Robert Harrington

Robert J. Harrington (Bobby) is a Research Associate with the University of Maine’s Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI). He served in the U.S. Navy from 2000-2006 where he specialized in the operation and repair of shipboard self-defense weapons systems. After serving he returned home to Maine and earned his B.S. in Earth Science from the University of Maine (2009). He then traveled to California and earned his M.S. in Marine Science from the University of San Diego (2014). His master’s degree research focused on measuring and identifying sedimentation sources on coral reefs near St. John, USVI.

In his current role, Harrington designs, builds, and maintains specialized recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for use in research by ARI staff and affiliates. Previous RAS projects include designing and building: four replicate recirculating systems with pH and CO 2 controls for ocean acidification research, three replicate lobster research systems, a tilapia research system, several salmonid systems, a touch tank system, a RAS course training system, and a biosecurity level 3 RAS for use with infectious disease research.

Harrington splits his time between RAS design and analytical sciences. He has experience with ICP-OES, XRD, XRF, GC-MS and Colorimetry. His current analytical focus is on developing improved analytical methods for the detection of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol in RAS water and fish tissue samples using thermal desorption for extraction and GC-MS for separation and detection.

Harrington considers himself a generalist and enjoys a wide variety of research projects. In his off time, he enjoys exploring the local geology and writing fictional novellas about an intertidal alien species that only grows food through aquaculture.