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This guest blog highlights the experience of a Santa Rosa Junior College - Bodega Marine Laboratory Internship Program participant. The SRJC-BML Internship program is committed to creating an inclusive space for the development of new scientists and leaders and to provide interns with experience conducting research essential to developing careers in the sciences. 

Coral reefs are foundational and iconic ecosystems that have long captivated many with their vibrant colors, interesting ecology, and ecosystem productivity. However, these beautiful reefs are facing their biggest challenge yet: climate change. How can immobile marine organisms, such as corals, survive and thrive in waters that are steadily warming? Leslie Guerrero, a PhD student in the Bay Lab at UC Davis, is working tirelessly to answer these questions.

The flashlight illuminates tens of thousands of swirling, floating specks, each no bigger than a breadcrumb. Raising my voice to be heard over the low roar of machinery in the wet lab, I ask Dr.

On May 3, 2021, the UC Davis Coastal & Marine Sciences Institute hosted Dr. Hilda Lloréns, an Associate Professor at the University of Rhode Island and an author of multiple books. Dr. Lloréns is a cultural anthropologist and de-colonial scholar whose research is centered on how racial and gender inequality manifests itself in access to environmental resources and exposure to environmental degradation.

On April 5, 2021, the UC Davis Coastal & Marine Sciences Institute hosted a conversation with Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali, facilitated by Dr. Liz Whiteman. Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali is a giant in the field of environmental justice, and has spearheaded and served on many different roles throughout his career to uplift communities affected by social and environmental injustices. Dr. Ali’s career includes time as a Brookings Institution Congressional Fellow and 24 years at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

On March 15, 2021, UC Davis Coastal & Marine Sciences Institute hosted Mr. Douglas Mundo, who was the second speaker in the Climate Justice Seminar Series;  the series was designed to give scientists frameworks to leverage their training and expertise in support of the climate justice movement. Mr.

This article is a guest post by Maya Weeks, a Ph.D. candidate at UC Davis, and a recipient of the 2020-2021 Bilinski Fellowships at Bodega Marine Laboratory. This blog is featured here because we recognize the need to showcase diverse viewpoints and experiences. The views and opinions expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the position of the Institute, UC Davis, or the UC system.

Written by: Maya Weeks

cup corals

hang tight

Once abundant, white abalone were critically overfished in the 1970s. With the remaining wild white abalone so far apart from one another that they were unable to reproduce successfully, experts determined that captive breeding and outplanting were the best ways to save the species. After early breeding efforts were hampered by disease, the program headquarters moved to UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory in 2011.

Dr. Dietmar Kueltz describes himself as  “...a comparative biologist and most interested in mechanisms of stress-induced evolution. My lab studies how fish and marine invertebrates counteract environmental stress.” Originally from Berlin, Germany, he grew up interested in aquatic life. “I was diving and swimming a lot,” he said, “and I am interested in watersports and just about everything aquatic.” Dr. Kueltz attributes this early love of aquatics to his interest in studying stress and evolution in aquatic organisms.

On November 30th, 2020, the UC Davis Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute welcomed Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson as the first speaker in our Climate Justice Seminar Series. Dr. Johnson is among the world’s most influential marine biologists, as well as a policy expert, writer, and advocate for coastal communities.