Preliminary Disease Risk Assessment in Giant Kelp Aquaculture on the US Pacific Coast

Our research was a multi-institutional study to ultimately look for the best aquaculture practices for biofuel production. Kate and I’s particular role in the project was to establish a preliminary assessment of disease risk associated with giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera aquaculture. To do this, we would access diseases present and the severity of infestation compared to harvested biomass. In addition, we would determine if there was genetic resistance occurring within the harvest.

In order to create correlations, I examined kelp blade photos provided by the University of California Santa Barbara where the harvest took place. These photos represented the best, average, and worst of each genetic variation. For each plant, we determined what pests were present and the severity of infestation by creating a ranked percentage scale. Once this was complete and with additional information provided by the University of California, we were able to then run calculations to determine correlations between kelp biomass, genotypic marker, and infections present.

My interests lie in restoring marine ecosystems by accessing population genetics and the micro-community. Macroalgae are crucial for many marine environments for they are keystone species and ecosystem engineers. This study was an amazing opportunity to become familiar with macroalgae and to begin to access what pests could be present and the effects they cause.

Yes! Significant losses of Macrocystis pyrifera biomass were found with infestations of Hydroids and again with the combination of Amphipods and Bryozoans.

An interesting observation was that It was common for Amphipods infestations to be secondary to Bryozoan infestations. This interaction would be something interesting to research in the future.

Luckily, in the midst of the pandemic, this project was able to be done with communications through zoom and shared digital files. However, it was challenging to become familiar with a new statistical program while not able to be a part of in-person learning sessions. To overcome this, my partner and I continued to keep strong and frequent communication with our research advisor to ask any questions we had.

In this project, the most valuable aspects were to work alongside a partner by strictly online interactions and to also learn more about statistical analysis. These aspects have built up the skills that I know will be needed in future research and my career. I also look forward to presenting our project which will also advance my abilities.

This CURS project gave me the experience to work with marine-related research. Though Bowling Green, OH does not have an ocean, I was fortunate to be a part of an institution that expands the opportunities for studies that are not available locally. This project gave me more confidence to reach out to graduate programs that focus on primarily marine research.

Jump in, the water is warm! Be confident that you will be supported, learn important skills, gain experience, and be a part of something big.

I make it a priority in my life to reduce waste in order to reduce pollution! My goal is to restore marine environments through research AND by having habits that support that goal in everyday life. The picture on this site is of me encouraging my community to reduce single-use plastic products and to support my initiative called #withdrawthestraw.