Conduct experiments and fieldwork to determine the environmental drivers of cyanobacterial blooms in a freshwater lake. This includes the analysis of phytoplankton community composition (using microscopic and genetic barcoding techniques), cyanotoxins, chlorophyll a, and the establishment of culture collections. Analyze flow cytometry data to determine efficacy of distinct methods for estimating microbial grazing ratesDeploy, recover, and process water quality data from sensors mounted onto high-tech platforms.

Assist with field studies of marine systems along the Southern California Coast including MPA research, rocky reef restoration, NPDES monitoring, and long-term monitoring of rocky reefsCollect data on substrate, relief and benthic organisms in rocky reef and kelp forest ecosystems

Investigated the effects of sunscreen components on the symbiosis between coral and dinoflagellates using the small sea anemone Aiptasia pallida as a model organism.Performed molecular biology techniques including RNA/DNA extractions, qPCR, TOPO cloning, and microinjection with CRISPR-Cas9 to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying coral bleaching in response to heat stress. Completed gene editing experiments using CRISPR -Cas9 under the guidance of Line Bay and Phillip Cleves during the November 2018 and 2019 coral spawning events at the Australian Institute of Marine Science.Maintained lab stocks of Aiptasia and carried out overall general lab support.

Completed egg take for Oncorhynchus keta (chum salmon; ~40 million eggs) and Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (pink salmon; ~240 million eggs) for fisheries development. Performed ripeness checks on brood stock, extracted gametes, ventilated and stirred incubators, shocked fertilized eggs, and used a Jensorter to separate out inviable eggs

Conducted flow-through mesocosm experiments examining the effects of predator acoustic cues and noise pollution on the foraging behavior of mud crabs.Constructed a large-scale ocean acidification mesocosm system to evaluate the ability of seagrasses to drawdown pCO2.Hurricane Sandy Assessment Study, NPS: Determined the impacts of a barrier island breach on water quality, seagrass coverage, and nekton abundance following a hurricane. Used otter trawls, throw traps, and seines to determine faunal abundance and distribution.Long Island Artificial Reef Program, NY DEC: Evaluated fish and benthic fauna abundance and distribution through SCUBA fish surveys (~70-90ft), video belt transects, and benthic quadrat sampling.Global FinPrint: Deployed over forty Baited Remote Underwater Videos (BRUVs) to assess abundances of coral reef sharks and rays in Negril, Jamaica.Moriches Bay Project, Seagrass Restoration Program: Co-directed the seagrass restoration program determining the most efficient, viable method for restoring seagrass based on previous research.

Led the Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring Project patrolling nesting beaches daily for activity.Assessed pipefish and seahorse populations in Biscayne Bay through seining.Assisted in the Lionfish Management Plan by removing invasive species through spearfishing.Conducted creel surveys on a biweekly basis (baseline data for measuring health of fish stocks in the park)