I did my undergraduate work in marine biology at the University of Oregon and graduated in 2010. My past research has been in biological and physical oceanography, pelagic ecology, and seabird breeding ecology. This fall I will begin a PhD program in biology at Duke University, where I will be studying light, visual signalling, and camouflage in the marine environment. I have a deep fascination with marine invertebrates, and I am thrilled to contribute to the ecological monitoring and conservation of Lough Hyne. I am also interested in science communication of all forms and look forward to contributing to the blog and public education programs.
Laurel Hiebert
I am a PhD student at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. My research interests are in marine invertebrates, evolution, and unusual life cycles. For my PhD project, I am studying the evolution of a highly unusual life cycle - that of the pilidiophoran nemerteans, a very poorly known group of marine worms with a unique mode of larval development. See our lab webpage for more info: http://pages.uoregon.edu/svetlana/iWeb/Home/Home.html. I am looking forward to helping with the conservation work, monitoring, and experimental biology at the Lough Hyne Marine Reserve. I am also very excited share my experiences with others.
Yolimar Rivera Vázquez
I recently graduated from the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, where I obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Coastal Marine Biology. In the fall 2012, I will start graduate school at Western Washington University where I will be pursuing a Master's Degree in Marine and Estuarine Sciences. My research interests include studying marine invertebrates, larval development and ecology, and algae; I am also interested in outreach teaching. Some of my hobbies include photography and skin/scuba diving.
Caitlyn Clark
A current undergraduate at Oregon State University, I am studying Ecological Engineering and minoring in Entomology. I am currently working on my honors thesis with Dr. Sarah Henkel at Hatfield Marine Science Center on the ecological effects of wave energy devices as part of the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energies Center as well as the OSU Benthic Ecology Lab. My work specifically is focused on five flatfish species, their condition and their gut contents. Outside of my work with Dr. Henkel, I have worked for Earthwatch Institute in Manitoba, Canada, on ephemeral wetlands and am currently working with the EPA's P3 Research team at OSU on alternative mulches. In my spare time I am a trip guide for OSU's Adventure Leadership Institute.