Environmental and Ocean Sciences Department Students Present Research Posters at Ocean Sciences Meeting

Students and faculty from the Environmental and Ocean Sciences Department traveled to New Orleans, LA in February 2024 to attend the Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM). Attendees included faculty members Nathalie Reyns, PhD, Sarah Gray, PhD and Jennifer Prairie, PhD along with graduate student Lauren Goodell and undergraduate students Claudia Buckenmeyer, Beck Chrisbens, Emma Drozda, Omar Durrani, Hannah Fumar, Maddie Glenna, Julia Humphrey, Ellie Krekeler, Hannah Matcham, Sofia Morales and Katie Power. 

OSM is the flagship conference for the ocean sciences and the larger ocean-connected community. The meeting is an opportunity for “building community between scientists, students, journalists, policymakers, educators and organizations who are working toward a world where global collaborations and partnerships can carry us into a sustainable future.”

Eleven undergraduate students and one graduate student presented their research in the conference’s poster session. The poster session presentations gave students the opportunity to practice their oral presentation skills while networking with professionals and other students. The research presented was focused on a variety of student projects, including collaborations with University of San Diego faculty, ongoing research, research conducted during student study abroad programs and through Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs. 

In addition to hearing talks about human impacts on marine ecosystems, ocean acidification, marine snow, microplastics, fisheries and climate change, students participated in workshops on developing networking, interviewing and communication skills and publishing their first paper. Students also had the opportunity to attend lunches with USD alumni at various stages of their careers, from graduate school to post-doc, to learn more about career pathways and graduate school opportunities. Conference support was provided by the Office of Undergraduate Research, Enhanced Student-Faculty Interaction fund award from the Office of the Vice Provost and an award from the Office of the Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences.