Projects
“Change is the only constant” –Heraclitus
I am fascinated by the natural world and our connection to it. I enjoy exploring the underlying mechanisms behind the patterns we see in nature and society. I study the dynamics of marine communities to help improve environmental stewardship and marine management. My research employs a synthetic approach by merging fieldwork and observational studies over vast spatial and temporal scales. Specifically, I am intrigued by interdisciplinary research questions that explore physical, biological, and social links in support of sustainable marine management.
I am currently a postdoctoral scholar with the National Center for Ecological Analysis (NCEAS) & Future Earth through the PEGASuS 2: Ocean Sustainability partnership. My position is centered around three projects focused on: coastal and marine biodiversity in relation to changing environmental conditions, ocean observing systems, data management, and diverse engagement & science communication. For a description of these current projects please see below.
I am currently a postdoctoral scholar with the National Center for Ecological Analysis (NCEAS) & Future Earth through the PEGASuS 2: Ocean Sustainability partnership. My position is centered around three projects focused on: coastal and marine biodiversity in relation to changing environmental conditions, ocean observing systems, data management, and diverse engagement & science communication. For a description of these current projects please see below.
Research Topics
Marine ecology Biodiversity Climate change Population connectivity & dispersal Marine community & population dynamics Biological oceanography Social-ecological systems Marine Spatial Planning Ecosystem-based management Ocean sustainability Environmental outreach & education Diverse engagement
Marine ecology Biodiversity Climate change Population connectivity & dispersal Marine community & population dynamics Biological oceanography Social-ecological systems Marine Spatial Planning Ecosystem-based management Ocean sustainability Environmental outreach & education Diverse engagement
Current Projects
Global Ocean Observing System for Marine Life
A significant proportion of the world’s population depends intimately on the oceans and coasts for survival and well-being since marine biodiversity provides numerous resources essential for society. Through the PEGASuS 2: Ocean Sustainability partnership, I am working with the National Center for Ecological Analysis (NCEAS), Future Earth, Global Ocean Observing System Biology and Ecosystems Panel (GOOS), and the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) on the development of a globally coordinated and sustained marine biodiversity ocean observing system to support on the path toward a sustainable future. Specifically, I am developing a global map and assessing attributes of biological ocean observing networks worldwide to understand the readiness of the existing observing networks to support with a globally coordinated observing system for marine life. Read more about this work linked here and here.
Early Career Ocean Professional Engagement in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
I am passionate about including diverse and underrepresented voices in international policy processes since variation in perspective can facilitate innovative and robust ocean solutions. Specifically, I am working with the Ocean Knowledge Action Network (Ocean KAN) and Future Earth on developing and supporting participation of Early Career Ocean Professionals in the context of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Read more about the importance of engaging early career professionals in international policy processes here and about the work here.
Biodiversity assessments using environmental DNA to support ecosystem- based management
Comprehensive biodiversity assessments are foundational to ecosystem-based management and will increase in necessity as ocean uses continue to increase. In my previous role as a California Sea Grant State Fellow, I have been working with the longest, integrated ocean observing program worldwide, California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI), the Southwest Fisheries Science Center & Environmental Research Division and the NCOG program to understand biodiversity patterns in the California Current using environmental DNA methods. More information on environmental DNA methods linked here.
A significant proportion of the world’s population depends intimately on the oceans and coasts for survival and well-being since marine biodiversity provides numerous resources essential for society. Through the PEGASuS 2: Ocean Sustainability partnership, I am working with the National Center for Ecological Analysis (NCEAS), Future Earth, Global Ocean Observing System Biology and Ecosystems Panel (GOOS), and the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) on the development of a globally coordinated and sustained marine biodiversity ocean observing system to support on the path toward a sustainable future. Specifically, I am developing a global map and assessing attributes of biological ocean observing networks worldwide to understand the readiness of the existing observing networks to support with a globally coordinated observing system for marine life. Read more about this work linked here and here.
Early Career Ocean Professional Engagement in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
I am passionate about including diverse and underrepresented voices in international policy processes since variation in perspective can facilitate innovative and robust ocean solutions. Specifically, I am working with the Ocean Knowledge Action Network (Ocean KAN) and Future Earth on developing and supporting participation of Early Career Ocean Professionals in the context of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Read more about the importance of engaging early career professionals in international policy processes here and about the work here.
Biodiversity assessments using environmental DNA to support ecosystem- based management
Comprehensive biodiversity assessments are foundational to ecosystem-based management and will increase in necessity as ocean uses continue to increase. In my previous role as a California Sea Grant State Fellow, I have been working with the longest, integrated ocean observing program worldwide, California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI), the Southwest Fisheries Science Center & Environmental Research Division and the NCOG program to understand biodiversity patterns in the California Current using environmental DNA methods. More information on environmental DNA methods linked here.
Past Positions & Projects
California State Sea Grant Fellow, Environmental Research Division, NOAA (SWFSC). 2018-2019.
University of California Davis & Bodega Marine Laboratory Doctoral researcher. Nearshore Processes Influencing Larval Distributions and Coastal Population Dynamics Along an Upwelling Coast. 2018. Advised by Dr. Steven Morgan in collaboration with John Ryan, Julio Harvey, and Robert Vrijenhoek at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and supported by Dr. John Largier and Dr. Brian Gaylord.
California Collaborative Fisheries Research Project Coordinator. Bodega Marine Laboratory, California. 2017-2018
Robert & Patricia Switzer Environmental Fellow. 2016.
Universitas Hasanuddin & MARS Conservation Research Assistant. Sulawesi, Indonesia. 2015.
Juniata College Department of Biology Ecological Research Assistant. 2007-2010.
Galapagos Institute for the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Researcher. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. 2009.
Natural Geography in Shore Areas (NaGISA) & NOAA Hollings Scholar Biodiversity Researcher. Kachemak Bay, Alaska. 2009.
Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy & Learning (FERAL) Marine Science Researcher. India. 2008.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Student Researcher. 2003-2004.
University of California Davis & Bodega Marine Laboratory Doctoral researcher. Nearshore Processes Influencing Larval Distributions and Coastal Population Dynamics Along an Upwelling Coast. 2018. Advised by Dr. Steven Morgan in collaboration with John Ryan, Julio Harvey, and Robert Vrijenhoek at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and supported by Dr. John Largier and Dr. Brian Gaylord.
California Collaborative Fisheries Research Project Coordinator. Bodega Marine Laboratory, California. 2017-2018
Robert & Patricia Switzer Environmental Fellow. 2016.
Universitas Hasanuddin & MARS Conservation Research Assistant. Sulawesi, Indonesia. 2015.
Juniata College Department of Biology Ecological Research Assistant. 2007-2010.
Galapagos Institute for the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Researcher. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. 2009.
Natural Geography in Shore Areas (NaGISA) & NOAA Hollings Scholar Biodiversity Researcher. Kachemak Bay, Alaska. 2009.
Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy & Learning (FERAL) Marine Science Researcher. India. 2008.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Student Researcher. 2003-2004.
Play is the highest form of research –Albert Einstein
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