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Beverly F

- Research Program Mentor

PhD at University of California, San Diego

Expertise

biology; ecology; coral reef ecology

Bio

I am a PhD candidate in Marine Biology with research interests in marine community ecology, coral reefs, and species coexistence. My research is motivated by understanding the factors that contribute to and maintain the incredible biodiversity that we see in nature, especially in high-diversity marine ecosystems like coral reefs. My work has historically focused on coral reef fishes, but I also work on questions concerning the capacity for coral adaptation to climate change. I love reading and the water! If my head isn't in a book, I can often be found swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Stereo video monitoring of coral reef fishes at a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the South Pacific

This project will focus on identifying changes in the community of coral reef fishes at a Marine Protected Area (MPA). In order to determine whether MPAs are effective at protecting coral reef fish communities, we must first have a baseline understanding of how coral reef fish communities change over time. This project will incorporate survey data and video recordings at sites in the South Pacific to answer these important conservation questions.

Coding skills

R

Languages I know

French, beginner; Spanish, intermediate

Teaching experience

I have taught SIO187: Statistical Analysis in Marine Biology as the Instructor of Record. I have also served as a TA for this course, for which I won a Mentor Award based on my student/instructor evaluations. I have also worked for two years as a Graduate Writing Consultant with UC San Diego's Writing Hub

Credentials

Work experience

Scripps Institution of Oceanography (2016 - Current)
PhD Candidate; graduate student researcher; graduate writing consultant

Education

University of Pittsburgh
BS Bachelor of Science (2012)
Biological Science and Nonfiction Writing
University of California San Diego (UCSD)
MS Master of Science (2016)
Biological Oceanography
University of California, San Diego
PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Marine Biology

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