BRISTOL – Roger Williams University sophomore Gabrielle Baillargeon is one of eight students chosen from across the nation for a research fellowship, the Ocean Global Change Biology Research Experience for Undergraduates, at the University of California Santa Barbara.
“I want to go to grad school and I’d like to know what I’d want to research there,” said Baillargeon, a marine biology major, in a statement. “By attending this REU program, it will give me a larger scope of opportunities to pursue different types of research and see which one I like best.”
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Baillargeon’s research adviser, Andrew Rhyne, an RWU associate professor of marine biology, said the opportunity is “prestigious” and will “help to accelerate your career.”
Working with Rhyne, Baillargeon wrote a series of marine conservation articles for a sustainable coral reef seller, which led her to identify a lack of resources guiding hobbyists on making sustainable aquarium purchases. From there, she crafted an independent project at RWU, which, using Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch as a guide, developed a mathematical algorithm to determine if certain aquarium fish are sustainable species for consumers to purchase for their home tanks.
“I stepped into this project not having a big background in marine ornamental fish species,” she said in a statement. “It’s all about pushing yourself to learn, and for me it’s been a learning process on how research is done and how you interact with other people when you need their help.”
The eight-week UCSB program is funded by National Science Foundation monies, allows students to conduct research independently as well as receive professional development, science communication and leadership training.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
