Melissa Garren (2010)
Fellowship Year: 2010
Academic Background: University of California - San Diego - PhD 2011- (Marine Biology)
Melissa is an interdisciplinary doctoral candidate in marine biology at the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, studying under Professor Farooq Azam. The focus of her research is the effects of coastal pollution on the microbial processes that support large-scale ecosystem health. She specifically studies these interactions on coral reefs exposed to two major sources of coastal pollution – aquaculture and sewage disposal – that are emergent problems as over-fishing and global population growth continue to accelerate. Her work aims to find more sustainable solutions for aquaculture and sewage disposal practices that benefit the health of both people and coral reefs. She ultimately hopes to work at the interface of research and policy by facilitating the integration of microbial processes into conservation planning. Melissa holds a B.S. in molecular biology from Yale University and an M.S. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego.
Expertise: Coastal & Marine Issues