Jasmine Ku joined IEC in June 2022 and 2023 as a seasonal intern and joined full-time in June 2024. Jasmine works full-time in IEC's laboratory, where she assists with many programs, including Long Island Sound Partnership, the Coordinated Volunteer Monitoring Program, and +POOL. Her current laboratory work includes biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), sample preservation using corrosive chemicals such as mercuric chloride, and microbiological analyses. She is also piloting two new laboratory capabilities for IEC- Enumeration of Somatic Coliphages and Total Microcystins with ELISA. Microsystins with ELISA is currently pending NYSDOH certification using EPA Method 546. Although there is no available accreditation for somatic coliphages, she has had success using the EPA-approved method. Jasmine supports many laboratory operations by preparing and managing materials for IEC’s microbiological projects. Jasmine earned a B.S. in Integrative Neuroscience from Binghamton University in 2023 and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Behavioral Neuroscience at Queens College.