While interested in all branches of the discipline, I am interested modeling within physical oceanography. Learning to do so through increasingly advanced methods will undoubtedly yield both a rewarding experience and a new discovery.

I was born and raised in New Jersey, so the ocean has never been far away. I earned a Bachelor's and a Master's degree at The College of New Jersey. I wholly love teaching, and the next few years will vastly increase the knowledge and experiences that can be used in a classroom. I have been engrossed in the ocean for as long as I can remember, and I look forward to the opportunities this new adventure possesses.

• 2010, BS Physics, The College of New Jersey
• 2011, MAT, The College of New Jersey
• since 2011 - PhD Candidate, Graduate Program in Oceanography, Rutgers University

• Ocean Modeling Group
• My CV

My interests broadly lie in the development of ecological models and understanding the way that marine organisms interact with their environment. I am currently working on a food web model of Barnegat Bay, NJ.

I received my undergraduate education at the University of Delaware, where I was involved in fisheries-related research. I participated in projects ranging from the influence of wind patterns on larval fish ingress in Delaware Bay to the variation in fish assemblage among different shoreline types. My undergraduate thesis focused upon the effect of shoreline modification on Fundulus heteroclitus growth and movement patterns. Following graduation, I came to Rutgers University to pursue a Master’s degree in Biological Oceanography.

• 2011, Honors BS, Biological Sciences (Ecology and Organismic Biology concentration), University of Delaware
• 2011, Honors BS, Marine Science (Marine Biology concentration), University of Delaware
• since 2011 - MS Candidate, Graduate Program in Oceanography, Rutgers University

• Fuchs lab

Phytoplankton have played an imperative role in the development of the Earth’s current physical, chemical and biological structure. They are currently responsible for half of the global O2 production and influence the fate of atmospheric CO2. I am interested in the dynamics of phytoplankton growth and understanding the factors that influence the formation and decimation of blooms and in turn, the impacts that their growth and death have on the environment.

My interest in oceanography began during my third year of university, after diverging from my initial interest in music performance. I quickly became fond of the microbial community and interested in the critical roles and impacts they have on the biosphere. My undergrad research centered on dinoflagellate interaction with the environment, specifically, how light intensity influenced the production of toxic, secondary compounds by Karlodinium veneficum. During an internship at Mote Marine Laboratory, I also became interested in the use of ocean optics in monitoring marine primary production.

• 2011, BS, Marine Science, Rider University
• since 2011 - PhD Candidate, Graduate Program in Oceanography, Rutgers University

• Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences

My research interest is genetics and selective breeding of marine molluscs. Currently, I’m working on genome instability of tetraploid oysters. Tetraploid oysters were developed as brood stock, not for market comsuption. They function as a highly efficient tool to produce 100% triploid oysters, which has better meat quality and higher growth rate. But past data shows that tetraploid genome is not stable and is highly variable among individuals. I’m working on the genetic mechanism behind this phenomenon, hopefully to help selective breeding of the stable tetraploid oysters.

My background is Marine Biology. I worked on transcriptome sequencing and de novo analysis for Zhikong scallop, cytogenetic mapping of BACs in Pacific oyster and scallops. I also learned spawning, fertilization and culture of scallops and oysters.

• 2007, BS, Marine Biology, Ocean University of China
• 2011 – present, PhD Candidate, Graduate Program in Oceanography, Rutgers University

• Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory