Alumni

I am currently working with seven undergraduate and two graduate students investigating a wide array of topics on coral reef molecular ecology at University of Hawaii at Hilo. These topics include; water quality of estuarine ponds along Keaukaha coast near the urbanized area of Hilo, Hawai`i; synergistic effects of eutrophication and temperature rise on coral molecular physiology; abundance and distribution of a commercially harvested sea cucumber, Stichopus horrens, in Kapoho, Hawaii; zooxanthella genotype characterization around the Island of Hawaii; ecology of Symbiodinium in its free-living stage.

After graduation I accepted a Post Graduate Researcher position with Dr. Ted Grosholz of the University of California at Davis Bodega Marine Lab. There I worked with Dr. Grosholz and Dr. Steven G. Morgan on the PEEIR project, with the goal of identifying indicators of estuarine ecosystem health (Jan 2002 – May 2004; http://www.bml.ucdavis.edu/peeir/).

After the birth of my daughter Hazel in April of 2006 I changed gears once again and am now pursuing a teaching credential; I plan to teach High School Biology/Physical Science, so as to inspire a new generation of science geeks. I also continue to do consulting work as a biologist/ecologist. Finally, for entertainment and other income I work as a substitute teacher.

Since graduating from the Wilkerson/Dugdale lab I have stayed on at SFSU to continue teaching Biology to undergraduates. I am now the Biology 240 coordinator and train GTA's to teach the second semester of biology to biology majors. In addition, Jamie Chan and I have received a grant from the CSME to

research a new teaching model for the 240 laboratory. We aim to bring inquiry and increased student led activities and learning to the laboratory.

	Vickie Hogue Research Technician and Graduate Student email recent publication Research Technician Jan 2001-Feb 2008, Graduate Student Fall 1997-Fall 2000 Thesis Title: Ultraviolet-B radiation effects on natural phytoplankton assemblages of Central San Francisco Bay
	Kevin Lew, Graduate Student email Graduate Student Fall 2001-Fall 2007 Thesis Title: Phytoplankton community changes in San Francisco Bay observed with a flow cytometer.
	Laila Barada email Graduate Student Fall 2003-Summer 2005 Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) scholarship 2005 Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) Fellowship 2004 Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Fellowship 2003 Biotechnological Investigations – Ocean Margin Program (BI-OMP) summer internship 2003 Thesis Title: Nitrogen assimilation in diatoms, expression of glnII during eutrophication and simulated upwelling. I am currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Southern California, working in the lab of Dr. Douglas Capone. I am researching the role that nitrogen fixing organism’s play with kelp physiology by isolating and identifying the organism, as well as investigating physiological rates of nitrogen fixation. I am also interested in measuring the boundary layers around kelp fronds, and the nutrient limitations associated with the thickness of boundary layers. Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar 2006-2007 Lab Web Page http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/biosci/tricho/index.html
	Allison Lorenzi email Undergraduate DOE Intern 2001-2002; Undergraduate DOD Intern 2002-2003 Graduate Student Fall 2003-Spring 2006 Thesis Title: Primary Productivity and rbcL gene expression in Central San Francisco Bay. I am currently employed as a biologist in the Water Resources Department with the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, CA. The focus of my current lab is to investigate the effects of trace metal inputs throughout the bay. Here I manage and direct a long term study site which assesses seasonal and yearly trends in trace element concentrations in sediments and clams in receiving waters near the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP). In addition to this I also participate in a study focused on the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of contaminants and trace metals throughout the food web in the SF Bay/Delta. Our website is: http://wwwrcamnl.wr.usgs.gov/tracel/
	Florian Koch email Graduate Student Fall 2002-2005 Thesis Title: Exploring the Use of ³²Si in an Urban Estuary: The Fate of Silicate in San Francisco Bay. I am currently working with Dr. Christopher Gobler at SUNY Stony Brooks Southampton College Marine Science Research Center on Long Island. I just finished my first year as a PhD student focusing on using novel as well as tried molecular and other methods to look at Vitamin B and its interactions with local red tide bloom species. I am in the process of taking the first B12 uptake rates in the North Pacific and will soon be in Florida working on Karenina brevis and vitamins.
	Misaki Takabayshi email Post-Doctoral Fellow Summer 2002-Fall 2004 I am currently working with seven undergraduate and two graduate students investigating a wide array of topics on coral reef molecular ecology at University of Hawaii at Hilo. These topics include; water quality of estuarine ponds along Keaukaha coast near the urbanized area of Hilo, Hawai`i; synergistic effects of eutrophication and temperature rise on coral molecular physiology; abundance and distribution of a commercially harvested sea cucumber, Stichopus horrens, in Kapoho, Hawaii; zooxanthella genotype characterization around the Island of Hawaii; ecology of Symbiodinium in its free-living stage. Dr. Misaki Takabayashi Laboratory
	Linda Judah email Graduate Student Fall 2000-Fall 2002 Thesis Title: Phytoplankton Community Structure and Seasonal Succession in Tomales Bay, CA After graduation I accepted a Post Graduate Researcher position with Dr. Ted Grosholz of the University of California at Davis Bodega Marine Lab. There I worked with Dr. Grosholz and Dr. Steven G. Morgan on the PEEIR project, with the goal of identifying indicators of estuarine ecosystem health (Jan 2002 – May 2004; http://www.bml.ucdavis.edu/peeir/). After the birth of my daughter Hazel in April of 2006 I changed gears once again and am now pursuing a teaching credential; I plan to teach High School Biology/Physical Science, so as to inspire a new generation of science geeks. I also continue to do consulting work as a biologist/ecologist. Finally, for entertainment and other income I work as a substitute teacher.
	Amber Johnson email Graduate Student Fall 2000-Spring 2004 Thesis Title: The Effects of Temperature on Silicification in Diatoms. Since graduating from the Wilkerson/Dugdale lab I have stayed on at SFSU to continue teaching Biology to undergraduates. I am now the Biology 240 coordinator and train GTA's to teach the second semester of biology to biology majors. In addition, Jamie Chan and I have received a grant from the CSME to research a new teaching model for the 240 laboratory. We aim to bring inquiry and increased student led activities and learning to the laboratory.
	Adria Lassiter email recent publication Graduate Student Fall 1999-Fall 2003 Thesis Title: Spatial and temporal distribution of phytoplankton species in a coastal upwelling ecosystem. After graduation I took on the position of Education and Outreach Coordinator for RTC. The position was a new one for the center, so I had the opportunity to find creative ways to link the science taking place in the lab with the local community. With great local partners such as the SF Bay NERR, Bay Area Discovery Museum, and the Bay Model Association, the program grew and is now quite successful. I've recently passed the torch, and relocated to Boulder, Colorado with my husband. I am working part time for RTC, writing grants and doing some graphic design. I'll stay involved with RTC as much as possible in the near future, and will certainly be back in the bay area whenever there are good low tides!