Biological Sciences Grad Students Earn Coastal Research Awards

A trio of Cal Poly graduate students have earned award funding to advance their coastal marine research projects.

The students behind the research — Katie Grady, Nicole Hack and Leslie Hart — will examine complex issues pertaining to California’s ocean, coast and coastal watersheds thanks in part to $3,000 in award funding from the California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and Technology (COAST) program.  The awards were announced in early January.

Cal Poly Center for Coastal Marine Sciences sign.
 

“We’re all very grateful to COAST for this kind of opportunity,” said Biological Sciences professor Kristin Hardy.

Hardy is mentoring Grady on a project that looks at the muscle metabolism and structure of the giant acorn barnacle. The research could answer questions regarding skeletal muscle cells and how they can function in low-oxygen environments.

“Katie has approached her research in a very methodical and organized way,” Hardy said. “This is research started by Charles Darwin in the 1800s. No one has picked up this research since.”

Hack’s research examines the efficacy of using a hormone as a measurement of fish health. If her research is successful, it will serve as a non-lethal and efficient assessment of fish stocks. Current methods require fish to be dead before this information can be obtained. Using Hack’s method, all that is needed is a small blood sample.

Hart is assessing settlement of red abalone in the Hopkins Marine Life Refuge in Pacific Grove, Calif.  She is looking at oceanographic data to understand conditions conducive for settlement. Her thesis will help inform government fisheries management agencies about the optimal months to assess settlement and conditions that may facilitate settlement.

“Receiving funds from COAST’s Graduate Research Award has helped tremendously in defraying graduate research expenses,” said Hart, whose research site is 145 miles away from Cal Poly. “This support will enable me to have the necessary equipment to retrieve cobbles for abalone recruitment analysis monthly, as well as aid in my overall education as a graduate student.”

All three students are conducting research through the Cal Poly Center for Coastal Marine Sciences.

Systemwide, 37 students have received the COAST awards this year.

COAST distributes the awards annually and helps connect students to resources for marine and coastal related activities.

You can read more about COAST on its website.