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Author: Carrie McDonough

I am the founder of oceanbites, and a postdoctoral fellow in the Higgins Lab at Colorado School of Mines, where I study poly- and perfluorinated chemicals. I got my Ph.D. in the Lohmann Lab at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, where my research focused on how toxic chemicals like flame retardants end up in our lakes and oceans. Before graduate school, I earned a B.Sc. in chemistry from MIT and spent two years in environmental consulting. When I'm not doing chemistry in the lab, I'm doing chemistry at home (brewing beer).
Pollution

The Difference between Dippers and Divers: Plastic Pollution in Deep-Diving Seabirds

Plastic pollution is commonly imagined to be an issue that affects the sea surface. However, many small pieces of plastic…
July 25, 2017July 24, 2017 Carrie McDonough
Chemistry

Fireproofing the Arctic

Chemicals that are stable enough for our everyday use are often remarkably stable in the natural environment as well. This…
June 27, 2017 Carrie McDonough
Chemistry

After the Phase Out: Can Banning Toxic Chemicals Rescue Pilot Whales?

When it comes to persistent pollutants, all roads lead to the ocean. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a chemical that has…
May 24, 2017May 24, 2017 Carrie McDonough
Science Communication

Apply for ComSciCon17 Now!

Applications are open for the Communicating Science 2017 (ComSciCon17) workshop, to be held in Cambridge, MA on June 8-10, 2017!…
February 8, 2017February 9, 2017 Carrie McDonough
Science Communication

Diversity within Marine Science: We Can Do Better (Guest Post by Danielle Perry)

The lack of diversity within STEM, particularly marine science, is an apparent issue within the scientific community. What is discouraging…
January 24, 2017January 24, 2017 Carrie McDonough
Policy

What Does the US Election Mean for Our Oceans?

The oceans are subject to the whims of national policy, and yet they know no borders. Being poor ocean stewards…
November 16, 2016November 17, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Pollution

A Junkyard in the Belly of a Whale

A candy wrapper, plastic bags, car parts, packing materials, and fishing gear… it sounds like a list of things you…
October 24, 2016October 24, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Chemistry

Beyond CO2: Chemical Consequences of Our Love Affair with Fossil Fuels

Our world relies heavily on the burning of biological materials such as wood or fossil fuels to harness energy. While…
September 30, 2016September 29, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Science Communication

Notes from the Undergrads 2016: Part II

This summer, undergraduate students from all over the United States have come to the University of Rhode Island Graduate School…
August 10, 2016August 9, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Science Communication

Notes from the Undergrads 2016: Part I

This summer, undergraduate students from all over the United States have come to the University of Rhode Island Graduate School…
August 9, 2016August 11, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Biology

Guest Post: Tiger Beach, Bahamas: A Safe Haven for Female Tiger Sharks

Over the past few decades, the plight of sharks has been overshadowed by greed for shark fin soup and fears…
June 28, 2016July 2, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Science Communication

Inside Oceanbites: Why Do Scientists Blog?

On this International Webloggers’ Day, we decided to turn our focus to the scientist-writers who make Oceanbites possible. Since I created…
June 14, 2016June 14, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Chemistry

What’s in the Hair of a Polar Bear?

The accumulation of toxic methylmercury is a serious threat to wildlife all over the world – especially top predators in…
May 17, 2016May 16, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Chemistry

Spawning Under the Influence: Drugs and Toxins Found in Salmon

You may think you’re familiar with the side effects of most common medications, but there are other, hidden side effects…
April 18, 2016April 19, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Alternative Energy

Tides and Waves: Sources of Endless Energy

Today's guest post by Amin Mivehchi is a brief introduction on harnessing tidal energy from the power plants of the…
March 31, 2016March 31, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Chemistry Climate Change

Lead Pollution in Antarctic Waters: Have We Cleaned Up Our Act?

Researchers traveled to the far reaches of Antarctica to determine whether lead levels there have declined since humans started cleaning…
February 25, 2016February 25, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Science Communication

Calling STEM Grad Students: Apply for ComSciCon 2016!

Applications are now open for the Communicating Science 2016 workshop, to be held in Cambridge, MA on June 9-11, 2016.…
February 7, 2016February 7, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Book Review Survey

February Theme Week Survey

Let us know what you’d like to read about in February by choosing one of the options below! Whichever topic…
January 8, 2016April 6, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Conservation Science Communication

Blue New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions are a great way to work towards being the person you want to be. This year, why…
January 1, 2016January 2, 2016 Carrie McDonough
Chemistry

Please Pass the Plastic

Tiny shards and fibers of plastic termed “microplastics” accumulate in seafood with unknown consequences for human health. Now, they’re turning…
December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 Carrie McDonough

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