Dr. H. Dail Laughinghouse

Associate Professor of Applied Phycology

Dr. Laughinghouse is a broadly trained phycologist working with both basic and applied algal research from Tropical to Polar Regions. His background includes systematics, ecology, HABs, cyanotoxins, phycoremediation, biofuels, metagenomics and metatranscriptomics of marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. Some of the current research in the Laughinghouse Lab focuses on diversity and toxicity of cyanobacteria, environmental influences on macroalgae and microbial photoautotrophs, novel applied uses for algae, bioremediation, and the detection and effects of bioactive compounds. Research on testing different algal treatment methods with the industry is ongoing in the lab where Dr. Laughinghouse uses different approaches, bridging chemistry, genetics, diversity, and environment. The Laughinghouse Lab is always welcome to new ideas and collaborative research

• Research

  Current research in the lab includes:

  • Inventorying aquatic algae in the State of Florida and beyond

  • Environmental triggers for blooms

  • Algae control and mitigation

  • Genomic studies of algae and toxins of terrestrial environments

• Extension

  Extension: 

  My extension program complements my research program. With data acquired through my research program, I am able to educate the public on what algae exist in Florida, their identification, and best management practices for control. Further, data acquired through my extension program feed into my research program, that I can in turn, use for extension. I provide leadership and expertise for statewide algal issues, verified by consultations around Florida.
  
  I work closely with county agents and regional specialized agents on water quality, algae and their management. We coordinate on my projects, maintain constant contact, and are an essential component in both my extension program areas. The ultimate goal of my program is to identify the algae present in Florida (especially South Florida) to educate the public and suggest best management practices (BMPs) for their growth, control and management.
  
  

  Currently, my extension program includes:

  • 1: Volunteer Algae Monitoring Program (VAMP) in the Indian River Lagoon estuary (Florida)

  • 2: Algae identification and management
• Lab Team
  • Dr. David Berthold - Biological Scientist III
    • dberthold@ufl.edu 
  • Dr. Max Barbosa - OPS Researcher
    • mbarbosa@ufl.edu 
  • Dr. Jessica Moretto - Post-Doctoral Associate
    • jessica.morettoa@ufl.edu 
  • Dr. Forrest Lefler - Post-Doctoral Associate
    • flefler@ufl.edu 
  • Meng Lin - MS student (SNRE/Interdisciplinary Ecology)
    • mlin2@ufl.edu 

• Education
  • Postdoc  Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD USA
  • Postdoc  The University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen Norway
  • Postdoc   Smith College, Northampton, MA USA
  • Postdoc   Université de Liège, Liège Belgium
  • Ph.D.   Marine, Estuarine and Environmental Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD USA 2012
  • B.S.   Biological Sciences, Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Cruz do Sul, RS Brazil  2007