Dr. Nathan Spindel publication in Ecological Applications

A new study led by MLML Postdoctoral Researcher Nathan Spindel was recently published in Ecological Applications. His research focuses on red sea urchins, and many MLML graduate students are currently working with him on related projects!

Nate is especially grateful to Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and San José State University for covering the open-access publication charges, which allowed the article to be made freely available.

The paper, titled “Consumer resilience suppresses the recovery of overgrazed ecosystems,” can be read here: https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.70196.

A brief overview of the paper:

A new study led by Nathan (Nate) Spindel, published in Ecological Applications, shows that red sea urchins can endure prolonged food scarcity by lowering their metabolic demands and then rapidly resume grazing and reproduction when food becomes available. Using field observations and controlled experiments, the study found that both food quantity and quality strongly influence urchin performance. Urchins collected from adjacent kelp forests and food poor urchin barrens exhibited reciprocal physiological and dietary shifts when subjected to kelp, mixed algae, or starvation treatments. Metabolically depressed barren urchins recovered when re-fed, while kelp forest urchins depressed their metabolism under starvation. Feeding trials also validated the use of fatty acid biomarkers to reconstruct diet composition, revealing parallel reciprocal changes in assimilated nutrients. Barren urchins incorporated kelp derived fatty acids when fed algal diets, while starved kelp forest urchins increasingly assimilated biofilm biomarkers associated with bacteria and diatoms. By calibrating fatty acid biomarkers against known diets, the study provides a stronger framework for estimating wild diet composition and tracing how shifts in primary production reshape the nutritional seascape, offering a practical tool for evaluating habitat quality and guiding kelp forest restoration and management decisions."

Application Assistance

Applications are open for the 2026 MLML Master’s Program in Marine Science!

Visit our How to Apply page to learn how to apply.

Also see our Application Timeline for a step by step visual!

To provide assistance with the application process, MLML hosts two events:

Zoom Drop-in with the Grad Coordinator - 11:00 am PST on November 14th

Register and join the zoom here: https://sjsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/lvjwIW3nQIWGinhUw486pw

 

Zoom Drop-in Office Hours with Faculty - 1:00 pm PST on December 1st 

Register and join the zoom here: https://sjsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/VOXNZx1VRiGa0Qbo20biNg

MLML Open House Auction Page is now LIVE!

Last weekend, Moss Landing had our first in-person open house in 4 years! The event was a huge success, including the kickoff for our online silent auction! The auction will run until April 29th, 9:00pm, where you can bid on a variety of item that local artists, business-owners, and organizations have donated to sold to the highest bidder! All money raised will go towards providing next year's financial aid and scholarships for our students. This will directly benefit the members of the MLML community by raising awareness of marine science while providing funding to graduate students. Items include golf and lunch for 2 at Carmel Ranch, a print by local biological illustrator Amadeo Bachar, a Folktale Winery Tasting and bottle of wine, and much more! If you're interested in any of these items and the current bids, you can check out the ongoing auction here!

 

 

 

Open House – April 22nd Schedule

Open House Schedule

As Open House approaches, we at MLML have finished scheduling our activities and events for the day. Lab-run events such as our touch tank, microscopy room, and miniature ROV tank will be available all day from 9am to 5pm. Merchandise will also be available all day, although we may run out of some items earlier in the day. Our speed talks and trivia sessions given by faculty and students will be on a scheduled basis that you can attend at your convenience. To see where our activities are located, please see the map below.

MLML’s 2023 Open House Crowdfunding Page is now LIVE!

In conjunction with our in-person open house event this year, Moss Landing is opening our crowdfunding page! Our goal is to raise $20,000 to support student scholarships, marine research equipment, and funding to cover student research expenses. If you cannot make it to our open house event this year, donating is an excellent way to help support MLML students. We will be sending a special thank you to everyone who donates on our social media platforms at the end of the crowdfunding event. If you're interested in donating, you can find the crowdfunding page here. If you'd like to attend our in-person open house from 9:00am - 5:00pm on April 22nd, you can RSVP through the following form.

MLML Executive Director

Employment Opportunity: MLML Executive Director

San Jose State University’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories has an outstanding leadership opportunity for an Executive Director. Moss Landing Marine Labs (MLML) is a unique marine research and education program within the College of Science at San Jose State University (SJSU). Faculty and researchers have expertise in a range of marine science disciplines, including marine geology, biology and chemistry. The laboratory is located between Santa Cruz and Monterey, and borders the Monterey Bay Marine Canyon,
the Salinas River, and the Elkhorn Slough, making it an ideal location for modern marine science.
This leadership role is responsible for administrative oversight of operations, budgets, fiscal management, leadership of staff, philanthropic activities and collaboration with the College of Science on strategic planning. The role reports to the Dean of the College of Science at SJSU, and collaborates with the Chair of the MLML academic department.

Key Responsibilities

  • Management oversight for MLML staff.
  • Recommends initiatives and changes to maintain quality and fiscal responsibility of services at MLML. Develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices to the college Dean; initiates and implements plans to solve problems with the college Dean’s approval.
  • Manages the physical facilities (properties, buildings, piers and
    ships) and oversees maintenance and development of facilities in a manner consistent with fiscal resources and SJSU strategic
    objectives.
  • Ensures contractual, fiscal, and accounting practices are followed in accordance with applicable federal, state, SJSU and California State University rules and regulations.
  • Oversees faculty affiliates and researchers, and fosters
    partnerships, while ensuring fiscal responsibility with respect to MLML SJSU state and Research Foundation properties and facilities.
  • Obtains outside funding in support of MLML in collaboration with the College of Science.

Key Competencies

Expert in Marine Sciences. Excellent communicator and strong leader to build and manage a diverse team. Experience managing complex budgets, strategic goals and balancing day to day operations. Ability to operate in a unionized environment. Excellent collaborator, innovator. Ability to influence and lead the organization into the future.

Requirements Include

  • Doctorate in one of the disciplines in the field of marine science.
  • A strong record of scholarly work or professional achievement rooted in conducting field-oriented marine studies balanced with laboratory work and quality teaching sufficient to qualify for tenure and appointment at the rank of professor in the college.
  • Three years of administrative experience as department chair, program coordinator, or other relevant leadership and supervisory experience.
  • Extensive experience managing complex
    budgets.
  • Proven track record in securing external
    funding.
  • Direct experience managing a team.

For Consideration, please email your CV/resume to Elaine Peters at elaine@nextsearch.com 949-400-1132