Meghna N. Marjadi

Meghna N. Marjadi is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. As an aquatic ecologist, Meghna works to produce research on how fish respond to climate change to support conservation and food efforts, engage more diverse stakeholders and researchers in climate change research to make sure research goals support those most impacted, and communicate results effectively to a broad audience. Broadly, Meghna is interested in how fish can be eaten safely and sustainably while supporting fishing communities. More specifically, Meghna studies how climate change will influence migration patterns and population dynamics in migratory fishes and how these biological impacts may affect broader ecosystems and related global food systems. Meghna is excited about this work because it is crucial to the well-being of many people and animals and sits at an intersection of social and natural sciences.

At UMass, Meghna is also part of the USGS Wildlife COOP unit, which allows her to interact directly with state and federal scientists to produce relevant research. In addition to her dissertation research, Meghna led an interdisciplinary research team to consider access, safety, and equity of urban fishing in the Gulf Coast as a Co-PI and Graduate Fellow at the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) in Annapolis, MD. Meghna has also played an active role in establishing and sustaining programs to support students in ecology and conservation who may be from traditionally marginalized backgrounds. Specifically, she is passionate about creating accessible mentoring and internship opportunities, fostering safe spaces, and addressing issues of equity in the classroom.