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What Is NOAA Omics?

Omics - the study of DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites - delivers transformational insights that advance ecosystem understanding, strengthen environmental monitoring, and enable sustainable fisheries management. Next-Generation biotechnologies expand the scale, speed, and precision of biological data. NOAA Omics harnesses the power of this advanced technology to accelerate high-impact science, enhance decision making, and improve operational efficiency. NOAA Omics scientists, from across NOAA line-offices, including NOS, OAR, NEDIS, & NMFS drive innovation and integration of omics techniques - safeguarding marine resources, detecting threats, and reinforcing the United State’s leadership in ocean science and technology.

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Omics Applications Support the Bioeconomy

Ecosystem Observations

Stock Assessments

A deep-sea ROV uses bright lights to illuminate the remains of a shipwreck and its circular gun tub on the dark seafloor.

Discovery

Exploration vessel Nautilus operating at sea during ocean exploration operations

Environmental Monitoring

Two crew members on a ship deploy a CTD rosette system into the ocean using a crane.

Forensics

NOAA Omics Facts

What Is eDNA?

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is the genetic material shed by organisms in the water column. By collecting samples of mucus, feces, or tissue particles, scientists can process eDNA to make new discoveries about marine life. For example, scientists may want to know what species are present in a particular location, what the biodiversity of the area is, and if any invasive or endangered species are present. eDNA can identify these organisms and characterize their role in the area’s food web and ecosystem. DNA barcoding has even been used to link larvae to their adult organisms that were previously thought to be separate species because of their appearance differences. Other organizations also use eDNA to monitor water quality and the amount of harmful bacteria in the water samples, and commercial fisheries can use it to inform their location selection and fishing practices.

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eDNA Applications

NOAA eDNA Factsheet

In The News

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The items on this page capture some of the big news as it relates to NOAA Omics. The stories posted represent a snapshot and the list here is not all encompassing; posting of external links does not constitute specific endorsement of a story or news outlet. Check back regularly for updates!

2026

New eDNA tool to help track recovery of sunflower sea star, a Pacific Coast ‘apex predator’ NOAA Research News.

Advancing Autonomous eDNA Capacity with the McLane RoCSI NOAA Research News.

Bill introduced by Alaska’s Murkowski aims to promote use of eDNA analysis in fishery management NOAA Research News.

Guidance and best practices for species identification using eDNA metabarcoding NOAA Research News.

A Year in the Life of Larry the Whale Shark NOAA Research News.

Tagged and Tracked: Mapping the Journeys of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea NOAA Research News.

Water World Genomics: Unlocking Ocean Secrets With eDNA NOAA Research News.

Genetics Shines New Light on Cod Populations and Distributions in Alaska NOAA Research News.

NOAA Ocean Exploration and AOML collaborate to release first eDNA data from Okeanos Explorer NOAA Research News. (AOML)

Scientists reveal identity of mysterious ‘golden orb’ collected during NOAA expedition NOAA Research News.

From Data to Discovery: Unlocking Ocean Secrets With eDNA NOAA Research News.

Environmental DNA in NYC’s East River reveals clues about nearby human and animal residents NOAA Research News.

Applying omics techniques to examine microscopic life fueling Gulf region ecosystems NOAA Research News. (AOML)

New Early Oyster Development Research Gives Insight into Potential Sterility Methods NOAA Research News.

From sample to source: tracking pollution pathways in AOML’s Molecular and Environmental Microbiology Lab NOAA Research News. (AOML)

Looking into the future of marine microbial observatories NOAA Research News. (PMEL)

Employing Omics techniques to examine crucial restoration efforts across the Mission: Iconic Reefs NOAA Research News. (PMEL)

Genomics Help Uncover Mysteries of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna NOAA Research News.

First Joint NOAA Killer Whale Survey Examines Endangered Southern Residents’ Shift to Coast NOAA Research News.

eDNA uncovers salmon winter habitat usage in Northeast Pacific Ocean NOAA Research News.

NOAA Fisheries embracing eDNA tool for rockfish management NOAA Research News.

NOAA Omics Seminar Series

The NOAA Omics Seminar Series was established to increase transparency and collaborations and highlight the groundbreaking omics research currently underway within and outside the organization. This seminar series takes place on the third Wednesday of every month at 2pm ET / 11am PT. More information can be found on the NOAA Science Seminar Series webpage.

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Upcoming Seminars

Past Seminars

2026

August 19, 2026 (recording here)

  • Title: Molecular characterization and diagnosis of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD)
  • Presenter: Dr. Micheal Studivan

July 15, 2026 (recording here)

  • Title: The role of structural variants in defining population structure and repeated local adaptation in two clupeid fishes
  • Presenter: Carl St. John

June 24, 2026 (recording here)

  • Title: Creatures of Darkness: Investigating Life and Light in the Twilight Zone
  • Presenter: Heather Bracken-Grissom

May 28, 2026 (recording here)

  • Title: From Seawater to Sequences: Exploring NOAA’s New Deep-Sea Environmental DNA Dataset
  • Presenter: Nicole Miller & Luke Thompson

May 20, 2026 (recording here)

  • Title: From biodiversity detection to ecosystem function: eDNA perspectives on deep pelagic ecology
  • Presenter: Nina Yang

April 30, 2026 (recording here)

  • Title: Seascape Alaska – 2023 Expedition Discoveries
  • Presenter: Allen Collins, Meredith Westington, & Logan Kline

April 15, 2026 (recording here)

  • Title: Understanding environmental Vibrio parahamolyticus genetics in different coastal environments
  • Presenter: David Silva

March 18, 2026 (recording here)

  • Title: New insights into deep sea biodiversity distributions
  • Presenter: Annette Govindarajan

February 25, 2026 (recording here)

  • Title: Detection and relative quantification of Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) from environmental DNA (eDNA) samples using quantitative PCR
  • Presenter: Dwan Jackson

NOAA Omics Quarterly Highlights

NOAA Omics provides updates on omics infrastructure, workforce enhancement, projects, and partnerships and documents progress in implementing the NOAA Omics Strategy via these quarterly reports.

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Previous NOAA Omics Quarterly Reports

NOAA Omics Resources

NOAA Omics utilizes omics and eDNA tools to address a variety of basic and applied research questions. Listed below are technical and classroom resources that detail how NOAA leverages these technologies for mission priorities.

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Krista Nichols, PhD
Krista Nichols, PhD

NOAA Omics Working Group Chair
krista.nichols@noaa.gov

Krista Nichols is the Program Manager for the Genetics and Evolution (GE) Program in the Conservation Biology Division at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. As the GE Program Manager, she leads a portfolio of research focusing on the genetics, genomics, and adaptation of aquatic organisms. She concurrently serves as the Chair of the NOAA Omics Working Group and the Lead for the NOAA Fisheries Omics Strategic Initiative. In these leadership roles, Krista coordinates communication, alignment, and projects across the agency to modernize data collection for surveys, stock, and protected species assessments. Her work drives the strategic integration and application of eDNA, population genomics, epigenetic ageing, and other advanced omics tools to support NOAA’s mission and operational impact. Prior to her current roles, Krista was an Associate Professor at Purdue University, where she led an active research program in the ecological genomics of aquatic organisms. She holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from Washington State University, a Master of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina.

Zachary Gold, PhD
Zachary Gold, PhD

NOAA Omics Working Group Vice Chair
zachary.gold@noaa.gov

Dr. Zachary Gold is the Ocean Molecular Ecology Program Lead at the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle and the Vice Chair of the NOAA Omics Working Group under the NOAA Science Council. His research seeks to leverage the advances in molecular biology to scale eDNA approaches alongside physical and chemical measurements to provide higher resolution inventories of marine biodiversity, increasing monitoring comprehensiveness as well as frequency in time and space. Zack's research portfolio includes developing large scale eDNA ocean biodiversity time series on the West Coast Ocean Acidification cruises, EcoFOCI (Ecosystems & Fisheries-Oceanography Coordinated Investigations) cruises, and CalCOFI (California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations); innovating novel technologies for eDNA applications like mooring based eDNA samplers and quantitative metabarcoding; enhancing bioinformatics software resources to ensure trust in eDNA data products; and improving data management, standards, and provisioning of eDNA results. Zack holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from UCLA and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology with a minor in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University.

Nicole Miller, MSc
Nicole Miller, MSc

NOAA Omics Coordinator
nicole.miller@noaa.gov

Nicole Miller joined NOAA Ocean Exploration and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth Systems Science in January 2023 as the NOAA Omics Coordinator. In this role, she leads and coordinates complex, agency-wide omics initiatives, driving strategic alignment, cross-program integration, and optimization of omics and eDNA data assets to maximize scientific and operational impact. Nicole manages stakeholder engagement across NOAA line offices, facilitates interagency collaboration, and contributes to the development of programmatic frameworks that advance data standardization, accessibility, and scalability. She also plays a key role in the strategic planning and implementation of omics and eDNA technologies within NOAA Ocean Exploration, ensuring alignment with mission priorities, advancing innovation, and supporting informed decision-making through data-driven approaches. Her work includes portfolio coordination and the establishment of best practices for integrating emerging omics capabilities into federal science operations. Prior to joining NOAA, Nicole worked in the medical device industry, where she contributed to cross-functional project execution and regulatory-aligned product development. She holds a Master of Science in Ecology and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, both from the University of Florida.

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