Arwen Bird ‘13
Advisor: Flaxen Conway
Field of Study: Social Science
Arwen’s research focuses on community engagement in marine resource planning processes. She is particularly interested in the conceptual frameworks used to guide planning and how these elements influence the outcome of a particular process. Along with her advisor, MRM program director Flaxen Conway, she recently completed a rapid evaluation for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) of the 2010 marine reserves community teams.
Michelle Fournet ‘13
Advisor: Andy Szabo
Field of Study: Conservation
Under the guidance of Dr. Andy Szabo, Alaska Whale Foundation Director, Michelle designed and executed a study to classify and contextualize Southeast Alaska humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) vocal behavior. The ultimate goal of her research is to provide baseline information on undisturbed calling behavior so that anthropogenic impacts- namely the impact of large vessel noise- can be quantified and addressed. She also designed and implemented a marine mammal internship program in which she brought fourteen undergraduate and one graduate student into the field to study humpback whales.
Morgan Bacroft ‘14
Advisor: Lorenzo Cianelli and Cliff Ryer
Field of Study: Fisheries
Mo’s research addresses at the effects of hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen) and temperature on the growth of juvenile English sole (Paroprhys vetulus), and larval Dungeness crab (Cancer magister). Mo’s experiment utilizes wet tanks to control for temperature and dissolved oxygen to simulate a range of summer ocean conditions that may occur in Oregon’s coastal nursery grounds. Larval growth will then be measured as an indicator of habitat quality: the resulting experimental data will be compared to field measurements to create a predictive model of habitat quality after larval settlement.
Saskia Madlener ‘14
Advisor: Flaxen Conway & Sean Rowe
Field of Study: Communicating Ocean Science
Saskia’s love for the ocean combined with her background in film, language, and environmental science led her to pursue a degree in Marine Resource Management that focuses on communicating ocean science. Specifically she is interested in developing a methodology to effectively communicate ocean research as it addresses anthropogenic impacts on the world’s oceans. Her medium of choice is film. For her thesis Saskia is creating a documentary that follows a team of oceanographers to Greenland where they will study glacial retreat. She hopes to use the documentary to address broader questions about the effectiveness of film as a science communication tool and to identify the impact of effective science communication on human behavior.
Becky Mabardy ’13
Advisor: George Walbusser
Field of Study: Ocean Acidification and Human Dimensions
Becky’s interests in advancing collaborative partnerships between coastal stakeholders and scientists led her to the MRM program in 2011. Her thesis work involves conducting an online survey with the West Coast shellfish industry to understand their perspectives and experiences regarding ocean acidification. Additionally, she is developing a user-friendly website with interactive management tools, including a biological stress index, that can provide commercial and educational utility. Becky also has designed and conducted experiments to investigate the impacts of pCO2 frequency, duration, and intensity on Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) larvae viability.
Sandy Letzing ‘13
Advisor: Francis Chan
Field of Study: Ocean Acidification
Sandy works with Dr. Francis Chan on the effects of Ocean Acidification on marine organisms. While still a relatively new issue, Ocean Acidification (OA) has emerged as an important topic this decade. Sandy studies the calcification rates of coralline algae exposed to decreased pH and increased phosphorus levels. This study will test the consequences of normal changes in nutrient levels (daily ocean conditions) as well as the long-term effects of ocean acidification on these “keystone” species. These factors are fundamental to the efforts of understanding both direct and indirect impacts of climate change.
