I am a PhD candidate and NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar in Biological Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography. I joined the lab in Fall 2022. My graduate work focuses on the environmental drivers of mesophotic coral ecosystem distribution in the Gulf of Mexico and how diel vertical migrators serve as a potential persistent food source for cold-water coral habitats. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology (’21) from Villanova University and previously worked in wetland/mangrove ecology, grassland ecology, and fisheries sustainability.
What made you decide to go into marine science?
Growing up on Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, NY, I always enjoyed being around the water even though I was never on it much. When I was 12, I read most of the Clive Cussler ‘Dirk Pitt’ collection. The underwater world gripped me with adventure, but it wasn’t quite enough to convince me to be a marine biologist. When I entered Villanova, climate change and ecosystem conservation were my main interests. There, I became interested in ecosystem ecology, largely because of inspiring professors and mentors who gave me opportunities. In the Changley Lab, I learned about mangroves, wetlands, climate change impacts, and human-environment interactions. I also became interested in geographic information systems (GIS). Before I graduated (during COVID) I applied (and was somehow awarded) a Fulbright U.S. Student research grant (2021-’22) to study fisheries sustainability with the USAID Fish Right in the Philippines and was based in Coron, Palawan. These experiences led me to graduate school to learn more about ecology and the ocean. I have always been curious and, although I like marine life and the ocean, I would say my curiosity and desire to make a difference for our blue planet is what has truly led me to where I am today.
What is the focus of your research/work? What do you think is the most important takeaway from your research?
My thesis focuses on how the distribution of mesophotic coral ecosystems is affected by seasonal river plumes, how mesophotic ecosystems are impacted by tropical cyclones (hurricanes), and how diel vertical migrators serve as a potential persistent food source to cold-water coral reefs. Autonomous benthic lander systems tie these projects together. I use time-series data from lander deployments (Eulerian single-point observatories) to answer questions related to these topics. The ocean is an observation-limited environment, and measuring the natural environment for marine ecosystems is key to understanding how anthropogenic climate change and other disturbances will impact coral reefs (akin to the tropical rainforests of the ocean) across the world at local and regional scales over the next few decades and centuries.
What is the coolest thing you’ve done through your work?
Cool is a weird word and more of a feeling to me, but I felt “cool” when piloting a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) on a research cruise aboard the R/V Pelican (shoutout to the Marine Applied Research & Exploration team).
What is one fun fact about you?
I spent 7 days in the Denali wilderness and met two grizzly bears and one moose!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would like to be able to breathe in any medium (liquid, gas, solid). I have a fear of drowning so maybe this would ameliorate that.