Job summary and/or description of your work/research:
As a research ecologist for the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS), I’m a part of a team that works to better understand and monitor the resources (animals like whales and fish, habitats like kelp forests and seagrass beds, and environmental factors like water quality and temperature) in and around the sanctuary. We do this in many ways, from working with partners that conduct their own research in the sanctuary, to designing and executing field projects and data analyses ourselves. My main research projects include characterizing poorly understood habitats in CINMS, such as seagrass beds and deep-sea coral habitats. My role at the sanctuary allows me to participate in every stage of research from project design to data analysis and outreach with the public.
What do you enjoy most about your work/research:
I enjoy wearing many hats and being a part of a number of different projects. I recently coordinated a large, 4-year long research program focused on exploring deep-sea coral and sponge habitats along the West Coast. As a coordinator, I’ve been fortunate to participate on a handful of expeditions that use cutting-edge technologies – like remotely operated vehicles – to put eyes on parts of the seafloor that have never been surveyed.
Inspiration:
I feel very lucky to have had a number of influential people in my life who encouraged and mentored me throughout my education and entry to my career. As an undergraduate, these positive relationships were largely born out of taking advantage of volunteer opportunities and office hours. Yvette Ralph is the marine lab technician who kept both the lab and the boats running smoothly while managing all the volunteers and assistants. She was my first strong female role model in marine science. I admired her confidence, competence, and leadership in an otherwise male-dominated department. As a result, I challenged myself to go outside my comfort zone and learn new skills that I may not have pursued otherwise – like getting SCUBA certified my senior year of college. I also found great mentors by volunteering in different marine research labs that focused on various topics from intertidal ecology to fish physiology.