News

MPSL, mussels and shipwrecks, oh my!

Victoria Vasquez

SJSU/MLML's Marine Pollution Studies Lab has analyzed mussels growing near shipwrecks that are now leaching trace metals. Originally, these ships were used roughly 90 years ago during the Prohibition to smuggle Canadian whiskey. For more on this history of the shipwrecks, read this article in San Luis Obispo Tribune.

Dr. Ivano Aiello published a new paper in Nature’s Scientific Reports

Mina Sattari

MLML/SJSU's geological oceanographer, Dr. Ivano Aiello and his colleagues recently published their study, "Characteristics and Evolution of sill-driven off-axis hydrothermalism in Guaymas Basin–the Ringvent site" in Nature's Scientific reports. To help science better understand the complex evolution of hydrothermal systems, the research team studied a young marginal seafloor spreading system, the Guayamas Basin, located in the Gulf of California.

CCFRP featured in SLO Tribune

Mina Sattari

The Tribune just published an article about CCFRP and the Cal Poly team of volunteer anglers, CPFV partners, and science crew! The article highlights the origins and importance of the program ran by our Fisheries & Conservation Biology lab. The article also explains what a day on the water looks like with CCFRP, and why they value the collaboration among the local fishing community, academic researchers, and resource managers. Click here to read the article.

CCWG featured in SF Chronicle

Mina Sattari

The Central Coast Wetlands Group recently published an article in the journal PLOS ONE The research team generated new maps of current and historical tidal wetlands for the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Their techniques represent a major step forward in mapping accuracy. They were also able to develop a method to map tidal wetland losses for 55 estuaries on the West Coast. These new maps will help greatly with estuarine restoration efforts! Their research was also highlighted in a front page article of the SF Chronicle on Saturday

 

Our stranding network searches for answers in recent spike of deceased marine mammals

Mina Sattari
Lauren Cooley and Sharon Hsu are both students in the Vertebrate Ecology Lab. They are also volunteers with our Stranding Network, a network of people who collect data on deceased marine mammals. Students who volunteer with the stranding network have been very busy this year with a high rate of strandings in the area. Read more about what life is like as a stranding volunteer in this article by Monterey County Now.
To report a stranding of a deceased cetacean, pinniped, or sea turtle in Monterey County, contact the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories stranding network at 771-4422. For a live or injured animal, contact the Marine Mammal Center at 633-6298.

MLML and SJSU Seeking Biological Oceanographer

Mina Sattari

Join our team!

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) and San José State University (SJSU) are seeking a field- and process-oriented biological oceanographer to complement an interdisciplinary group of marine scientists. The ideal candidate will conduct research at sea, possess expertise in molecular techniques, bioinformatics, or big data, and conduct research in one or more of the following areas: primary and export production, microbial ecology, food web dynamics, ecosystem processes, physiology, climate change, or harmful algal blooms. The successful applicant must have a strong commitment to quality instruction and pursue a vigorous research program involving MS students. A Ph.D. is required and prior post-doctoral experience is encouraged. Applicant materials should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a multicultural population as might have been gained through cross-cultural study, teaching, training, and other comparable experiences.

 

MLML Welcomes Dr. Geoff Wheat

Mina Sattari
MLML welcomes Dr. Geoff Wheat from the University of Alaska!  He brings with him Claudia Paul and Trevor Fournier. Geoff uses tracers to understand processes that influence the cycle of elements in the oceans.  Much of his work focuses on the transport of fluids through the oceanic crust in a range of settings including hydrothermal systems on mid-ocean ridges and flanks and seepage sites along zones of subduction and in coastal environments.  Studies typically include sampling and analyzing fluids and solids, developing transport-reaction models, and relating results to geochemical cycles and crustal evolution. He also runs Seafloor Science ROV Day Camp,  a STEM-based summer camp for students entering 3-5th grades and 6-9th grades.
Geoff and his team will be working out of 502 in the Main Building and operating the ICPMS.  You might also find Geoff in his office over in the faculty wing.  Throughout the process of bringing him onboard, Geoff has expressed his eagerness and enthusiasm to meet and work with our students.  Please join me in welcoming Geoff, Claudia and Trevor to MLML!