Growing up in North Sea, a community on the Peconic Bay in Eastern Long Island, Ian Robinson witnessed the effects of water pollution firsthand. Lake Agawam, located in his hometown, is considered one of the most polluted lakes in New York.
“Lake Agawam was the inspiration for me joining the Gobler Lab,” said Robinson, now a graduate student at Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS).
The Gobler Laboratory is led by Christopher Gobler, a distinguished professor and endowed chair of coastal ecology and conservation at SoMAS. The lab studies how human activities such as climate change, nutrient enrichment from sources like outdated septic systems and fertilizers, and overfishing impact coastal ecosystems. The team also works to find ways to mitigate these impacts.
Robinson’s research focuses on how pollutants affect zooplankton populations such as Daphnia and Cladocera. He aims to understand their role in controlling harmful algal blooms through water conservation efforts.
“My focus has been working on blue-green algae, cyanobacteria, looking to see how different organisms affect it,” he said. “I’m also working on something called cladocerans. There are small crustaceans, zooplankton called daphnia, and I’m essentially seeing the impact of pollutants on the ability of these zooplankton to eat and control these harmful algae blooms.”
Robinson credits his upbringing on Long Island for sparking his interest in clean water.
“We’re surrounded by beaches, so the importance of water has always been part of my life,” said Robinson. “And that’s exactly what the Gobler Lab does — focus on the harmful algal blooms of Long Island. It was a perfect place for me.”
Long Island has seen repeated outbreaks of harmful algal blooms in its bays and estuaries. These events have sometimes reached record levels and can discolor water or produce toxins dangerous to marine life and humans.
Before enrolling at Stony Brook as an undergraduate student, Robinson met Greg Metzger—a marine science teacher at Southampton High School—who collaborates with Chris Paparo from Stony Brook’s Southampton Marine Science Center on shark research projects. Metzger also coordinates fieldwork for South Fork Natural History Museum’s shark program.
“That gave me my first glimpse that I can pursue this as a profession,” said Robinson. “And I’ve followed that path, pursuing marine science to where I was introduced to the Gobler Laboratory. It definitely guided me. I saw immediately that it aligned with my interests and that I could actively work on the local bodies of water that I cared about.”
Robinson began college taking classes both at Stony Brook University’s main campus and its Southampton location.
“I got a glimpse of what college life was like,” he said. “Unfortunately that was the COVID year. After that I took all my classes at the SoMAS Marine Station in Southampton. It’s a close-knit community and I was able to make friends and connections that I still have today.”
He earned his bachelor’s degree in marine biology before starting graduate studies toward a PhD in marine and atmospheric sciences at Southampton.
Though uncertain about his future career path after graduation, Robinson remains focused on improving water quality—possibly through coastal management or continued research—and is considering teaching as well.
“Marine sciences seek to understand the conditions affecting our waters and, through them, the functioning of our planet. The purpose of science is to preserve the benefits of today for the future, guided by past knowledge and the actions we take now,” Robinson said. He added: “I believe we should support the environment as well as protect our resources for humans as a follow-up plan. No matter which path I take, water quality is my goal.”
