Patricia “Pat” Tester
NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories
Interviews with retired staff of NOAA Beaufort Lab, documenting their academic background, career path, research focus, and reflections on their work in the lab.
Dr. Pat Tester, a respected figure in the field of oceanography, has dedicated her career to studying and understanding marine ecosystems. Growing up in Oklahoma, her love for the natural world led her to pursue a Bachelor's Degree at California State University at Sonoma in 1972. Seeking further specialization, she obtained her Master's Degree in Oceanography from Oregon State University in 1976 and went on to complete her Ph.D. in the same field at OSU in 1983. In 1976, Dr. Tester came to Beaufort, North Carolina, where she joined the Duke University Marine Laboratory under the guidance of Dr. John Costlow. Working at the Beaufort Lab, she initially contributed to the Reef Fish Program during the late 1970s. Her dedication and expertise led her to lead a team of scientists in 1987, who identified and studied the first-ever recorded red tide event along the coastal regions of North Carolina. Throughout the 1990s, Dr. Tester's team at the Beaufort Lab conducted groundbreaking research, dispelling myths surrounding the dinoflagellate Pfiesteria. Their findings played a crucial role in clarifying misconceptions and enhancing understanding of this important microorganism. Additionally, her group focused on studying the causes of ciguatera poisoning in fishes within the Caribbean and southeastern U.S., shedding light on this harmful phenomenon.Dr. Pat Tester retired from the Beaufort Laboratory in 2013.
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