Advertise on podcast: So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist

Isobel Yeo is a marine volcanologist, which means she studies volcanoes underwater. Volcanoes are found everywhere, and we really don’t know that much about them. Today, Izzy and I chat about why it can actually be easier to study space than the ocean, and what field work really looks like including playing with ROVs and seeing fish with feet in thousands of feet of water. We chat about blue mining and what that means and how we, in our everyday lives, impact it. Izzy also explains the complexity of naming underwater seamounts, and I have a request for any listeners that like maps about halfway through, so stay tuned for that.  Show Notes: marinebio.life/82 Support the show

If you’ve listened to episode 2 of the podcast, you’ve already heard Jessica’s story and the genesis of her research. Today, we start right where we left off in that episode. Jessica shares a few of her many exciting projects including identifying and describing a third species of manta, tagging the mantas, and future projects with guitarfish. We chat about how the manta project has evolved from bowriding to droning, how it's grown from a side project to full time endeavor, and how Jessica’s work was featured in Nat Geo. Show Notes: marinebio.life/81 Support the show

IT guru at PEW Charitable Trusts, Dawn Borg Costanzi joins us on the SYWTBAMB podcast. Her job? To help track international fisheries. Which wasn't what she thought she would do initially. Originally, Dawn was going to go into software design. In this episode, we chat about how the fishing world captivated Dawn’s interest and how she’s navigated working for private entities and a large NGO. We chat about how vessels are tracked, both on the water and in port, IUU fishing, and why her work is so impactful. show notes: marinebio.life/80 Support the show

Brandon Doheny is a marine scientist, diver, and sailor. Our conversation today ranges from crazy two hundred plus foot dives to eDNA sampling to teaching technology to identify sea creatures. Currently Brandon is on an extended sailing trip with his family, sailing from California to New Zealand, so of course we chat a bit about this adventure. Show Notes: marinebio.life/79 Support the show

We’re diving into the wonderful world of seaweeds! My guest today is Allison Poklemba, environmental educator, botanist, and herbalist. Allison shares how plants have fascinated her from a young age, why her move across the country for university was the financially responsible choice, and how she incorporated both botany and herbalism into her career. Allison puts a few different species of kelp on highlight today including bullwhip kelp and wakame. She shares how kelp will actually devour cancer tumors, how a walk on the beach can also be a walk in a medicine cabinet, and some fun ways to cook with sea vegetables. We have a two part, fun ask for you at the end of today’s episode, so stay tuned for that. Show Notes: Marinebio.life/78 Support the show (http://patreon.com/marinebiolife)

Dr. Andia Fonnegra Chavez studies sponges and their interactions on reefs at Florida Atlantic University.. In today’s fascinating conversation, Andia shares her story falling in love with the ocean growing up in Colombia, and how she ultimately ended up in the States. We chat about how sponges are important members of the reef building and maintenance crew, how most of the color you see on reefs are in fact sponges, the importance of following your own path, and so much more. Andia’s enthusiasm and passion for her work is absolutely contagious; you’re in for a treat. This episode is brought to you by Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. 2021 marks the 50th Anniversary of FAU Harbor Branch’s relentless pursuit of Ocean Science for a Better World®. Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, FAU Harbor Branch’s cutting-edge research focuses on five major areas: marine ecosystem conservation, aquaculture, the connection between ocean and human health, technological innovation and national defense. During my time at HB as part of the undergraduate Semester By the Sea program, I learned so much about the ocean and what it takes to become a good scientist. The programs and opportunities offered at FAU Harbor Branch have continued to swell since! To learn more, and how you can get involved, please visit www.fau.edu/hboi. Show Notes: marinebio.life/77 Support the show (http://patreon.com/marinebiolife)

Valeria Vergara is a senior research scientist at Raincoast Conservation Foundation where she co-directs the Cetacean Conservation Research Program. Her main focus? Beluga Whales. Originally hailing from Argentia, Valeria studied canids- specifically coyotes and foxes- during her undergrad and masters degree. It wasn’t until her PhD that she switched to the marine world.  Valeria is so passionate about her work, and shares insight into what beluga whale research looks like, including spending weeks at camp with these creatures. She also shares why belugas are considered the canaries of the sea, why it’s important for us humans to be adaptable, and she shares some amazing stories from the field. Support the show (http://patreon.com/marinebiolife)

Kristy Bredin is an herbalist, educator and owner of Mermaid botanicals. She lives in the San Juan Island in Washington State. In this episode, you’ll learn what herbalism is, how seaweed is the ancestor to all land plants, some of the magical powers of marine algae, and what a day in the life of an ocean herbalist looks like- tide pools are involved. Show notes: marinebio.life/75 Support the show (http://patreon.com/marinebiolife)

Winnie Courtene-Jones is a researcher at the University of Plymouth in their International Marine Litter Research Unit. We had such a fun conversation today starting with Winnie’s volunteer position studying dolphins off the coast of Wales. Winnie shares her graduate research of, essentially, watching hermit crabs duke it out, and how she definitely wasn’t going to get PhD. Until she did. She also explains what being self employed in the marine science means. Winnie’s research has taken her all over the world, and has found plastic in some surprising places- including over a mile beneath the ocean’s surface. Winnie is a font of knowledge when it comes to plastic and plastic pollution, and she breaks down where it's found, what the ‘great garbage patches' really look like, and if biodegradable plastics are actually a thing. Her conservation ask is a great one, so be sure to stay tuned for that. Show notes: marinebio.life/74 Support the show (http://patreon.com/marinebiolife)

Steve Burton has what most people would consider to be the dream job. As the Director of the Marine Mammal and Stranding Assessment program at Harbor Branch, Steve’s job is to work with dolphins and whales. In addition to responding to animals in distress, he also gets to conduct population assessments, the scientific way of describing going out on the boat to look for dolphins and whales. He’s also lived in, arguably, the three best beach states in the US- California, Hawaii, and now Florida- and it all started by saying “yes” to a flyer posted on a billboard. In this episode, we chat about the hilarious difference between training dolphins and seals, how to identify individual dolphins, and what his field work really looks like. There’s a couple of spots where he mentions great ways for you to get involved, so be sure to keep an ear out for those. This episode is brought to you by Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. 2021 marks the 50th Anniversary of FAU Harbor Branch’s relentless pursuit of Ocean Science for a Better World®. Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, FAU Harbor Branch’s cutting-edge research focuses on five major areas: marine ecosystem conservation, aquaculture, the connection between ocean and human health, technological innovation and national defense. During my time at HB as part of the undergraduate Semester By the Sea program, I learned so much about the ocean and what it takes to become a good scientist. The programs and opportunities offered at FAU Harbor Branch have continued to swell since! To learn more, and how you can get involved, please visit www.fau.edu/hboi. Show notes: marinebio.life/73 Support the show (http://patreon.com/marinebiolife)

Harri is an aquatic animal biologist and ecologist which is a broad way to describe his work monitoring fish patterns and their implications with our changing climate, and spending time at camp tagging whales. We have a fun conversation today covering topics ranging from tropical sharks to arctic fish and even narwhals. Harri has some great insights into what sustainable fishing really looks like and has an incredible field story and answer to the blank check question, so be sure to stay tuned for those. Please enjoy! Support the show (http://patreon.com/marinebiolife)

Jim Sullivan has had a fascinating career starting with the smallest, and quite possibly the mightiest, organism in the sea, phytoplankton. From doing ground-breaking scientific research, including anti-submarine warfare research, to inventing new oceanographic equipment to leading an oceanographic institute, Jim has had quite the diverse career. In this episode, Jim shares some amazing insights into marine science and the world in general, and he shares how he affected legislative changes that had some pretty big trickle down effects. We also chat about what true science really means, and why sometimes it can be really challenging to do. Jim also has one of the craziest sea stories I’ve ever heard, so stay tuned for that. This episode is brought to you by Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. 2021 marks the 50th Anniversary of FAU Harbor Branch’s relentless pursuit of Ocean Science for a Better World®. Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, FAU Harbor Branch’s cutting-edge research focuses on five major areas: marine ecosystem conservation, aquaculture, the connection between ocean and human health, technological innovation and national defense. During my time at HB as part of the undergraduate Semester By the Sea program, I learned so much about the ocean and what it takes to become a good scientist. The programs and opportunities offered at FAU Harbor Branch have continued to swell since! To learn more, and how you can get involved, please visit www.fau.edu/hboi. Show Notes: marinebio.life/71 Support the show (http://patreon.com/marinebiolife)