Hi everyone!

My name is Christy Stumbo and I am a junior undergraduate marine biology major at the University of Oregon who has a slight obsession with sharks and giant squid. I am from the San Francisco Bay Area, but have fallen in love with the great state to the north. Growing up, my family  frequently went to Monterey to explore the tide pools and visit the aquarium. I believe these trips (and watching countless Jacques Cousteau documentaries on PBS) is where my fascination with the ocean began, and by 5th grade, I knew I wanted to be a marine biologist.

I specifically chose to attend the University of Oregon because of the marine biology program at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB), and I spent my first term there in the fall of 2012. It was a great experience! I was a bit nervous at first because I did not know anyone. I was even scared that what I dreamed of doing my entire life might not be something I actually enjoyed, but I had nothing to fear. I enjoyed all my classes, the field and lab experience, and making new friends who share the same excitement for the ocean. During fall quarter, I took Biological Oceanography, Molecular Biology for Marine Sciences, and Marine Environmental Issues. Although my classes were so diverse, there was a lot of overlap between all three.

I am  currently  in Eugene taking classes on the main campus, but I am anxiously awaiting my return to OIMB for the spring and summer. I am looking forward to being back, learning more about the ocean, working on my project, and surrounding myself with all things related to marine biology. Until then, I will share about my classes and experience during fall term as well as anything marine related that happens in Eugene.