Earth Scientist
Earth Scientist

Biography

Noelani Boise joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL’s) Coastal Sciences Division at PNNL-Sequim in 2019 as a post bachelors research associate. Boise is a trained environmental microbiologist with over seven years of experience in academic and national labs focusing on microbiology, molecular biology, and restoration ecology. Her research at PNNL involves method development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for toxin analysis of harmful algal blooms, culturing techniques, maintenance of aquariums and various coral species, coastal and inland habitat restoration and monitoring, boat crew field activities, social justice and workplace equity, and science communication and outreach. She is involved with PNNL's STEM Ambassadors program and Prism as a volunteer and advocate.  

Prior to joining PNNL, Boise conducted research at the Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University. There she worked on the characterization, isolation, and enrichment of thermophiles from microbial communities in Yellowstone National Park and the isolation of thermo-stable enzymes from alkaline hot springs for bio-industrial waste degradation applications. She also conducted gas chromatography, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloning, imaging such as FISH and CARD-FISH, and genomic sequencing preparation, and developed fosmid libraries for the expression of novel enzymes and gained back-country fieldwork experience. 

Research Interest

  • Environmental Microbiology 
  • STEM Education
  • Environmental Restoration
  • Environmental and Social Justice

Disciplines and Skills

  • Community outreach
  • Cultivation
  • ELISAs
  • Enrichment
  • Environmental microbiology
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Fluorescence microscopy
  • Microscopy
  • Molecular microbiology
  • Non-profit volunteering
  • STEM education and outreach

Education

  • BS in Environmental Science and Biology, Montana State University, 2018
  • BA in Modern Language, Montana State University, 2018

Awards and Recognitions

  • Energy and Environment Directorate's (EED) Of the Year Award for Contributions in STEM, PNNL, 2022
  • Innovation in Research Team Award, EED, PNNL, 2021