Current Grad Students

Xavius Boone - PhD Student (entered Fall 2020)
xkboone@ucdavis.edu
C.V.
I am broadly interested in how species composition affects the resilience of coastal ecosystems. I am exploring how interspecific interactions can be incorporated into restoration efforts to improve ecosystem stability.
xkboone@ucdavis.edu
C.V.
I am broadly interested in how species composition affects the resilience of coastal ecosystems. I am exploring how interspecific interactions can be incorporated into restoration efforts to improve ecosystem stability.

Ric DeSantiago - PhD Student (entered Fall 2018)
rdesantiago@sdsu.edu
Website
C.V.
I am broadly interested in coastal communities. I would like to understand how natural and anthropogenic stressors impact trophic interactions in the sea and land. More specifically, I am interested in how introduced species impact nutrient availability and food web dynamics. Currently, I am working on a project to understand how invasive subtidal seaweeds impact intertidal herbivore communities as they wash onto the shore.
rdesantiago@sdsu.edu
Website
C.V.
I am broadly interested in coastal communities. I would like to understand how natural and anthropogenic stressors impact trophic interactions in the sea and land. More specifically, I am interested in how introduced species impact nutrient availability and food web dynamics. Currently, I am working on a project to understand how invasive subtidal seaweeds impact intertidal herbivore communities as they wash onto the shore.

Ana Gomez - M.S. Student (entered Fall 2020, Co-avised by Dr. Rulon Clark)
sofiaforjadores@gmail.com
Website
C.V.
I am interested in analyzing the trophic structures of island ecosystems using stable isotopes. Isotopic signatures can help us understand the role of nutrient subsidies provided by seabirds.
sofiaforjadores@gmail.com
Website
C.V.
I am interested in analyzing the trophic structures of island ecosystems using stable isotopes. Isotopic signatures can help us understand the role of nutrient subsidies provided by seabirds.

Jessica Patzlaff - M.S. Student (entered Fall 2021)
jjpatzlaff@gmail.com
C.V.
My research interests are fairly broad within marine ecology, but I’m specifically interested in species interactions and habitat partitioning of marine invertebrates! Through my research, I hope to inform black abalone conservation and management by studying microhabitat usage and survival patterns across life stages of abalone. Other than science, I enjoy snorkeling, SCUBA diving with reefcheck, hiking, and spending time with friends.
jjpatzlaff@gmail.com
C.V.
My research interests are fairly broad within marine ecology, but I’m specifically interested in species interactions and habitat partitioning of marine invertebrates! Through my research, I hope to inform black abalone conservation and management by studying microhabitat usage and survival patterns across life stages of abalone. Other than science, I enjoy snorkeling, SCUBA diving with reefcheck, hiking, and spending time with friends.
Past Grad Students

Renee Dolecal (M.S. 2012)
rdolecal@gmail.com
Thesis: Chemically-mediated foraging by subtidal marine predators: a field test of tritrophic signaling
Current Position: Lab Manager, SDSU Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory. Aquaculture Scientist
rdolecal@gmail.com
Thesis: Chemically-mediated foraging by subtidal marine predators: a field test of tritrophic signaling
Current Position: Lab Manager, SDSU Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory. Aquaculture Scientist

Alex Warneke (M.S. 2014)
a.warneke@yahoo.com
Website ~ Twitter
C.V.
Thesis: Copper contamination influences the effectiveness of seaweed inudcible defenses
Current Position: Deputy Director, Climate Science Alliance
a.warneke@yahoo.com
Website ~ Twitter
C.V.
Thesis: Copper contamination influences the effectiveness of seaweed inudcible defenses
Current Position: Deputy Director, Climate Science Alliance

Chris Kwan (PhD 2016)
chrkwan@ucdavis.edu
C.V.
Thesis: Impact of copper pollutants and environmental factors on predator-prey interactions in marine food chains
Current Position: Environmental Scientist, State Water Resource Board
chrkwan@ucdavis.edu
C.V.
Thesis: Impact of copper pollutants and environmental factors on predator-prey interactions in marine food chains
Current Position: Environmental Scientist, State Water Resource Board

Emily Jones (PhD 2016)
emjones@gmail.com
Website ~ Twitter
C.V.
Thesis: Factors affecting the strength and sensitivity of an herbivore-induced seaweed defense
Current Position: Lecturer, Humboldt State University
emjones@gmail.com
Website ~ Twitter
C.V.
Thesis: Factors affecting the strength and sensitivity of an herbivore-induced seaweed defense
Current Position: Lecturer, Humboldt State University

Shelby Rinehart (PhD 2018)
sarinehart@ua.edu
Website
C.V.
Thesis: Predator-prey dynamics in Southern California salt marshes
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Drexel University
sarinehart@ua.edu
Website
C.V.
Thesis: Predator-prey dynamics in Southern California salt marshes
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Drexel University

Chris Knight (M.S. 2019)
cjknight@stanford.edu
Website
Thesis: Conspecific cues, not starvation, mediate habitat-specific responses of urchins to predation risk
Current Position: PhD Student, Stanford University
cjknight@stanford.edu
Website
Thesis: Conspecific cues, not starvation, mediate habitat-specific responses of urchins to predation risk
Current Position: PhD Student, Stanford University

Jan Walker (PhD 2020)
janw@sccwrp.org
Website
C.V.
Thesis: A biogeographic approach to understanding burrowing crab impacts on an ecologically important salt marsh plant
Current Position: Ecologist, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
janw@sccwrp.org
Website
C.V.
Thesis: A biogeographic approach to understanding burrowing crab impacts on an ecologically important salt marsh plant
Current Position: Ecologist, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project

Anthony "Big T" Truong (M.S. 2022)
anthony.truong77@gmail.com
C.V.
I'm interested in climate induced changes to the physiology and distribution of macroalgae, and the broader community level impacts of these changes. I'm particularly interested in comparing how these changes may differentially impact native and non-native macroaglae and, in turn, influence our natural resources.
anthony.truong77@gmail.com
C.V.
I'm interested in climate induced changes to the physiology and distribution of macroalgae, and the broader community level impacts of these changes. I'm particularly interested in comparing how these changes may differentially impact native and non-native macroaglae and, in turn, influence our natural resources.
Current Undergrads and Volunteers

Matt Sato
emailmatthewsato@gmail.com
C.V.
Interests: I am interested in analyzing how changes in the environment affect ecosystems in the intertidal and neretic zones.
emailmatthewsato@gmail.com
C.V.
Interests: I am interested in analyzing how changes in the environment affect ecosystems in the intertidal and neretic zones.
Past Undergrads and Technicians
Arra Revilla (2010): Clinical Laboratory Scientist-Specialist, UCSD Health
John Carpena (2010): Supervisor, Data Analysis, and Review, Millenium Health
Jaclyn Cadwallader (2010): Clinical Cytogenecist, Genetics Center (Orange, CA)
Laura Porturas (2012): Assistant Curator, Penn State's Frost Entomological Museum, Received M.S. from Syracuse
Jenna Hayward (2012): Guest Experience Ambassador, Monterey Bay Aquarium
Phil Hitchcock (2012): Intern, Lindsay Wildlife Hospital
Hanson Ewertz (2012): Lab Technician in Microbiology Department at Enviromatrix Analytical Inc.
Nan Nourn (2013): PhD Student, Michigan State University
Ross Collins (2013)
Greg Boecker (2013): Intern, Naval Marine Mammal Program
Trevor Corona (2013): Substitute Teacher, middle and high schools in Sweetwater Union School District
Ross Cooper (2014): California Sea Grant State Fellow
Corey Muir (2014): AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder
Emily Tylka (2014)
Rainee Wright (2014)
Grant Cooper (2015)
Breanna Goldsby (2015): Medical Student, American University of the Caribbean (Sint Maarten, Caribbean)
Keiko Nomura (2015): M.S. Student, Oregon State University
McKenna Pace (2016): Positions with the Forest Service and National Parks
Wendi White (2018): M.S. Student, UMass Boston
Gabe Greenberg-pines (2018): M.S. Student, University of British Columbia
Melissa Belen-Gonzalez (2018): UGA Marine Education Fellow (Skidaway Island, GA)
Larissa Fields (2019): M.S. Student, Cal Poly Pomona
Parker Richardson (2019): M.S. Student, CSU Long Beach
Bria Gorman (2019): Graduate Student, M.S. Student - Biological and Medical Informatics, SDSU
Sam Folger (2019)
Sydney Hight (2019)
Austin Wayne (2019)
Halina Perez (2020)
Mackenna Denton (2020): Associate Recruitment Consultant, Real Staffing SThree
Arra Revilla (2010): Clinical Laboratory Scientist-Specialist, UCSD Health
John Carpena (2010): Supervisor, Data Analysis, and Review, Millenium Health
Jaclyn Cadwallader (2010): Clinical Cytogenecist, Genetics Center (Orange, CA)
Laura Porturas (2012): Assistant Curator, Penn State's Frost Entomological Museum, Received M.S. from Syracuse
Jenna Hayward (2012): Guest Experience Ambassador, Monterey Bay Aquarium
Phil Hitchcock (2012): Intern, Lindsay Wildlife Hospital
Hanson Ewertz (2012): Lab Technician in Microbiology Department at Enviromatrix Analytical Inc.
Nan Nourn (2013): PhD Student, Michigan State University
Ross Collins (2013)
Greg Boecker (2013): Intern, Naval Marine Mammal Program
Trevor Corona (2013): Substitute Teacher, middle and high schools in Sweetwater Union School District
Ross Cooper (2014): California Sea Grant State Fellow
Corey Muir (2014): AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder
Emily Tylka (2014)
Rainee Wright (2014)
Grant Cooper (2015)
Breanna Goldsby (2015): Medical Student, American University of the Caribbean (Sint Maarten, Caribbean)
Keiko Nomura (2015): M.S. Student, Oregon State University
McKenna Pace (2016): Positions with the Forest Service and National Parks
Wendi White (2018): M.S. Student, UMass Boston
Gabe Greenberg-pines (2018): M.S. Student, University of British Columbia
Melissa Belen-Gonzalez (2018): UGA Marine Education Fellow (Skidaway Island, GA)
Larissa Fields (2019): M.S. Student, Cal Poly Pomona
Parker Richardson (2019): M.S. Student, CSU Long Beach
Bria Gorman (2019): Graduate Student, M.S. Student - Biological and Medical Informatics, SDSU
Sam Folger (2019)
Sydney Hight (2019)
Austin Wayne (2019)
Halina Perez (2020)
Mackenna Denton (2020): Associate Recruitment Consultant, Real Staffing SThree