Graduate Students

Alissa Rickborn

My PhD broadly focuses on climate change and the Oregon coast. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how future levels of ocean acidification (OA) will impact invertebrate life histories and species interactions. To do this, I use the common breadcrumb sponge Halichondria panicea (found from the Aleutian Islands to the tip of Baja, and all over the Oregon Coast) as a model. My research uses a combination of natural history, field, and controlled laboratory techniques to understand and predict OA impacts on sponges and their associated invertebrate communities.

Before coming to Oregon State University I completed a Master’s degree at Boston University where I studied tropical marine ecology in the labs of Dr. Les Kaufman and Dr. Peter Buston. My Master’s thesis focused on the spatial ecology of the yellow tube sponge Aplysina fistularis. I was interested in how patterns of spatial distribution were related to biotic interactions (predation, occupation by symbiotic fish, and disease). Over my three years at BU, I spent over 9 months at my field sites on the Belizean barrier reef where I developed a “deep” love for tropical invertebrate taxonomy, diving, and underwater research. I specialize in sponge taxonomy, biology, and ecology.

Barbara Spiecker
spieckeb@OREGONSTATE.EDU (SHE/HER)

I am broadly interested in the synergy of environmental factors in sculpting community patterns and dynamics in the context of climate change. My current research involves understanding spatiotemporal variation in the strength of El Niño and how bottom-up inputs (i.e. coastal upwelling) modify the strength of El Niño’s effects on the abundance and distribution of common intertidal kelp communities. Before coming to Oregon State University, I acquired my M.S. degree in Marine Biology from Northeastern University as a part of the Three Seas program. There, I developed a mathematical meta-ecosystem model to study reciprocal feedbacks between spatial subsidies and reserve networks in coral reef meta-ecosystems. I acquired my B.S. in Biology from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Communication is a powerful catalyst, turning thought into progress. It allows us to discuss, grow, and change together as a society. As a strong believer in using communication and connection to empower individuals, I am actively involved in making STEM accessible in American Sign Language (ASL) for deaf students through development of STEM educational resources in ASL, providing STEM professional developments and trainings to K-12 schools, universities, and organizations, and leading STEM camps for deaf students.

Heather Fulton-Bennett
FULTONBH@OREGONSTATE.EDU (SHE/HER)

My PhD focuses on how calcified red algae (Order Corallinales) and their associated invertebrate and fleshy algal communities will be affected by changing ocean conditions. Using field experiments along the Oregon and New Zealand coasts, paired with mesocosm experiments I am studying how recovery from disturbance and species interactions will change under the more extreme and higher variability conditions expected in the near future. I am also interested in how science can inform marine policy, as well as engaging citizens in their local coastal environments.

Before joining OSU, I completed a Master's degree at Moss Landing Marine Labs with Drs. Michael Graham and Scott Hamilton, studying the morphology and ecology of the intertidal kelp Egregia menziesii. My time at MLML developed my love of seaweed biodiversity and taxonomy, and I am endlessly fascinated by the diversity of morphologies and the key role kelps and fucoids play in structuring nearshore environments. I have also worked on research projects in Mexico, Chile, Canada, and the Mediterranean on topics from seaweed aquaculture to sea turtle habitat mapping to ballast water treatment systems and absolutely love exploring new places and projects. When not working (and sometimes when I should be working), I enjoy surfing, freediving, gardening, and photography.
For more information see my website.

Silke Bachhuber
bachhubs@oregonstate.edu (She/Her)

My research focuses on the effects of climate change on interactions between species. My current work in Oregon and California is focused on understanding the role two intertidal predators, the common dogwhelk Nucella ostrina and the six-armed sea star Leptasterias spp., play in determining community structure across a wide biogeographic gradient.

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara and worked with Professors Gretchen Hofmann and Carol Blanchette on a variety of projects, including ecological assessment and monitoring after the 2015 Refugio Canyon oil spoll, investigating the effects of ocean acidification on the larvae of Red Abalone, Haliotis rufescens, and assessing the epigenetic effects of temperature and OA exposure on the larvae of purple sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.

Sara Hamilton
hamiltsa@OREGONSTATE.EDU (SHE/HER)

I'm a subtidal ecologist co-advised by Bruce and Dr. Kirsten Grorud-Colvert. I study kelp forest ecology in nearshore Oregon, focusing on population dynamics of bull kelp and trophic ecology of purple urchins. My interests are broad however, and I also do work on projects focusing on MPAs with Kirsten and Dr. Jane Lubchenco and on global fishing effort with Dr. Jame Watson (OSU- Geography). I'm an east-coast transplant with undergraduate degree in biology and gender and women’s studies in 2016 from Bowdoin College. My favorite activities include finding succulents to add to my office collection, eating fancy cheeses, and being bad at rock climbing.

Zechariah Meunier
meunierz@OREGONSTATE.EDU (He/Him)

I am a coastal ecologist specializing in quantitative analyses of community structure and dynamics. My PhD research focuses on succession, diversity, and stability in rocky intertidal habitats of Oregon, California, and Nova Scotia. Using both empirical and theoretical methods, I study how local and regional processes integrate to influence community assembly, with particular emphasis on the role of priority effects. Prior to joining the Hacker and Menge-Lubchenco labs, I earned my BA in biology and environmental studies from Lawrence University. Collaborating with Dr. Alyssa Hakes, I studied how beachgrass mediates biocontrol weevil herbivory of a federally protected thistle species in dunes along Lake Michigan. Aside from research, I am passionate about promoting conservation, communicating ecology and natural history to broad audiences, and volunteering for Science Olympiad competitions.

Emily Boring
boringem@OREGONSTATE.EDU (SHE/HER)

I am a first-year graduate student co-advised by Bruce Menge and Kirsten Grorud-Colvert. I completed my B.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Yale University, studying the evolutionary history and phylogenetics of freshwater darters. I use genetic tools to answer questions about ecosystem connectivity for the sea star Leptasterias sp. I examine two measures of genetic exchange: the relatedness of sea stars within a site, and the population structure among geographically separate sites. This fine-scale phylogeography will allow better predictions of possible genetic response of Leptasterias to sea star wasting disease.

In addition to research, I'm passionate about science communication. Following the frameworks of AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER), I explore the communication of evolution to religious audiences.

Maya Feezell
Feezellm@oregonstate.edu (SHe/her)

I am a first-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.

Caitlin Magel

Caitlin is a PhD student co-advised by Drs. Francis Chan and Sally Hacker. Her interests stem from a fascination with the ways human impacts can drive change in coastal ecosystems. For her dissertation research, Caitlin is examining the role of eelgrass and macroalgae in reducing Pacific Northwest estuary susceptibility to ocean acidification.