Many Faces of Science: Communications
Marine reserves science crosscuts a variety of backgrounds - and this series explores the personal and professional journeys of people involved in science. Today, we're diving into science communications - meet Kelsey Adkisson, the ODFW Marine Reserves Communications Project Leader.
So, what's your background?
I come a long line of wheat farmers in eastern Oregon – I would be the 5th generation! I’m incredibly proud of my family’s farming history, but my passion was always centered on biology and the ocean – a far cry from the arid east side.
I earned a BS in Environmental Science, followed by a MS in Biology. Both of which added to diverse family dinner conversations about climate change, or republicans vs democrats, or even the pros and cons of government regulations and resource management.
What do you do?
I do science communciations. My goal is to to bring people along the scientific journey so they can experience things like sea star surveys, fish research, or get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of science.
Social media allows me to take people along on survey research, or bring people below the surface. I also enjoy sharing our collaborative efforts, like this blog on fisherman Jeff Miles. And, things like infographics, videos and photos help bring nebulous science topics to life.
 Ever seen a research assembly line? Welp, now you have. ODFW's Marine Reserves Program got a helping hand from Oregon State University, Sea Grant Summer Scholars, other ODFW staff, and Surfrider during mussel bed surveys at Cascade Head Marine Reserve late last month. This effort looks at ecological community responses to sea star wasting disease. In other words, with sea star die-offs that happened in 2014, how does that impacting the food that they eat (i.e. mussels)?
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Sea star wasting surveys continued this month at Otter Rock Marine Reserve. In addition, we conducted mussel bed surveys at Cascade Head Marine Reserve to track how the community is responding to sea star wasting disease. |
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Human Dimensions: Data collection has been completed for a study examining fishing effort shift in response to the marine reserves. This study is being done by Portland State and the draft report will be completed by the end of the summer.
Data collection is completed for a well-being survey among Oregon coastal residents. A report is expected by the end of the year. This effort is being done by Oregon State University-Cascades.
Finally, qualitative interviews are currently being conducted on effort shift, led by Oregon State University - Cascades's Dr. Beth Marino.
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Updates From Collaborators
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Juvenile fish recruitment surveys (SMURFs) were conducted at Otter Rock and Redfish Rocks (by OSU, ODFW Marine Reserves Program, Oregon Coast Aquarium). These surveys will continue through the summer. |
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