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Matters  Science Matters Header  The Future of Water Quality
Monitoring  Photograph of Blake Schaeffer  Meet EPA Scientist
Blake Schaeffer, Ph.D.  EPA research ecologist Blake Schaeffer,
Ph.D. focuses on developing ways to use satellite remote sensing
technology to monitor water quality. His research interests
broadly include deriving water quality parameters in coasts,
estuaries, and lakes using satellites. He is currently
developing a proposed satellite remote sensing approach to
monitor Florida's coastal waters for numeric nutrient criteria
in the State of Florida.  Questions and Answers  How does your
science matter?  I am working to help protect water and public
health. My research uses satellite remote sensing technology to
monitor water quality. My colleagues and I are using an
instrument on the International Space Station that can see
beyond the usual spectrum of light perceptible to the human eye.
How does it work?  Imagine you’re looking