Eelgrass Sampling and Harbor Seal Research: Student Spotlight with Baylen
What set you on the path to study marine biology?
I was 5 years old and watching Finding Nemo in the movie theater – that’s the moment I knew I wanted to be a marine biologist. Exploring beaches, snorkeling on holiday in Hawaii – these were things I’ve always loved to do. As a military kid, I moved to Washington and immediately fell in love with the incredible natural environment that’s really unique to us here. When it was time to go to college, I was drawn to studying something where I would be able to get out into the environment and do something productive with my studies; marine biology was the obvious path.
I had applied and been accepted into marine biology programs all along the west coast, but what solidified my decision to attend the University of Washington was that it was a new program, and this presented the opportunity to learn alongside the faculty teaching it. What’s really unique about marine biology at UW is the amazing marine research station right on our doorstep at Friday Harbor Labs (FHL). This was a huge factor as I could get lots of field experience, which is the way I learn best.
UW is also a good spot for other ways to get involved in marine biology outside of studying. Living and conducting my research here also leaves time for volunteering at the Seattle Aquarium. It’s a great place to learn how to communicate with a variety of people, from young kids to adults really into marine biology. Being able to get real practice in speaking to people about science is an invaluable opportunity.
Tell us about some of your research experiences so far!
While in my freshman year, I met Dr. Olivia Graham during the spring marine studies program at FHL. She used to come out with students on field days to support her research into eelgrass. I helped her during this time collecting isopods, cleaning up the FHL Library’s aquarium, things like that, and when it was time to apply for an REU in my sophomore year, I saw Dr. Graham was one of the project leads and I applied.
I was paid for a full summer to work on her research project, which involved snorkeling at 11 different sites in the San Juan Islands and taking eelgrass samples to analyze for seagrass wasting disease. This is caused by a microscopic pathogen called Labyrinthula zosterae, or ‘Laby’ for short, that steals the sugars from eelgrass and makes it harder to grow. This pathogen adds to other stressors as well. For intertidal eelgrass, which is exposed during parts of the day, plant health can further be threatened by exposure to warm air.
Over the past couple decades, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been monitoring changes and distribution of eelgrass in the Puget Sound and Salish Sea. On the east coast, this wasting disease resulted in a 90% decline in eelgrass, so it’s something they’re working to avoid here. Dr. Graham’s research was focused on the San Juan Islands as this is the only area of real concern across the Puget Sound. This work has focused on identifying where eelgrass is resilient and prioritizing these areas for protection. This is especially important as the WA state senate has dedicated 10,000 acres for eelgrass and kelp conservation and restoration.
Eelgrass is super important and has been identified as a health indicator for the whole of the Salish Sea. It protects coastlines, it cleans water, it’s a carbon sink, it’s protective habitat for Dungeness crab and juvenile salmon, which also cascades all the way up on the food chain to killer whales. Eelgrass is foundational for the health and diversity of the food web here.
This research project was everything I could’ve hoped for tied up into one experience. I did so much fieldwork and lab work, made connections, was able to present my research to others in the REU program, and now I’m working on my conference poster for the SICB event in January 2024. I’m also working on an outreach project based on this research program, in collaboration with DNR and the Friends of the San Juans, which aims at communicating the science to the general public via an informative video. So stay tuned!
What other programs have you been involved in?
As a freshman, I applied for the NOAA Hollings Prep Program and worked with a mentor from NOAA, and Cascadia Research Collective, where I lead a research project looking at the habituation of harbor seals in south Puget Sound.
A few days each week, I would go out to different sites for a few hours and collect data on behavior and disturbances (including some cute pictures!). I learned how to use R to make figures and graphs, something I never thought I would be able to do after just one year in college. It was a fantastic experience to be able to develop and use skills through this research experience that would also help to develop my marine biology skills.
My experience was also unique in being able to work with both a federal organization and a non-profit. At Cascadia Research Collective, I got to work with other interns with different specializations, and at NOAA, I got to learn from other interns, participate in book clubs relevant to our research, and benefit from information sessions from NOAA experts. I made a ton of useful connections from both organizations during that time and gained lots of research experience that has helped me find my direction in my marine biology studies.