Rosenberg Institute Seminar Series - Paula Pappalardo

Paula Pappalardo, Biologist - Data Scientist, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Using metabarcoding to detect species of concern

Abstract: Accurate species identification is critical for biodiversity research and conservation. Early detection is especially important for invasive species management, particularly in marine systems where eradication after establishment is rarely feasible. DNA metabarcoding provides a powerful and scalable approach for surveying communities and detecting non-native species at sentinel sites. However, uncertainty in taxonomic assignment and interpretation of metabarcoding signals can lead to false positive detections, with potentially serious consequences for managers and stakeholders. In this talk, I will discuss how sampling design influences non-native species detection, approaches to optimize taxonomic assignment, and methods for assessing confidence in species identifications derived from metabarcoding data. 

Bio: Paula is an ecologist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center who works on identifying invasive species from biodiversity surveys using metabarcoding and eDNA techniques. Her research focuses on biodiversity assessment in estuarine and marine systems, synthesizing data on species traits, distributions, and environmental conditions to understand the processes shaping biodiversity. Paula enjoys collaborative, multidisciplinary research and develops analytical methods and tools related to her work.