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Author: Zak Kerrigan

I am completing my doctorate at the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island where I study the community structure and evolution of deep-sea sediment bacteria. I have also been an adjunct professor at the Community College of Rhode Island for two years. I earned a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Miami and spent 12 years in the US Navy driving submarines before coming back to grad school.
Peace for Coral Reefs
Biodiversity Biology Coastal Management Conservation Coral Ecology Fisheries Human impacts Policy Trophic Ecology

Peace for Coral Reefs

As the world has learned over the past several months, a little solitude goes a long way towards a healthy…
June 30, 2020June 29, 2020 Zak Kerrigan
Pteropods are Ptough: How one of the ocean’s most fragile creatures may cope with climate change
Atmospheric Chemistry Biochemistry Biological oceanography Chemistry Climate Change Conservation Human impacts Ocean Acidification

Pteropods are Ptough: How one of the ocean’s most fragile creatures may cope with climate change

Climate change, due to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide from fossil fuel burning, is arguably the most important issue…
February 15, 2018February 14, 2018 Zak Kerrigan
Snowmageddon: A lighthearted start to Marine Snow theme week
Biochemistry Biological oceanography deep sea Ecology Fisheries Harmful Algal Bloom Human Health Oysters Trophic Ecology

Snowmageddon: A lighthearted start to Marine Snow theme week

While the term “marine snow” may conjure images of an aquatic winter wonderland, some aspects of this phenomenon may not…
January 22, 2018January 22, 2018 Zak Kerrigan
Solstice Strategies for Survival: Yule be amazed!
Behavior Ecology

Solstice Strategies for Survival: Yule be amazed!

Winter blues got ya down? For some organisms on our planet, the shortened days may influence their very survival. On…
December 21, 2017December 21, 2017 Zak Kerrigan
Growing a Scientist: Undergraduate Research 2017
Biological oceanography Book Review deep sea Genetics ocean engineering Remote Sensing Science Communication Undergraduate Research

Growing a Scientist: Undergraduate Research 2017

Each summer, the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) hosts undergraduate students from all over the country…
August 25, 2017 Zak Kerrigan
Biological oceanography Fisheries Genetics genomics

The Molecular Industrial Complex: What shrimp exoskeleton formation can tell us about life’s building strategy

Have you ever wondered just how our bodies know to repair damaged skin or build muscle after an intense workout?…
May 9, 2017May 8, 2017 Zak Kerrigan
Biodiversity Biological oceanography Conservation Ecology Fisheries Human impacts

Marine Protected Areas need more than just a name

It is no secret that the Earth’s oceans are in trouble. Every day there is a new article on rising…
April 11, 2017April 11, 2017 Zak Kerrigan
Biological oceanography Biology Microbiology

Hunter-Chiller: Multiple feeding strategies for some of the world’s smallest organisms

Because of their ability to conduct photosynthesis, most of our planet’s oxygen comes from microscopic organisms in the ocean called…
March 10, 2017 Zak Kerrigan
Biochemistry Biological oceanography Climate Change Ecology Evolution Genetics

Clamate Change: How clams may be able to cope with a warming world

Global temperatures are increasing at a rate never before seen in Earth’s history. Although efforts to mitigate this are still…
February 9, 2017February 9, 2017 Zak Kerrigan
Biochemistry Biological oceanography Coastal Management Conservation Ecology Human impacts

Paradise Loss: How humans are impacting coastal reef communities

Humans are drawn to beautiful beaches and warm water, and with us come the conveniences of modern day civilization. While…
January 17, 2017 Zak Kerrigan
Ecology Ocean Exploration Science Communication

Polarized: What makes the North Pole the ideal location for Santa and his crew?

Location, location, location. He may not need to be in the best school district, or have an easy commute to…
December 13, 2016 Zak Kerrigan
Biological oceanography

Microbes: The original organic cleaning agents

Natural and human caused leakage of oil into the environment is commonplace throughout the world. Scientists are learning how microbes…
November 15, 2016November 15, 2016 Zak Kerrigan
Biology

Germ Stowaways: How Plastic Waste Has Become an Environment for Harmful Bacteria

For over 100 years, plastic has been integrated into our everyday lives. It has been used to make life better…
October 19, 2016October 19, 2016 Zak Kerrigan
Behavior Book Review

Count On It: Cuttlefish Risk Management

As any gambler will tell you, the higher the financial risk, the larger the potential reward. As it turns out,…
September 26, 2016 Zak Kerrigan
Biology

Coral Microbiome Health: There’s no probiotic yogurt for that

Coral reefs are essential to the overall health of the planet. Comprised of tiny, individual animals, these massive ecosystems contain…
August 30, 2016August 31, 2016 Zak Kerrigan

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