Laura G
- Research Program Mentor

MS at University of California San Diego (UCSD)

Expertise

Marine Biology, Coral Reef Ecology, Coral Reef Restoration, Biological Oceanography, Marine Ecology

Bio

I have been a teaching assistant and mentor for various age groups for over a decade, beginning in community college and ending with graduate school. I have experience teaching a variety of different science topics to students from all walks of life: oceanography, marine biology, science research, environmental systems, and many others! I have also served as a mentor for incoming students, to make them feel more welcome and at home during their time at university, and served on the mentor leadership committee at UCSD. I find mentoring extremely rewarding, and I love helping others find their passion, or coaching them on the next steps for their goals. I currently work in the biotech industry as a Research Assistant for a company paving the way in cell cultured seafood! My favorite animals are manatees! I almost specialized in marine mammals before I decided on coral reef ecology. I love scuba diving, rock climbing, swimming, and reading. I love visiting new aquariums and learning about new ecosystems. I also have a precious corgi named Checkers who is my best friend!

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.

Understanding how and why coral reefs have degraded over time

Research that will provide the audience with a more complete idea of specific reasoning behind coral reef's decline (giving more detail than just climate change) and describing what happens when corals die biologically and ecologically

Coding skills

RStudio

Languages I know

French intermediate reading, writing, speaking

Teaching experience

I have been a TA at the community college level, undergraduate level, and graduate level for many science classes (oceanography, environmental science, marine biology, etc.). I have served on the graduate student mentorship committee, as well as been a mentor for several years.