Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  Texas A&M University - Galveston

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I’m interested in the community response of phytoplankton to both anthropogenic effects and global climate change. I received my bachelor’s in Biology with a focus on Marine Biology in 2014 from the University of Texas at Austin. While studying for my Bachelor’s I researched with sea grass, coral reef, and salt marsh ecosystems. After graduating, I worked on a project investigating the use of phytoplankton for biofuels through Texas A&M Agrilife. I’ve also studied the effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on the biogeochemistry and net primary productivity of Louisiana Salt Marshes. I’m currently a Master’s student in the Phytoplankton Dynamics Laboratory at Texas A&M Galveston investigating the effects of on both phytoplankton and microbes. These communities interact very closely with one another in an area around the phytoplankton known as a phycosphere akin to a rhizosphere in plants. Although I’m especially interested researching these symbiotic interactions, I’ve always been captivated by marine botany and plants in general.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is best about being a scientist?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):

  My favorite thing about science is the fact based approach that every scientist has to take. This approach requires evidence and proof before an answer is given. Curiosity and creativity are also vital to the scientific method. By observing the natural world questions come up like, how does this work? Why is this here instead of over there? Why does this organism grow this way? After this a reasonable experiment is designed to test an answer to the question. In the end a conclusion is reached and a little more understanding of the natural world is added to the scientific community. It’s the perfect career for someone who is constantly questioning the world around them.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  Can you describe your attitude toward science when you were in high school?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):

  I actually was not fond of science in high school and thought I would be studying English in college. However, in my last year of high school I took an aquatic science class that changed my mind and lead me down a scientific path. We learned about both marine and freshwater ecosystems and I became enthralled by marine science. The world’s oceans are expansive and we still don’t everything about these ecosystems. There are so many questions to answer and so many organisms to research. I especially have always been interested in plants, so marine botany became my area of focus in my undergraduate career. I always recommend taking classes in high school that might be out of your comfort zone because you never know what subjects you might find interesting.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):

  My favorite plant/s are mangroves, they are vital to coastal ecosystems and have so many adaptations that allows them to reside in their coastal habitat. Mangroves live in very inhospitable ecosystems for most plants, the sediment has low oxygen and the water is hypersaline. In order to live in this environment, mangroves have roots that extend above the sediment and directly take in oxygen from the air. They also have an exceptional adaptation to excess salt. Mangroves take up salt water and release excess salt onto the surface of their leaves, excreting any salt that could disrupt osmosis. Not only do they have several distinct adaptations, they are also important shoreline stabilizers. Mangroves stabilize sediment and prevent erosion, they also protect shorelines during large storms. Altogether mangroves have outstanding adaptations and play an important role in coastal ecosystems.

  
  
• Help represent the outreach efforts of your societies. Please click all those organizations you are a member of:

  (not set)

  
  
• In addition to English, I am comfortable communicating with students in the following languages:

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• Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?

  2