UCSB
Environmental Research
Starting in the summer of 2024, I have been a research assistant to a UCSB professors and a PhD candidate with distinct research projects to collect data and discover causes of environmental instabilities in California coastal wetlands
Disentangling Larval Supply Dynamics
Southern California Coastal Wetlands
Aiming to identify the driving factors of low abundance and diversity of invertebrates in the restored San Dieguito Lagoon, we are processing sediment samples from the San Dieguito Wetlands, a restored wetland that is being conserved and monitored by UCSB, along with sediment samples from the naturally occurring and undisturbed Carpinteria Salt Marsh wetland.
Seagrass eDNA, Coastal California
I am deeply curious about our capacity to use microscopic agents to measure and catalyze nature’s regeneration and support natural climate solutions. Seagrass is a vital species ecologically, playing a critical role in the carbon sequestration capacities, estimated to represent up to 18% of the ocean’s carbon storage in just 0.1% of the area. It also acts as a nursery for rich marine communities, cleans surrounding water and can provide early warnings of environmental disturbances.
Seagrass habitats are facing a lack of monitoring and conservation. Their deterioration has a complex ripple effect on the health of our marine life and planet. In order to find solutions to these complex issues, environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding serves as an important tool to help us better understand the composition of marine communities.
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