Celeste Leroux's graduate project focuses on the development of king crab. This photo shows a collection of blue and red king crab captured in St. Paul for the Alaska King Crab Research and Rehabilitation Program. Photo credit: Celeste Leroux.
UAF Students in Seward
UAF students studying at the "Seward Campus" are often advised by the UAF faculty at the Alaska SeaLife Center. Many of the graduate students study marine mammals or fisheries projects and enjoy the ready access to ocean life in Seward. Seward Marine Center staff help provide support for these students by offering lab and office space and by providing administrative support for student research activities.
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Mary Bozza
Advisor: Tuula Hollmen
Research: Analysis of sea duck serum immunoglobulin concentrations as a measure of baseline immune function and immune response to viral exposure toward the goal of further understanding the ecology of viral disease in Steller's eiders and other declining sea duck populations in Alaska. - Abigail Ellsworth
Co-Advisors: Tuula Hollmen & Shannon Atkinson
Research: Validation and utilization of noninvasive methods to monitor reproductive endocrinology in spectaceld eiders (Somateria fischeri). - Rebekka Federer
M.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Tuula Hollmen
Research: My project aims to utilize stable isotope analysis to trace nutrient acquisition in captive breeding spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) and resource allocation to egg production. - Jared Guthridge
M.S. Fisheries
Advisor: Nicola Hillgruber
Research: Embryonic development of Atka mackerel (Pleurogrammus monopterygius) in Alaska. - Caroline Jezierski
M.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Brenda Norcross
Research: My project is looking at harbor seal behavior in the presence and absence of sea kayak tourism. I am evaluating whether humans alter seal behavior and whether we can alter human behavior through educational trainings. - Mandy Keogh
Ph.D. Marine Biology
Advisor: Shannon Atkinson
Research: I am working with several species of pinnipeds studying how endocrine function as altered by body condition, reproductive status, and stress impacts immune function ultimately influencing an individuals health and ability to survive - Celeste Leroux
M.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Ginny Eckert
Research: I am working on techniques for mass culture of king crab for the Alaska King Crab Research and Rehabilitation Program. Specifically, I am looking into how larval diet and juvenile substrate affect survival and growth rate of larval and juvenile red king crab. - Beate Litz
M.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Shannon Atkinson
Research: Few data exist for the reproductive endocrinology of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). The lack of data is largely due to the inherent challenges of collecting serial samples from large free-ranging mammals. The use of feces in monitoring reproductive endocrinology has been proven useful for many terrestrial species for several decades; however, its application to marine mammals is relatively recent. My project is investigating the feasibility of fecal sex steroid monitoring for use with Steller sea lions, using the resident animals at the Alaska SeaLife Center as models. - Matt Myers
Ph.D. Marine Biology
Advisor: Shannon Atkinson
Research: Contaminants and biomarkers in Steller sea lions. - Jeanette Nienaber
M.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Jo-Ann Mellish
Research: I am working on a baseline comparative study looking at annual thermoregulatory changes in harbor seals and steller sea lions through infrared thermography. I will be looking for overall thermal window patterns as well as comparing specific thermal sites with corresponding ultrasound sites. By collecting this data, we hope to use infrared thermography in the future for diagnostic purposes as a means to assess initial health condition in pinnipeds. - Jason N. Waite
Ph.D. Marine Biology
Advisor: Russell D. Andrews
Research: Resource partitioning and foraging competition between northern fur seals and Steller sea lions on sympatric rookeries in the Russian Far-East.