August 27, 2014
The study of urchin gonad development and condition in response to recreated drift algae is available in MEPS. We replicated the physical degradation experienced by kelp detritus as it drifts around the coastal ocean. We then fed this to Red Urchins to determine whether or not drift kelp is better, worse or the same as fresh kelp. Turns out it depends on the species, but interestingly, the most abundant kelp in the San Juan's (Agarum fimbriatum) gets better with age!
July 18, 2014
Oikos blog post about the San Juan Island POM study here. Experience the lighter side of biomarker science...
July 9, 2014
The Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology has published our investigation of the ecological impact of algal detritus degradation, conducted by many undergraduates at the University of Washington's Friday Harbor Labs.
June, 2014
The subsidy lab is pumping papes! Our investigation of food sources available to suspension feeders in the San Juan Islands and an evaluation of the biomarkers used to study them is now available in Oikos. Meanwhile, Wendel's experiment looking at how degradation state of differences species of algae influences urchin reproductive condition has been accepted in Marine Ecology Progress Series, AND a synthesis of student and subslab experiments studying many aspects of the ecological effects of degradation of kelp biomass has been accepted in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.
April 1, 2014
I am back up at FHL as part of the Zoobot Research Experience teaching team this spring! I'm looking forward to working with the student on their research projects investigating nearshore ecology! I'll also be conducting my own research on the role of red urchins in connecting algal detritus to the benthos.
March 11, 2014
Sedentary urchins influence benthic community composition! This collaboration with Ross Whippo and the subsidy lab group is now published in Marine Ecology. The benthic community portion of this paper was Ross' undergraduate capstone thesis. It's great to see this work finally published! Keep your eyes out for more urchin work coming up.
February 22, 2014
Today marked my first day in the field in Willapa Bay. Amazing area! It was fun to drive down Hwy 12 again after a number of years. The excitement built as I drove the LONG way around Willapa Bay to Port of Pensinula where the boat was moored. We spent the day driving around, mapping temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, Chlorophyll and pH. Lots of variability! I can't wait to go back!
In the meantime we are picking up speed on our winter sampling goals. We will continue mapping a few more sites in Hood Canal and Puget Sound in the next couple weeks.
January 3, 2014
Happy New Year! 2013 finished strong with 2 paper submissions dealing with Urchin ecology and POM biomarkers. My cohort is being featured in a series on the
Science Positive blog for graduate students in UW Biology. Check it out! And check back frequently to see
updates about ongoing research projects conducted by UW graduate students.
The first quarter of 2014 will be filled with classes and field work on a new project investigating biofeedbacks on water chemistry in Puget Sound and Hood Canal. I can't wait to get back in the field!
November 16, 2013
After a summer of adventures in California, Washington and British Columbia, I am now in Seattle. Grad school is off to a busy start - writing papers, starting new projects, taking classes and teaching Intro Bio. Never a dull moment!
Urchin movement has been accepted at Marine Ecology!
June 10, 2013
Biomarker variation with depth paper published in L&O! This paper is open source, so please share!
May 18, 2013
Subsidizers represent at the FHL Open House. It was a great event with more than 600 guests coming out to learn what we are discovering at the labs. Here is a brief timelapse of our "Catch the drift" demonstation.
May 8, 2013
Congratulations Dr. Aaron Galloway! Aaron defended his dissertation and is now a doctor! Just in time to take off to Finland for a post-doc.
May 1, 2013
Another successful Marine Expert Day at the Friday Harbor Elementary school. This ongoing event organized by the Friday Harbor Labs Science Outreach Program brings researchers from the labs
together with local 6th graders to explore local marine diversity. See the video here!
April 17, 2013
Nearshore Ecology Research Experience student projects are underway! Lots of cool projects looking at effects of decomposition on the nutritional quality of drift algae. Copepods are spawning, urchins are selecting drift. Should be a good quarter!
April 2, 2013
Subsidy lab paper investigating variation in primary producer biomarker signatures is the featured article in MEPS!
March 22, 2013
I will be attending UW for a phd! The pursuit of intellect begins in September!
December 5, 2012
Urchin dissections are complete and urchin town is broken down! Fatty acid extractions are next on the menu for the gonad project.