Dr. Yuan Liu is a Fish Biologist and the Program Leader for environmental DNA (eDNA) at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) under NOAA Fisheries. She holds a Ph.D. in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences from Stony Brook University (2012), along with an M.S. in Environmental Science (2004) and a B.S. in Oceanography (2001), both from Xiamen University, China. Dr. Liu's research is at the forefront of using DNA-based molecular techniques, such as DNA fingerprinting, Sanger Sequencing, and Next Generation Sequencing, to investigate biodiversity, community structures, and the interactions between aquatic organisms and their environments.Her work in the eDNA program applies forensic science approaches to marine ecosystems, using eDNA metabarcoding to study shifts in species distribution due to climate change and wind energy development. She also combines eDNA with acoustic data to enhance species detection and quantification, supporting ecological management decisions. Additionally, her research spans beyond fish and marine mammals, expanding the use of eDNA technologies to a wider range of organisms. Dr. Liu’s pioneering work is transforming how marine ecosystems are monitored and understood, contributing significantly to the advancement of marine biology.

Abstract

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is playing an increasing role in the blue economy as a method for assessing marine biodiversity. This talk will focus on use of eDNA metabarcoding to characterize complex biological communities as part of research conducted by NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Yuan will present a case study where finfish communities were characterized using eDNA metabarcoding from sampled seawater collected at oyster aquaculture cage farms and on natural structured rock reef habitat in Long Island Sound. Yuan will also briefly discuss some ongoing eDNA sampling activities on the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf as part of a NOAA Fisheries Strategic Initiative that applies this technology to assessment of the northeast region’s living marine resources.