Promoting Research Investigations in the Marine Environment, Oregon 2011
PRIME Internship at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology in Charleston, OR
Settlement rates of fouling species in the small boat basin, Charleston, OR
Advisor: Dr. Richard Emlet, Professor, Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon
Boat harbors are places where introduced species are very common,and the Charleston Boat Basin is no exception. This study would examine summer season settlement rates of as many species as can be identified at or shortly after settlement. In addition to documenting temporal patterns of settlement the project could also compare among places within and among boat basins and create a photo log to help identify newly settled colonies (photo initially and repeatedly - follow until they can be identified).:
Wound healing in larval invertebrates
Advisor: Dr. George von Dassow, Senior Research Associate, Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon
Many invertebrates spend the first phase of their life cycle as larvae in the plankton. Many of these planktonic larvae are soft-bodied and seemingly fragile, but live and feed for months in this often violent environment. We are curious to know whether and how these larvae heal wounds in their tissues. To investigate this, we will induce small superficial wounds and use fluorescent molecular probes to study how nearby cells change their shape and behavior in response.
Surf-zone hydrodynamics and the delivery of larvae to the shore
Advisor: Dr. Alan Shanks, Professor, Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon
Many common marine organisms develop through a series of larval forms before they take on their adult shape. Understanding how the movement of larval invertebrates and fish is affected by currents and the behavioral of the larvae themselves is important in understanding the life-history, population dynamics, and distribution of a species. The intern will work with Dr. Alan Shanks on a project examining how the movement of water in the surf zone might affect the delivery of larvae to the shore.
Additional requirements:: Field work will take place in the surf-zone therefore the intern must be a strong swimmer. The project may require the intern to start before June 20th.
Please note: The first month of the internship with Dr. Shanks will be spent doing field work in Monterey Bay, CA. Transportation from OIMB and housing in Monterey will be provided. The second month of the internship will be spent at OIMB.
PRIME Internships at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, OR
Assessment of Burrowing Shrimp Populations in Yaquina Bay, OR
Advisors: Dr. Brett Dumbauld, Ecologist, USDA Agriculture Research Service, and Katelyn Bosley, PhD student, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University
Burrowing shrimp inhabit vast expanses of the intertidal and play an essential role as ecosystem engineers in Oregon estuaries. In recent years, significant decline of two endemic species of burrowing shrimp have led to investigation of the population biology and ecology of these organisms. An intern will work with Dr. Brett Dumbauld and PhD student Katelyn Bosley to conduct population assessments of two species of burrowing shrimp in Yaquina Bay, OR. Both species, but particularly ghost shrimp, Neotrypaea californiensis recruited to the Idaho Flats area of Yaquina Bay next to the science center in 2010 and we hope to track their growth and distribution in 2011. Shrimp populations in the Idaho flats area will be mapped and surveys will be conducted to estimate total shrimp abundance. Data collected in this study will provide important information which will be used in building population dynamics models for these populations.
Fireworks and Seabirds Disturbance Study
Advisor: Shawn W. Stephensen, Refuge Wildlife Biologist, Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received reports last year that seabirds were possibly disturbed at the Boiler Bay colony because of the Depoe Bay firework celebration. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act it is unlawful to take seabirds. The study will determine whether or not the fireworks cause adult mortality, birds to abandoned their nests, or cause chicks or eggs to be lost. The research intern would work on the fireworks and seabirds disturbance study at Depoe Bay this summer. The intern must be able to work independently but will receive training. Also, we plan to conduct six aerial surveys of the colony with a fixed-wing aircraft. If the intern wants to participate in the aerial surveys, they will need to attend aircraft safety training in Newport. More info on the training as the schedule develops.
Additional requirements:: Intern must have a valid driver license in order to drive a state vehicle for travel to field sites.
Promoting Research Investigations in the Marine Environment, Washington 2011
Effects of ocean acidification and climate change on plankton communities and the
development of pacific oyster larvae
Advisor: Dr. Jude Apple Marine Scientist/Biological Oceanographer and Public Education Specialist, Shannon Point Marine Center, Western Washington University
This project will combine laboratory experiments, field work and research cruises in the San Juan Islands to
investigate the effects of elevated CO2 on marine organisms.
A study of rocky intertidal sea anemones and the symbiotic algae they host.
Advisor: Dr. Brian Bingham Marine Ecologist, Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University
This project will focus on two common intertidal sea anemones with the goal of understanding why the same
temperature stress causes one species to lose its algal symbionts (bleach) while the other does not.
