Megan Chen
Venomous sea anemones “pick their poison” depending on their life stage
Many scientists are interested in studying venom for medicinal properties. A fascinating finding from a new study involving the starlet sea anemone (Nematostella vectensis) shows that we can’t just look in the right place, we also have to look at the right time. Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from […]
3 Courtship Tips From the Ocean: Valentine’s Day Edition
Long before we celebrated V-Day, animals in the ocean have evolved courtship strategies to help them score mates. Might there be something we can learn from them? Read more to find out! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and am currently working at […]
Can we build a multisensory shark repellant?
Human-shark interactions don’t always end well on both sides. Is it possible to build a shark repellant that can keep both humans and sharks safe by using information about sharks’ sense of sight and hearing? Read more to find out! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of […]
Top 5 Highlights of Deep Sea Exploration in 2017
What have this year’s deep sea exploration expeditions encountered so far? Read more to find out! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and am currently working at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Ocean Education. I am interested in smart […]
Marine Halloween: Crabs Dress Up To Trick-or-Treat
Dressing up is a Halloween tradition. In the ocean, some animals ‘dress up’ to trick their predators or go unnoticed by their treats (prey). Read more about how these creeping crabs get into the Halloween spirit year round. Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in […]
Science Behind the Scenes: The Corps of Exploration on the Exploration Vessel Nautilus
What kind of people does it take to do research out at sea? Oceanbites writers Ashley Marranzino and Megan Chen participated in a research cruise aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus and asked the Corps of Exploration! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and […]
2+ Ocean Exploration Expeditions to Join This Year
Ninety-five percent of the ocean is unexplored, but there a few ocean expeditions happening this year that you can join! How? You can explore alongside scientists in real time. Read more to find out! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and am currently […]
Why We Need Ocean Optimism
Social science has shown that too much doom and gloom about the ocean and other environmental issues is depressing. So how do we empower more people to take action? An appropriate dose of optimism! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and am currently […]
Orca vs Narwhal
Orcas are natural predators of narwhals, but they are seasonally kept at bay by Arctic sea ice. As the Arctic becomes increasingly ice-free, killer whales are arriving earlier and hanging out longer in narwhal habitat. How do narwhals fare? Read more to find out! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management […]
Does long term SCUBA diving affect shark behaviour?
What happens when SCUBA divers and sharks mix? Do divers scare off sharks or attract them? Read more to find out! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and am currently working at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Ocean Education. […]
Sea lampreys: grow faster = grow male
A new study suggests that growth rate may determine if lampreys, an invasive fish in the Great Lakes becomes male or female. Read to find out more! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and am currently working at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum […]
Seagrasses reduce the risk of disease outbreaks
Seagrasses are one of humans’ greatest sidekicks. They are nursery areas for many species including commercially important ones, they protect coastal communities from extreme weather, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen via photosynthesis and much more. Now, research shows that seagrasses can also reduce rates of disease in humans, fishes and invertebrates such as […]
Should all shark fishing be banned?
It might seem like a no-brainer to ban shark fishing as well as the sale and trade of shark products. But scientists wonder: is there a more effective management strategy? Read more to find out! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and am […]
A scientist’s guide to addressing fake science
Do scientists have a responsibility to address fake science? If so, what should their role be? Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and am currently working at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Ocean Education. I am interested in smart […]
First evidence of plastic microfibre consumption by deep-sea animals
For the first time ever, scientists have found evidence that deep sea animals are actually consuming plastic microfibres. Read more about the study and why we should care. Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and am currently working at the Smithsonian Institution’s National […]
7 Reasons to Give Thanks For Our Ocean
This Thanksgiving, let’s give pause and reflect on reasons to be thankful for the ocean! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and am currently working at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Ocean Education. I am interested in smart and […]
Why do restaurants join sustainable seafood labelling programs?
Why do some restaurants join sustainable seafood eco-labeling programs? A new study identifies some motivating factors that can help the continued expansion of these programs to enhance their ability to harness consumer demand and encourage positive change in seafood production. Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of […]
How is the changing diet of farmed Atlantic salmon affecting their nutritional value?
We eat oily fish to get the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. However, the level of omega-3s in farmed salmon is changing. How does this stack up to wild-caught salmon? Read more to find out! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and […]
Scientists reveal a greasy discovery: swordfish lubricate their heads for speed!
Swordfish boast a variety of adaptations that makes them one of the fastest swimmers on the planet! Everything from their bills to their body build and their crescent-shaped tails helps them shave seconds off their swim time. Scientists have recently discovered yet another adaptation that allows swordfish to swim fast: they lubricate their heads. How […]
Marine Educator Conference Highlights: Glowing jellyfish, bad petitions, lost sharks & affordable VR
An ocean pharmacy made possible by jellyfish, the danger of bad petitions, the importance of understanding ‘lost sharks’, and affordable virtual reality–all highlighted in this post covering just a sliver of the National Marine Educators Association Annual Conference! Megan ChenI graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in […]
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