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Lisa Reynolds Fogarty

Lisa Fogarty is the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program Manager with the Environmental Health Program in the Ecosystems Mission Area with USGS.

As the program manager for the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, provides technical expertise and advises science for the Environmental Health program in a broad spectrum of activities that address contaminant and pathogen sources, environmental transport,

Environmental Health Program

Collage of images showing Environmental Health activities

The Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology) supports integrated natural science expertise and capabilities across the USGS related to environmental contaminants and pathogens.  This science informs stakeholder decisions to manage fish and wildlife health and provides environmental exposure information to partners in public health.

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GeoHEALTH Newsletter

USGS GeoHEALTH logo with globe

The GeoHEALTH–USGS Newsletter provides information on new USGS science activities pertinent to safeguarding the health of fish, wildlife, domesticated animals, livestock, and people from environmental exposures to contaminants and pathogens.

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Lisa Fogarty has worked with the U.S. Geological Survey for over 25 years, conducting and coordinating studies and research to improve the understanding and management of environmental health challenges, providing insights that can inform policies and public health efforts, including:

• Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): Looking into the causes and toxins associated with algal blooms that can impact health and ecosystems.

• Pathogen Dynamics: Exploring the occurrence, fate, and transport of various pathogens in different environments.

• Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Examining the presence and implications of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

• Chemical Contaminants: Investigating the effects of harmful chemical substances in natural water systems.

Professional Experience

  • Before her role as a Program Manager with Environmental Health, Lisa was the Center Science Officer for the Upper Midwest Water Science Center. In this position, she coordinated interdisciplinary water resource science in the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi Basins, promoting collaboration among various stakeholders to tackle important water resource issues.

Education and Certifications

  • B.S. in Microbiology from Michigan State University

Science and Products

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Two whooping cranes walking through a marsh

Increasing Efficiency During the Life Cycle of Energy Development: Key Strategies for Improving the Utilization of Our Nation's Energy Resources

Energy development is critical to American energy independence and provides economic benefits to local communities. Scientific information is needed to aid in the sustainable development of energy resources. Sustainable energy development can include strategies for protecting environmental health and ecological services that benefit local communities. The USGS Environmental Health Program, Energy...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Energy and Mineral Resources Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Increasing Efficiency During the Life Cycle of Energy Development: Key Strategies for Improving the Utilization of Our Nation's Energy Resources

Energy development is critical to American energy independence and provides economic benefits to local communities. Scientific information is needed to aid in the sustainable development of energy resources. Sustainable energy development can include strategies for protecting environmental health and ecological services that benefit local communities. The USGS Environmental Health Program, Energy...
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Draining mines

Life Cycle of Critical Minerals: A Balanced Approach to Meeting Our Nation's Resource Demands

Critical minerals are essential to the Nation’s economy and security. Demand for critical minerals is increasing, and it is essential to balance the societal need for these minerals with efforts to understand the effects of mining on other natural resources and to develop techniques to minimize these effects. The USGS Minerals Resources Life Cycle Integrated Science Team (IST) focuses on the life...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Energy and Mineral Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Mineral Resources Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
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Life Cycle of Critical Minerals: A Balanced Approach to Meeting Our Nation's Resource Demands

Critical minerals are essential to the Nation’s economy and security. Demand for critical minerals is increasing, and it is essential to balance the societal need for these minerals with efforts to understand the effects of mining on other natural resources and to develop techniques to minimize these effects. The USGS Minerals Resources Life Cycle Integrated Science Team (IST) focuses on the life...
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Integrated Environmental Health Science

Environmental Health: Science to Support Natural Resource Use

The Environmental Health Program integrates multi-disciplinary research to tackle the environmental challenges that impact the nation's natural resource assets. By providing comprehensive research and data, the program assesses both actual and perceived risks associated with environmental contaminants and pathogens while supporting variety of uses of our natural resources.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Environmental Health: Science to Support Natural Resource Use

The Environmental Health Program integrates multi-disciplinary research to tackle the environmental challenges that impact the nation's natural resource assets. By providing comprehensive research and data, the program assesses both actual and perceived risks associated with environmental contaminants and pathogens while supporting variety of uses of our natural resources.
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Cyanobacterial Accumulation at Binder Lake, Iowa

Toxins and Harmful Algal Blooms Science Team

The team develops advanced methods to study factors driving algal toxin production, how and where wildlife or humans are exposed to toxins, and ecotoxicology. That information is used to develop decision tools to understand if ​toxin exposure leads to adverse health effects in order to protect human and wildlife health.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Toxins and Harmful Algal Blooms Science Team

The team develops advanced methods to study factors driving algal toxin production, how and where wildlife or humans are exposed to toxins, and ecotoxicology. That information is used to develop decision tools to understand if ​toxin exposure leads to adverse health effects in order to protect human and wildlife health.
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Ripples on Lake Richie near Portage Trail at Isle Royale National Park with tree growing strangely over water.

Determination of Algal Toxin Concentrations in Surface Waters at National Parks

The U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the National Park Service began a project in 2012 exploring levels of the algal toxins in surface drinking water and recreational waters in 3 National Park Service Parks: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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Determination of Algal Toxin Concentrations in Surface Waters at National Parks

The U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the National Park Service began a project in 2012 exploring levels of the algal toxins in surface drinking water and recreational waters in 3 National Park Service Parks: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
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Screenshot of the Michigan Lake Water Clarity Interactive Map Viewer

Estimating Lake Water Clarity

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), use a technique modeled after Olmanson and others (2001) to predict water clarity and corresponding trophic state index (TSI) values based on the Carlson's Trophic State Index (TSI) in inland lakes greater than 20 acres using satellite remote sensing data. Measurements from the...
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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Estimating Lake Water Clarity

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), use a technique modeled after Olmanson and others (2001) to predict water clarity and corresponding trophic state index (TSI) values based on the Carlson's Trophic State Index (TSI) in inland lakes greater than 20 acres using satellite remote sensing data. Measurements from the...
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Ten people lined up smiling in front of posters at a conference
Great Lakes Area of Concern Conference 2023 Upper Midwest WSC attendees
Great Lakes Area of Concern Conference 2023 Upper Midwest WSC attendees
Ten people lined up smiling in front of posters at a conference

Great Lakes Area of Concern Conference 2023 Upper Midwest WSC attendees

Great Lakes Area of Concern Conference 2023 Upper Midwest WSC attendees

Upper Midwest Water Science Center employees who attended the Great Lakes Area of Concern Conference 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

(L to R): Hayley Olds, Grace Armstrong, Sarah Janssen, Leon Katona, Lisa Fogarty, Jeannette Cruz, Kayla Lockmiller, Tori Byers, Alexei Rose, Isaac Mevis

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Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Ten people lined up smiling in front of posters at a conference

Great Lakes Area of Concern Conference 2023 Upper Midwest WSC attendees

Great Lakes Area of Concern Conference 2023 Upper Midwest WSC attendees

Upper Midwest Water Science Center employees who attended the Great Lakes Area of Concern Conference 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

(L to R): Hayley Olds, Grace Armstrong, Sarah Janssen, Leon Katona, Lisa Fogarty, Jeannette Cruz, Kayla Lockmiller, Tori Byers, Alexei Rose, Isaac Mevis

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Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 23

Interdisciplinary science approach for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey

Executive SummaryAlgal blooms in water, soils, dusts, and the environment have captured national attention because of concerns associated with exposure to algal toxins for humans and animals. Algal blooms naturally occur in all surface-water types and are important primary producers for aquatic ecosystems. However, excessive algae growth can be associated with many harmful effects...
Authors
Victoria G. Christensen, Christopher J. Crawford, Robert J. Dusek, Michael J. Focazio, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Jennifer L. Graham, Celeste A. Journey, Mari E. Lee, James H. Larson, Sarah M. Stackpoole, Viviana Mazzei, Emily Pindilli, Barnett Rattner, E. Terrence Slonecker, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy J. Reilly, Ashley K Lopez
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Kansas Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Landsat Missions

Role of trace metal co-limitation in cyanobacterial blooms of Maumee Bay (Lake Erie) and Green Bay (Lake Michigan)

The open waters of large lakes can sometimes become so depleted in important metals that phytoplankton communities become either growth limited or limited in some metabolic function. Metals such as Fe, Ni, Mo, and Zn are used as co-factors for enzymes by phytoplankton in core metabolic functions, as well as metabolic pathways that allow phytoplankton to use less preferred forms of N and...
Authors
James H. Larson, Keith Loftin, Erin Stelzer, David M. Costello, Sean Bailey, Mary Anne Evans, Carrie E Givens, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory

Understanding sources and distribution of Escherichia coli at Lake St. Clair Metropark Beach, Macomb County, Michigan

Lake St. Clair Metropark Beach (LSCMB) in Michigan is a public beach near the mouth of the Clinton River that has a history of beach closures for public health concerns. The Clinton River is designated as a Great Lakes Area of Concern, and the park has a Beneficial Use Impairment for beach closings because of elevated Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations. The U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Jessica A. Maurer, Ian M. Hyslop, Alexander R. Totten, Christopher M. Kephart, Angela K. Brennan
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory

Temporal trends in water-quality constituent concentrations and annual loads of chemical constituents in Michigan watersheds, 1998–2013

In 1998, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Geological Survey began the Water Chemistry Monitoring Program for select streams in the State of Michigan. Objectives of this program were to provide assistance with (1) statewide water-quality assessments, (2) the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting process, and (3) water-resource management...
Authors
Christopher J. Hoard, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Joseph W. Duris
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Detection of microcystin and other cyanotoxins in lakes at Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, northern Michigan, 2012–13

Although cyanotoxins released during algal blooms have become an increasing concern in surface waters across the United States, the presence of cyanotoxins in northern Michigan lakes had not been evaluated in detail. The U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service (NPS) led a 2-year study (2012 and 2013) to determine the presence of microcystin and other algal toxins in several...
Authors
Lori M. Fuller, Angela K. Brennan, Lisa R. Fogarty, Keith Loftin, Heather E. Johnson, David D. VanderMeulen, Brenda Moraska Lafrancois
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Factors associated with the deposition of Cladophora on Lake Michigan beaches in 2012

Deposition of the macroalgae Cladophora spp. was monitored on 18 beaches around Lake Michigan during 2012 at a high temporal frequency. We observed a high degree of spatial variability in Cladophora deposition among beaches on Lake Michigan, even within local regions, with no clear regional pattern in the intensity of Cladophora deposition. A strong seasonal pattern in Cladophora...
Authors
Stephen Riley, Taaja R. Tucker, Jean Adams, Lisa R. Fogarty, Brenda Moraska Lafrancois
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Great Lakes Science Center

Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) at ambient freshwater beaches

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are a threat to human health worldwide, and although detected at marine beaches, they have been largely unstudied at freshwater beaches. Genes indicating S. aureus (SA; femA) and methicillin resistance (mecA) were detected at 11 and 12 of 13 US Great Lakes beaches and in 18% or 27% of 287 recreational water samples, respectively. Eight...
Authors
Lisa R. Fogarty, Sheridan K. Haack, Heather E. Johnson, Angela K. Brennan, Natasha M. Isaacs, Chelsea Spencer
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Genes indicative of zoonotic and swine pathogens are persistent in stream water and sediment following a swine manure spill

Manure spills to streams are relatively frequent, but no studies have characterized stream contamination with zoonotic and veterinary pathogens, or fecal chemicals, following a spill. We tested stream water and sediment over 25 days and downstream for 7.6 km for: fecal indicator bacteria (FIB); the fecal indicator chemicals cholesterol and coprostanol; 20 genes for zoonotic and swine...
Authors
Sheridan K. Haack, Joseph W. Duris, Dana W. Kolpin, Lisa R. Fogarty, Heather E. Johnson, Kristen E. Gibson, Michael J. Focazio, Kellogg J. Schwab, Laura E. Hubbard, William T. Foreman
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Practitioners' views of science needs for the Great Lakes coastal ecosystem

In 2014, the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lake Science Center (USGS-GLSC) and the USGS-Michigan Water Science Center partnered with the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) to conduct a series of four workshops with coastal practitioners and managers across the Great Lakes basin to highlight the need for, and get input on, a Great Lakes regional coastal science strategy. To this end, this report...
Authors
Victoria Pebbles, Elizabath C. Lillard, Paul Seelbach, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Great Lakes Science Center

Bacterial pathogen gene abundance and relation to recreational water quality at seven Great Lakes beaches

Quantitative assessment of bacterial pathogens, their geographic variability, and distribution in various matrices at Great Lakes beaches are limited. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to test for genes from E. coli O157:H7 (eaeO157), shiga-toxin producing E. coli (stx2), Campylobacter jejuni (mapA), Shigella spp. (ipaH), and a Salmonella enterica-specific (SE) DNA sequence at seven Great...
Authors
Ryan J. Oster, Rasanthi U. Wijesinghe, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Sheridan K. Haack, Lisa R. Fogarty, Taaja R. Tucker, Stephen Riley
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Geographic setting influences Great Lakes beach microbiological water quality

Understanding of factors that influence Escherichia coli (EC) and enterococci (ENT) concentrations, pathogen occurrence, and microbial sources at Great Lakes beaches comes largely from individual beach studies. Using 12 representative beaches, we tested enrichment cultures from 273 beach water and 22 tributary samples for EC, ENT, and genes indicating the bacterial pathogens Shiga-toxin...
Authors
Sheridan K. Haack, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Erin Stelzer, Lori M. Fuller, Angela K. Brennan, Natasha M. Isaacs, Heather E. Johnson
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

A conceptual framework for Lake Michigan coastal/nearshore ecosystems, with application to Lake Michigan Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) objectives

The Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs) within the Great Lakes region are examples of broad-scale, collaborative resource-management efforts that require a sound ecosystems approach. Yet, the LaMP process is lacking a holistic framework that allows these individual actions to be planned and understood within the broader context of the Great Lakes ecosystem. In this paper we (1) introduce a...
Authors
Paul Seelbach, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, David Bunnell, Sheridan K. Haack, Mark W. Rogers
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Great Lakes Science Center

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