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8 days away….
First, a shameless brag about a project that I worked on as an intern which was featured in the New York Times… Fighting poisons with microbes Some recent deep-sea footage of some amazing creatures on our home planet, just in time for my deep-sea research cruise. I hope I get to spot any specimens like Continue reading
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Countdown to Manzanilla: 28 days
October is already upon us, although I can’t tell. It’s my first year living in Florida and it’s still as hot as a nun’s habit reading the Tropic of Cancer. I’ve been catching up on my background reading and practicing my experimental techniques as well as optimizing my data collection procedures. This all sounds like Continue reading
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Bacteria made you what are today and dolphins aren’t that important
When I tell people that I am a marine biologist they get very excited about my work. I know that in their mind visions of me on or in the ocean inspecting fish or having close encounters with dolphins and whales instantly flash across their mind’s eye. I can see the smile spring upon their Continue reading
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New beginnings, new research, new focus

My first week back to school and my first week of grad school has been a little window to my future. I have the privilege this year of being a research assistant which means that I earn my measly stipend doing what I came to grad school to do: research. In addition to not having Continue reading
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What is a black smoker?
The black smokers are hydrothermal vents that happen at the bottom of the ocean due to the disruption of the ocean floor as a consequence of spreading (divergence) or closing (convergence) of tectonic plates. They are rich with metals like iron and sulfur, so when the super heated material from the bottom of the ocean meets Continue reading
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Join me on my adventures through the microbial world
“Truth be told, the planets most victorious organisms have always been microscopic. In all the encounters between Davids and Goliaths, was there ever a time when a Goliath won?” ~Leon Trotsky Trout, Galapagos –Kurt Vonnegut Welcome to my blogsite. I am a first year grad student at the University of South Florida. I am very excited Continue reading