Mote Marine Laboratory

Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick joined the lab in 1999 and started the Environmental Health Program in 2001. She is currently the manager for the Environmental Health Program and a senior scientist. Barbara is a licensed respiratory therapist and prior to joining Mote was an assistant professor at Manatee Community College.
Dr. Kirkpatrick's primary research focus is on the human respiratory effects of the Florida red tide. Dr. Kirkpatrick collaborates with investigators from seven institutions nationwide and together they have more than 100 publications reporting their research findings on the Florida red tide toxic aerosols. She is committed to providing accurate and timely information regarding Florida red tide and red tide research to the public.

EdD, University of Sarasota, Sarasota, FL, Ed. Leadership
MEd, Health Occup. Ed, N. Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
AS, Respiratory care, Durham Technical Institute, Durham, NC
BS, Biology, N. Mich. University, Marquette, MI Imperial

Kirkpatrick, B, Bean, JA, Fleming, LE, Kirkpatrick, GJ, Grief, L, Nirenberg, K, Reich, A, Watkins, S, Naar, J. 2010. Gastrointestinal emergency room admissions and Florida red tide blooms.  Harmful Algae, 9 (1), p.82-86.

Kirkpatrick, B, Pierce, R, Henry, MS, Blum, P, Osborn, S, Nierenberg, K, Pederson, BA, Fleming, LE, Cheng, YS, Reich, A, Naar, J, Baden, D, and Backer, LC. 2010. Inland Transport of Aerosolized Florida Red Tides. . 9 (2), p.186-189

Backer, L, McNeel, SV, Barber, T, Kirkpatrick, B, Williams, C, Irvin, M, Zhou, Y, Johnson, TB, Nierenberg, K, Aubel, M, LePrell, R, Chapman, A, Foss, A, Corum, S, Hill, V, Kieszak, SM, Cheng, YS. 2010.  Recreational Exposure to microcystins during algal blooms in Two California lakes.  Toxicon, 55, 909-921.

Nierenberg, K, Reich, A, Currier, R, Kirkpatrick, B, Backer, LC, Stumpf, R, Fleming, L, Kirkpatrick, G. 2009.  Beaches and HABs: Successful Expansion of the Florida Red tide Reporting System for Protection of Public Health through Community Education and Outreach. Fl Journal of Environmental Health, Summer, p. 18-23.

Fleming, LE, Bean, JA, Kirkpatrick, B, Cheng, YS, Pierce, R, Naar, J, Nierenberg, K, Backer, LC, Wanner, A, Reich, A, Zhou, Y, Watkins, S, Henry, M, Zaias, J, Abraham, WM, Benson, J, Cassedy, A, Hollenbeck, J, Kirkpatrick, G, Clarke, T, Baden, D. 2009.  Exposure and Effect Assessment of Aerosolized Red Tide Toxins (Brevetoxins) in Asthma.  Env. Health. Perspect. Vol 117:7, 1095-1100

Hoagland, P, Jin, D, Polansky, L, Kirkpatrick, B, Kirkpatrick, G, Fleming, L, Reich, A, Watkins, S, Ulmann, S, Backer, L.  2009. The Costs of Respiratory Illnesses Arising from Florida Gulf Coast Karenia brevis Blooms.  Environmental Health Perspectives, 117:8, p. 1239-1243.

Kuhar, S, Nierenberg, K, Kirkpatrick, B, Tobin, G. 2009.  Public Perception of Florida Red Tide Risks. Risk Analysis, 29:7, p. 963-969.

Stumpf, R, Tomlinson, M, Calkins, J, Kirkpatrick, B, Fisher, K, Nierenberg, K, Currier, R, and Wynne, T. 2009. Skill Assessment for an Operational Algal Bloom Forecast System.  Journal of Marine Systems, 76, 151-161.

Kirkpatrick, B, Currier, R, Nierenberg, K, Reich, A, Backer, L, Stumpf, R, Fleming, L, Kirkpatrick, G. 2008. Florida Red Tides and Human Health: A Pilot Beach Conditions Reporting System to Minimize Human Exposure.  Science of the Total Environment, Vol 402:1, 1-8.

Backer, LC, Carmichael, W, Kirkpatrick, B, Williams, C, Irvin, M, Zhou, M. Johnson, T,  Nierenberg, K, Hill, Vr, Kieszak, SM, Cheng, YS. 2008. Recreational exposure to microcystins during a Microcystis aeruginosa bloom in a small lake. Marine Drugs, 6(2): 389-406.

Steidinger, KA, Jandsberg, JH, Flewelling, LJ, Kirkpatrick, B A. Toxic Dinoflagellates. In: Walsh, P.J., S.L. Smith, L.E. Fleming, H. Solo-Gabriele, W.H. Gerwick (eds.) 2008. Oceans and Human Health: Risks and Remedies from the Sea, Elsevier Science Publishers, New York. 239-256.

Fleming, LE, Jerez, E, Stephan, W, Cassedy, A, Bean, JA, Reich, A, Kirkpatrick, B, Backer, L, Nierenberg, K, Watkins, S, Hollenbeck, J, Weisman, R. 2007.  Evaluation of Harmful Algal Bloom Outreach Activities. Marine Drugs 5, 208-219.

Cheng, YS, Zhou, Y, Irwin, CM, Kirkpatrick, B, and Backer, LC.  2007. Characterization of Aerosols Containing Microcystin.  Marine Drugs, 5, 136-150

Milian, A, Nierenberg, K, Fleming, LE, Bean, JA, Wanner, A, Reich, A, Backer, LC, Jayroe, D, Kirkpatrick, B. 2007. Reported Asthma Symptom Intensity during Exposure to Aerosolized Florida Red Tide Toxins. Journal of Asthma, 44:583-587.

Fleming LE, Kirkpatrick B, Backer LC, Bean JA, Wanner A, Reich A, Dalpra D, Zaias J, Cheng YS, Pierce R, Naar J, Abraham WM, Baden DG. 2007.  Aerosolized Red-Tide Toxins (Brevetoxins) and Asthma. Chest;131(1):187-194.

Kirkpatrick, B, Fleming, LE,Backer, LC, Bean, JA, Tamer, R, Kirkpatrick, G, Kane, T, Wanner, A, Dalpra, D Reich, A,  Baden, DG2006, Environmental exposures to Florida Red Tides:  Effects on Emergency Room Respiratory Diagnoses Admissions. Harmful Algae (5) 526-533.

Pierce, R, Henry, MS, Blum, PC, Hamel, SL, Kirkpatrick, B, Cheng, YS,  Zhou, Y, Irvin, CM, Naar, J, Weidner, A, Fleming, LE, Backer, LC and Baden, DG. 2005. Brevetoxin composition in water and marine aerosol along a Florida beach: Assessing potential human exposure to marine biotoxins.  Harmful Algae, Volume 4, Issue 6 : 965-972.

Backer, LC, Rodgers, H, Fleming, LE, Kirkpatrick, B, Benson, J.  2005 Toxins in Food: Marine Phycotoxins ,(Eds) J. Dabrowski, W. and Sikorski, Z. CRC Press. 155-189.

Backer LC, Kirkpatrick B, Fleming LE, Cheng YS, Pierce R, Bean JA, Clark R, Johnson D, Wanner, A, Tamer R, Baden D. Occupational Exposure to Aerosolized Brevetoxins during Florida Red Tide Events: Impacts on a Healthy Worker Population. Environmental Health Perspectives 2005;113(5):644-649.

Fleming LE, Kirkpatrick B, Backer LC, Bean JA, Wanner A, Dalpra D, Tamer R, Zaias J, Cheng YS, Pierces R, Naar J, Abraham W, Clark R, Zhou Y, Henry MS, Johnson D, Van de Bogart G, Bossart GD, Harrington M, Baden DG. Initial Evaluation of the Effects of Aerosolized Florida Red Tide Toxins (Brevetoxins) in Persons with Asthma. Environmental Health Perspectives 2005;113(5): 650-657.

Cheng, YS, Zhou, Y, Irvin, CM, Pierce, R, Naar, J, Backer, LC, Fleming, LE, Kirkpatrick, B, Baden, D. Characterization of Marine Aerosol for Assessment of Human Exposure to Brevetoxins. . Environmental Health Perspectives 2005;113(5): 638-643.

Baden, DG, Bossart, G, Cheng, YS, Benson, J, Fleming, L,  Zaias, J, Backer, L, Bourdelais, A, Naar, J, Pierce, R, Kirkpatrick, B. 2004. Effects of Inhaled Florida Red Tide Brevetoxins: An Interdisciplinary Study in Oceans and Human Health.  Harmful Algae Vol.3, 3, p.190.

Dalpra, D, Kirkpatrick, B, Fleming, L. 2004.  Pin the Part on the Dinoflagellate: A Hands on Learning Activity. Harmful Algae Vol.3, 3, p.199.

Fleming, LE, Kirkpatrick, B, Stephan, W, Backer, L, Clark, R, Dalpra, D, Weisman, R, Van De Bogart, G. 2004.  Public Outreach materials Regarding Harmful Algal Blooms and their Possible Effects on Human Health. Harmful Algae Vol.3, 3, p.204.

Kirkpatrick, B, Connor, J, Steidinger, K. 2004.  Development and Dissemination of a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) Card about the Florida Red Tide, Karenia brevis. Harmful Algae Vol.3, 3, p.219.

Quirino, W., Fleming, LE, Weisman, R, Backer, LC, Kirkpatrick, B, Clark, R, Dalpra, D, Van De Bogart, G, Gaines, M. 2004. Journal of Environmental Health. Follow-Up Study of Florida Red Tide-Associated Respiratory Illness.186; 18-22.

Kirkpatrick, B, Fleming, L.E., Squicciarini, D., Backer, L.C., Clark, R.C., Abraham^, W., Benson, J., Cheng, Y.S., Johnson, D.,Pierce, R.,Zaias, J., Bossart, G.D., Baden, D.G. 2003. Literature Review of Florida Red Tide: Implications for Human Health Effects. Harmful Algae, Vol. 3, 2, p.99-115.

Fleming, L.E., Backer,L.C., Kirkpatrick, B., Clark, R., Dalpra, D., Johnson,D., Bean, J.A., Cheng, Y.S., Benson, J., Squicciarrini, D., Abraham, W.M., Pierce, R., Zaias, J., Naar, J., Weisman, R., Bossart,G., Campbell, S., Wanner, A., Harrington, M., Van De Bogart^, G, Baden, D.G. An Epidemiologic Approach to the Study of Aerosolized Florida Red Tides. In: Harmful Algae 2002. Proceedings of the Xth International Conference on Harmful Algae. Steidinger KA, Landsberg JH, Tomas CR, Vargo GA (eds). Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, 2003.

Kirkpatrick, B, Colbert, D.E., Dalpra, D., Newton, E.A.C., Gaspard, J., Littlefield, B., Manire, C. Florida Red Tides, Manatee Brevetoxicosis, and Lung Models. In: Harmful Algae 2002. Proceedings of the Xth International Conference on Harmful Algae. Steidinger KA, Landsberg JH, Tomas CR, Vargo GA (eds). Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, 2003.

Kirkpatrick, B., Fleming, L.E., Henry, M.S., Clark, R.D., Backer, L.C. The Use of Electronic Media to Educate and Communicate with the Public During a Harmful Algal Bloom. In: Harmful Algae 2002. Proceedings of the Xth International Conference on Harmful Algae. Steidinger KA, Landsberg JH, Tomas CR, Vargo GA (eds). Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, 2003.

Kirkpatrick, B., Hautamaki, R., Kane, T., Henry, M. A pilot study to explore the occupational exposure to Gymnodinium
brevetoxin and pulmonary function. G.M.Hallegraeff, C.J. Bolch, S.I. Blackburn & R.J.Lewis (eds). Harmful Algal Blooms 2000. Proceedings 9th Int.Conf. Harmful Algal Blooms. IOC of UNESCO, Paris 2001: 447-450.

Department: Directorate of Environmental Health & Ocean Technology