Coastal Management Ecology
It takes two: Eelgrass and clams reduce erosion in coastal environments
How do benthic communities help stabilize the sediment and prevent erosion?
Author: Hannah Collins
I’m a first year PhD student in Oceanography at the University of Connecticut, Avery Point. My current research interests involve microplastics and their effects on marine suspension feeding bivalves, and biological solutions to the issue of microplastics. Prior to grad school I received my B.S in Biology from Gettysburg College, and worked for the U.S Geological Survey before spending two years at a remote salmon hatchery in Alaska. Most of my free time is spent at the gym, fostering cats for a local rescue, and trying to find the best cold brew in southeastern CT.
Biological oceanography deep sea Genetics
How do symbiotic relationships with bacteria help snails adapt to the deep sea?
Deep-sea snails obtain bacterial symbionts from the surrounding environment, allowing them to survive in harsh environments
Climate Change Ocean Acidification
Does increasing ocean acidification mean sharks need a trip to the dentist?
How does ocean acidification affect shark teeth?
Climate Change
A plankTON of heat: How do copepods respond to temperature and warming oceans?
Is climate change causing problems for those tiny crustaceans?
Oysters
Oysters, bacteria, and parasites, oh my!
How does infection with parasites influence levels of Vibrio bacteria in oysters?
Climate Change
Turn down the heat: Climate change and plasticizers affect marine mussels differently depending on sex
How does climate change and plastic chemical additives affect marine organisms?
Coastal Management Harmful Algal Bloom Human impacts Oysters
Shells and cells: Lack of oxygen and the presence of bacteria contribute to oyster mortality
Lack of oxygen for a long period of time is bad for oysters, but is that the whole story?
Coastal Management Conservation Fisheries
Surf and TURF(s): A Cry for Kelp
How does kelp harvesting affect kelp populations? How can scientists use this information to better inform management policies?
Hazards Human Health
Sunrise, sterilize, sunset, repeat: Heat and sunshine work together to kill COVID-19
Heat and UV radiation can kill COVID-19 viral particles on beaches, so taking a trip to the beach is a…
Biology Human impacts Lakes Plastic
Can Green Algae Capture Microplastics in the Great Lakes?
Microplastics (specifically microfibers) can adhere to the cell walls of the green algae Cladophora, potentially removing them from the water.
Biology Climate Change Human impacts
Marine heat waves leave seabeds ice cold
Marine heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, and can have negative effects on invertebrate…
Biology Human impacts Pollution
Do pesticides negatively affect moon jellyfish?
Do pesticides negatively affect the polyp life stage of moon jellies? Evidence suggests no, at least for tested pesticides.
Fisheries Human impacts Plastic
Don’t get ~tide~ down: Are biodegradable nets a good solution to the ghost fishing problem?
Biodegradable nets are a potential solution to the ghost fishing problem-or the phenomenon of lost fishing nets still catching animals.…
Biological oceanography Plastic
Can Pacific Oysters handle a bit of microplastics in the lab? Shuck yeah!
Filter feeding animals like oysters can be exposed to small plastic particles, called microplastics, as they filter food out of…