Graduate Students

Maya Feezell
[email protected] (SHe/her)

I am a third year PhD student looking at the effects of climate change on community dynamics and species interactions in marine intertidal ecosystems. I completed my B.S at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where I studied the physiological impact of climate change on Mytilus californianus in the lab of Dr. Lars Tomanek. Specifically, I looked at how feeding activity is impacted by multiple stressors, including heat shock, food availability, and oxidative stress as a result of sirtuin inhibition. I am also passionate about improving scientific communication and literacy outside of academic spaces.

Kaitlyn Tonra
[email protected] (SHE/HER)

I am a third year PhD student in the Lubchenco-Menge Lab with a broad interest in all things marine, but especially kelp, coralline algae, and species interactions under stressful conditions like ocean acidification. For my PhD I'm interested in using a combination of field surveys, field and mesocosm experiments, and molecular biology tools to explore ecological relationships and to better understand the role of microscopic life history stages in the environment. I graduated from Oberlin College in 2019 but spent a good part of my undergraduate career at UW's Friday Harbor Laboratories and the USC Wrigley Institute on Catalina Island studying seaweed and marine ecology. Before coming to OSU, I worked on the ecology and reproductive biology of Caribbean octocorals and their relationship with algal crusts in the US Virgin Islands. My hobbies include baking bagels, generally being outdoors, and SCUBA diving at every possible opportunity (I'm AAUS certified and willing to dive anywhere with anyone who needs a buddy!).

SArah Sellke
[email protected] (SHE/HER)

I’m a 4th year PhD student and I am broadly interested in how climate change impacts the intertidal community and what this means for the future of this community as a whole. My thesis research focuses on understanding the biotic and oceanographic processes that influence recruitment in rocky intertidal ecosystems. For one of my projects, I work with scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research institute to understand the importance of predation and upwelling in driving tropical intertidal invertebrate recruitment. My other projects focus on understanding intertidal kelp recruitment on the Oregon Coast. I use observational studies to look at spatial and temporal patterns in kelp recruitment. I also have an experiment that looks at the impact of shade on the growth rate of juvenile kelp. I received my undergraduate degree in Ecology from Seattle Pacific University, studying chemical communication among sea anemones under stress, as well as productivity in lakes in the San Juan Islands. Before graduate school, I worked in stream restoration near Seattle, WA, as well as cancer research. In my spare time you can find me exploring outside, reading a good book, or spending time with my dog.

Megan Davis
[email protected] (SHE/HER)

I am a second year PhD student in the Lubchenco-Menge Lab broadly interested in the nexus of marine protection and ocean-based climate solutions. Prior to joining OSU, I worked as a Researcher, splitting my time between the consultancy Ocean Collectiv, the think tank Urban Ocean Lab, and the non-profit The All We Can Save Project. I also completed a year-long fellowship with Oceana, where I worked as an analyst, using Global Fishing Watch data to increase transparency on the high seas. I hold a Bachelor's Degree with high honors in Environmental Studies from New York University. My thesis focused on modeling the global production potential for marine bivalve aquaculture. When I'm not working, I enjoy painting, running, and daydreaming about adopting a dog.

Delaney chabot
[email protected] (SHE/HER)

I am a third year Ph.D. student in the Lubchenco-Menge Lab with interests in behavioral ecology and science education. Currently, I’m working to understand ecological effects of possible purple sea urchin migration from collapsed kelp forests to the rocky intertidal zone. I hold a BA in psychology from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. I taught for several years in a variety of areas including ecology to 6th graders in the Oregon Outdoor School program and elementary substitute teaching. An avid learner, I tend to pick up many hobbies, but my current favorites are solving the New York Times crossword puzzles, jumping horses, and cooking creatively.

AugIe KaLytiak-Davis
[email protected] (He/Him)

I am a first year Ph.D. student in the Lubchenco-Menge Lab interested in the ecology of invertebrates and seaweeds during their early life-history stages. Prior to joining the lab, I worked as a research assistant at UW's Friday Harbor Laboratories, and studied at William & Mary, where I earned a B.S. in Biology and English. I am the inventor of the PBJC (peanut butter, jelly, and cheese) sandwich.

EMILY PARKER

I am a first year PhD student interested in how the intersection of abiotic and biotic stress affects individual fitness, particularly in sponge communities. I am also interested in understanding community dynamics within sponge inquiline communities. I received my B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University, with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Leadership in Integrated Learning. Before joining the lab, I worked as a research technician at the Kellogg Biological Station Long-Term Ecological Research site, where I supported numerous research projects in a wide variety of fields. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, playing tennis, and hanging out with my cats (Ash and Moose).

RODRIGO ALVES
[email protected] (He/Him)

I have been an IB PhD student since Fall 2023. I have a BSc in Biology and masters in Oceanography both from Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil. At OSU, I'm interested in studying predator-prey interactions in complex systems, multispecies functional responses, and prey switching. My hobbies include reading, swimming, and hiking. I'm also an enjoyer of tapioca and an aspirant foosball champion!