Walt Whitman wrote in A song of myself “Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.” I don’t contain multitudes, but often the contradictions of my research pursuits and their competing demands for brain cells and time make me wish that I could!
In Willapa Bay, Washington I study oysters. Oyster growers report that oysters in different places on nearby beds grow at different rates. This may be a result of depletion by competing filter-feeders. I am conducting growth trials and drifting experiments on oyster beds to study small scale variations in oyster growth. Many people – especially environmental managers and oyster growers - are interested in learning how oysters impact phytoplankton concentrations and light regimes in the estuary. Most of my research has focused on the ability of filter feeders to deplete phytoplankton on small scales (10-1000m). I spend much of my summer drifting over oyster beds and measuring the amount of chlorophyll in the water. The amount of chlorophyll depletion is influenced by the oyster density, oyster age, water depth and rate of flow.
In the Hood Canal, Washington I study food web relationships. The Hood Canal experiences seasonal hypoxia which causes large scale fish kills. The hypoxia may be caused by an excess of nitrogen. I will be measuring both eelgrass density, eelgrass growth and oyster growth. Using stable isotope ecology I will examine the tissues of oysters, eelgrass, green algae and particulate organic matter to better understand nitrogen sources within the canal.
In Mastatal, Costa Rica I study a species of migratory freshwater shrimp in the genus - Macrobrachium. Working with Costa Rican scientists, officials from the nearby National Park, and local community leaders I am building a life history model to better understand population dynamics of these exploited species. Both this study and the Hood Canal project are a result of my involvement in the NSF-IGERT for Coupled Human Natural and Materials Systems.
Here is my personal website.
And here is my bio page for IGERT.
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