J., Forgione, H., and A. Parris. Nitrogen regulation by natural systems in 'unnatural' landscapes: denitrification in ultra-urban coastal ecosystems. Ecosystem Health and Sustainability. 4 (9): 205-224. DOI: 10.1080/20964129.2018.1527188. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2018
Adams, J.D. and B. Branco. Extending classrooms into parks through informal science learning and place-based eduation. In Patrick, P., Preparing informal science educators. Springer (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2017
Liu, Y., Cheng, Z., Branco B., and J. Marra. Speciation and mobility of phosphate in the eutrophic ponds at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York, USA. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection. 5 (6): 26-36. DOI: 10.4236/gep.2017.56004. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2017
Branco, B.F. and J. Waldman. "Resilience Practice in Urban Watersheds." In Sanderson, E., W. Solecki, J. Waldman and A. Parris. Prospects for Resilience: Insights from New York City's Jamaica Bay. Washington DC: Island Press. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2016
Portilla, S.E*. and B. F. Branco. 2016. Survival of juvenile northern quahogs during seasonal temperature decline likely a function of diet and NMI-fatty acid synthesis. Journal of Applied Aquaculture 28(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10454438.2016.1166169. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2016
Portilla, S.E., B.F. Branco and J.T. Tanacredi. "Preliminary investigation into the effects of two dietary fatty acids, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, on mortality of juvenile Mercenaria mercenaria during the approach to winter." Aquaculture International. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10499-015-9889-4. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2015
DeFelice, Amy, Jennifer D. Adams, Brett Branco and Pieranna Pieroni. "Engaging Underrepresented High School Students in an Urban Environmental and Geoscience Place-Based Curriculum." Journal of Geoscience Education 62.1, February: 49-60. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5408/12-400.1 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2014
Branco, B. and K. Lazarus. "Analysis of Existing Water Quality Monitoring Programs in Jamaica Bay." Report submitted to New York City Department of Environmental Protection. April 3. (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2013
Vaudrey, J.M.P, J.N. Kremer, B.F. Branco and F.T. Short. "Eelgrass Recovery After Nutrient Enrichment Reversal." Aquatic Botany 93.4, November: 237-43. DOI: 10.1016/j.aquabot.2010.08.005. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2010
Branco, B.F. and T. Torgersen. "Diurnal Sediment Resuspension and Settling: Impact on the Coupled Physical and Biogeochemical Dynamics of Dissolved Oxygen and Carbon in a Shallow Water Body." Marine and Freshwater Research 60: 669-79. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2009
Branco, B.F. and T. Torgersen. "Predicting the Onset of Thermal Stratification in Shallow Inland Water Bodies." Aquatic Science doi:10.1007/s00027-009-8063-3. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2009
Torgersen, T. and B. Branco. "Carbon and Oxygen Fluxes from a Small Pond to the Atmosphere: Temporal Variability and the CO2/O2 Imbalance." Water Resources Research 44, W02417, doi:10.1029/2006WR005634. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2008
Torgersen, T. and B. Branco. "Carbon and Oxygen Dynamics of Shallow Aquatic Systems: Process Vectors and Bacterial Productivity." Journal of Geophysical Research 112, G03016, doi:10.1029/2007JG000401. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2007
Branco, B., T. Torgersen, J.R. Bean, G. Grenier and D. Arbige. "A New Water Column Profiler for Shallow Aquatic Systems." Limnology and Oceanography--Methods 3: 190-202. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2005
Torgersen, T., B. Branco and J. Bean. "Chemical Retention Processes in Ponds." Environmental Engineering Science 21.2: 149-56. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2004
Awards, Honors and Fellowships
CUNY Interdisciplinary Climate Crisis Research Grant, for "Accelerating Climate Adaptation through Community Science, Technology, and Engagement." Ricardo Toledo-Crow, Emily Tumpson-Molina and Rebecca Boger, co-Principal Investigators. $40,000; 2020-21. (Grants and Fellowships) 2020
New York City Housing Recovery Office for "Flood Watch Services." Brett Branco, Principal Investigator. $50,000; 2020-21. (Grants and Fellowships) 2020
New York Community Trust, for "Cycles of Resilience" Oct 30, 2019 - Dec 31, 2020; $138,000 (Grants and Fellowships) 2019
National Science Foundation for "REU Site: Brooklyn Urban Ecology and Environment Program (BUEE)." Tony Wilson, co-Principal Investigator. $349,997; 2017-21. (Grants and Fellowships) 2017
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for "Resilient Schools Consortium (RiSC) Project." Oct 1, 2016 - Sep 30, 2019; $498,570. (Grants and Fellowships) 2016
National Park Service (Northeast Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit), for "Detecting Water Quality Regime Shifts in Jamaica Bay." Principal investigator. $282,998; Sept. 11, 2014 - Sept. 10, 2016. (Grants and Fellowships) 2014
National Center for Science and Civic Engagement, for "Sentinels of Shoreline Change: A Citizen Science Field Observation Program." B. Branco and J. Adams, co-principal investigators. May 7, 2013 - Aug. 31, 2015; $50,000. (Grants and Fellowships) 2013
National Park Service (Northeast Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit), for "Response of Benthic Infauna to Marsh Restoration." Principal investigator. July 25, 2013 - June 30, 2016; $32,428. (Grants and Fellowships) 2013
Hudson River Fund, for "The Influence of Oyster Restoration on Nitrogen Cycling in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary." T. Hoellein, C. Zarnoch, B. Branco and D. Bruesewitz, co-principal investigators. $122,580; June 2011-June 2012. (Grants and Fellowships) 2011
PSC-CUNY Research Award, for "Diurnal Cycles of Sediment Resuspension in Prospect Park Lake." $3,407; July 2011 - June 2012. (Grants and Fellowships) 2011
Bridges Across Brooklyn Fellowship, Center for Teaching at Brooklyn College, for the development of a place-based curriculum for a geology Core Curriculum course. (Grants and Fellowships) 2010
National Science Foundation OEDG Planning Grant, for "Partnership for a Place-Based Geoscience Experience for Urban Students." B. Branco, principal investigator; J. Adams, R. Boger, E. Miele and W. Powell, co-principal investigators). $36,650; April 2010-March 2011. (Grants and Fellowships) 2010
Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums
"Before the Storm: The Rush to Resilience." New England Estuarine Research Society Fall 2014 Meeting. Groton, Conn., Oct. 16-18. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014
Cassone, C.F. J. Willis and B.F. Branco. "A Comparison of Sediment Properties Amongst Natural and Restored Salt Marshes in Jamaica Bay, NY." New England Estuarine Research Society Fall Meeting. Groton, Conn. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2014
Lamb, A.L., L.M. Anderson, H.S. Sioux, and B.F. Branco. "A unialgal culturing method for Ulva spp. for use in mesocosm experiments." New England Estuarine Research Society Fall Meeting. Groton, Conn. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2014
Sioux, H.D., A.L. Lamb and B.F. Branco. "Nitrate uptake rate of an opportunistic macroalgae, Ulva Compressa, peaks at an enriched media concentration." New England Estuarine Research Society Fall Meeting. Groton, Conn. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2014
Branco, B., C. Zarnoch, M. Hassett, T. Hoellein and D. Bruesewitz. "Hydrodynamic Influences on Nitrogen Cycling at a Restored Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Reef in a Eutrophic Estuary." New England Estuarine Research Society. Portland, Maine. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2013
Hassett, M.C., T.J. Hoellein, C.B. Zarnoch, D.A. Bruesewitz, B.F. Branco and W.S. Gardner. "The Influence of the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) on Nitrogen Cycling in a Eutrophic Estuary." Society for Freshwater Science. Jacksonville, Fla. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2013
Hassett, M.C., T.J. Hoellein, C.B. Zarnoch, D.A. Bruesewitz, B.F. Branco and W.S. Gardner. "The Influence of the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Reef Restoration on Nitrogen Cycling in an Urban Estuary." Society of Freshwater Science Annual Meeting. Louisville, Ky., May 20-24. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2012
"Linking Physical and Chemical Dynamics in Shallow Lakes." 21st Annual Symposium of the Grupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie, Station de biologie des Laurentides. St-Hippolyte, Canada, March 3-5. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011
DeFelice, A., J. Adams, B. Branco, M. Foster and I. Akohoho. "Development of an Urban Environmental and Geoscience Place-based Curriculum Using Cogenerative Dialogue" [abstract]. Proceedings of the 2011 Annual International Conference of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching. Orlando, Fla., April 3-6. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2011
Lamb, A.R. Boger and B. Branco. "Analyzing the Trends of Water Quality Indicators iin Jamaica Bay, NY." Spring Meeting of the New England Estuarine Research Society. Port Jefferson, N.Y., May 5-7. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2011
Lui, N., M. Christiano, B. Branco and R. Boger. "Visualizing Water Quality Data From an Urban Estuary With ArcGIS 10." 26th Annual Northeast Arc Users Group Conference. Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Nov. 13-16. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2011
Aquino, A., T. Minott, L. Oquendo, Z. Rosch, B. Branco and R. Boger. "GIS Analysis of 30 Years of Water Quality Data at Gateway National Recreation Area: An Undergraudate Research Project." Geological Society of America Abstracts With Programs 42.5: 457. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2010
Dabreo, K. and B.F. Branco. "Erosion and Accretion of Sediment at Plumb Beach in the Gateway National Recreation Area." Northeastern Section (45th Annual) and Southeastern Section (59th Annual) Joint Meeting. March 13-16. Geological Society of America Abstracts With Programs 42.1: 141. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2010
Ying Liu, Y., Z. Cheng, B. Branco and J. Marra. "Phosphorus Dynamics in Prospect Park Ponds, New York City." ASLO Aquatic Sciences Summer Conference. Santa Fe, N.M. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2010
Powell, W., R. Boger, B. Branco and L. Yarrow. "Place-Based Initiatives for Urban Students of Introductory Geoscience Courses in Brooklyn." 2009 Portland GSA Annual Meeting. Oct. 18-21. Geological Society of America Abstracts With Programs 41.7: 490. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2009
Branco, B. and C. Oldham. "Vertical Mass Exchange across Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Canopies Using a New Eddy Correlation Method." ASLO Ocean Sciences Meeting. Orlando, Fla. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2008
Branco, B.F. and T. Torgersen. "Modelling Thermal Structure and Vertical Eddy Diffusivity in Ponds with the Princeton Ocean Model, Eos Trans. AGU, 85(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract H41F-0345. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2004
Professional Leadership
President, New England Estuarine Research Society (2020-2022) (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2020
co-Chair, Water Quality Working Group, NY/NJ Harbor and Estuary Program. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2018
President-elect, New England Estuarine Research Society (2018-2020) (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2018
Technical Advisory Committee, NY/NJ Harbor and Estuary Program (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2017
Member, Advisory Committee, First College Year Program at Brooklyn College. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2011
Member, Executive Board, Roberta S. Matthews Center for Teaching. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2011
Other Professional Activities
Founding Executive Council member, Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay, 2013 - present. 2013
Member, Long Island Sound Technical Advisory Committee, 2012 - present. 2012
