Biographical Sketch
Dr. Quay Dortch, a distinguished marine scientist, has made significant contributions to the study of harmful algal blooms (HABs), coastal hypoxia, and nutrient cycling. Born in Richmond, Virginia, she spent her early years moving frequently due to her father’s job, eventually settling in Washington, D.C., where she was exposed to a diverse cultural and academic environment. Her interest in science was sparked in high school, particularly through the influence of a charismatic biology teacher. Dortch pursued her undergraduate studies at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and went on to earn her M.S. in chemistry from Indiana University and her Ph.D. in oceanography at the University of Washington. Her early research focused on phytoplankton nutrient uptake, and she later shifted her focus to hypoxia and harmful algal blooms. Her career took her to the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Maine, and then the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), where she played a key role in shaping the institution’s research focus. Her work at LUMCON contributed to foundational research on nutrient dynamics in the Mississippi River plume and the presence of HABs in Louisiana waters. In 2003, Dortch joined NOAA as a program manager, overseeing the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (ECOHAB) program. She played a central role in shaping national research priorities on HABs, advocating for funding, and engaging in congressional briefings that informed policymakers on environmental and public health risks. She was instrumental in the reauthorization of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA) and the development of an additional program, the Prevention, Control, and Mitigation of HABs (PCMHAB). Her leadership extended to implementing the HAB Event Response Program and coordinating rapid research initiatives during bloom outbreaks. Even after her retirement from NOAA, she has remained involved in projects such as the National HAB Observing Network (NHABON), advocating for expanded monitoring efforts to address the growing impacts of HABs.

Scope and Content Note
April 25, 2023: The interview explores Dortch’s family history, career, and reflections on historical and social changes. She recounts her genealogical background, including records tracing her family lineage to the 1700s, with German and English roots. She discusses her ancestors' social and economic dynamics, class distinctions, family traditions, and migration patterns within Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region. Dortch describes her mother’s career in special education and her father’s experiences as an athlete, military officer, and insurance examiner. Dortch reflects on her mother’s transition from music to education and the impact of the women’s movement on professional opportunities. She shares insights into her father’s career trajectory from military service during World War II to work in insurance. Additionally, the conversation explores family dynamics, including intergenerational relationships, the influence of social status, and personal struggles. 

May 2, 2023: Dortch discusses her upbringing in Norfolk, Virginia, her family's move to Washington, D.C., and the cultural shifts that shaped her perspectives. She describes her early interest in science, particularly biology, and the influence of a high school teacher in fostering her academic pursuits. Dortch recounts her experiences as a chemistry major at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and the challenges she faced as a woman in graduate studies at Indiana University. She details instances of gender discrimination in the chemistry department and her transition to oceanography at the University of Washington, where she earned a Ph.D. studying phytoplankton nutrient uptake. Dortch reflects on her postdoctoral work and tenure at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Maine, where she navigated the challenges of securing research funding. She describes her participation in research cruises, including a notable submersible dive to the Gulf of Maine seafloor. 

May 16, 2023: Dortch discusses her career in marine science, focusing on her work at the Bigelow Laboratory in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and her transition to the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), where she navigated challenges in research funding, tenure disputes, and gender discrimination. She details her contributions to studying harmful algal blooms (HABs), particularly their impact on hypoxia in the Mississippi River plume, and her role in early remote teaching initiatives in Louisiana. Dortch describes her recruitment to NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) in 2003, where she led the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (ECOHAB) program, coordinating research across multiple federal agencies. She discusses advancements in HAB monitoring, forecasting, and control and the evolving understanding of toxin impacts on marine ecosystems and public health. Dortch reflects on major HAB events, including the 2005 Gulf of Maine bloom and Florida red tide outbreaks, and her role in NOAA’s response efforts. She also outlines NOAA’s efforts to establish a national HAB observing network and the broader implications of climate change on harmful algal bloom patterns. 

June 23, 2023: Dortch talks about her career at NOAA, beginning in 2003 as a program manager for the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (ECOHAB) program. She describes her involvement in securing congressional funding and influencing policy through the reauthorization of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA). Dortch details the evolution of NOAA’s harmful algal bloom (HAB) programs, including the formation of the Prevention, Control, and Mitigation of HABs (PCMHAB) and event response initiatives. She reflects on the challenges of managing fluctuating budgets, coordinating interagency efforts, and briefing congressional staff on NOAA’s HAB research. Dortch also discusses the development of the National HAB Observing Network (NHABON), which integrates regional HAB monitoring efforts, and the importance of technological advancements in HAB detection, such as molecular tools and remote sensing devices. She describes her mentorship of early-career scientists, her experiences with remote work, and her decision to semi-retire while continuing her involvement in event response and policy advising. Finally, Dortch concludes by discussing her life outside of work, including her engagement in a co-housing community and her passion for gardening and mentoring young scientists.