ADVANCE Fellows Award: Environmental Effects on Variations in Jellyfish Population Size

该奖项为PI提供资金，以建立一个长期的研究计划，研究环境对普吉湾盆地沃茨水母（包括钵水母、水螅水母和栉水母）种群动态的影响（温度、盐度、猎物密度）。水母种群呈现出剧烈的年际波动，其原因在很大程度上是未知的。PI将进行实验室实验，以测试温度、盐度和猎物密度的综合影响，并结合使用视频系统进行现场采样。最初的目标物种是奥雷利亚唇水母，其同源物是世界上最丰富的大型水母之一。这项研究意义重大，因为由于人类活动的综合影响，世界各地的水母数量可能正在增加。水母是浮游动物的重要消费者，并且通常通过直接捕食鱼卵和仔鱼、捕食者竞争和干扰鱼类收获而对鱼类种群和商业渔业有害。了解影响其种群波动的因素对了解不断变化的海洋条件可能产生的影响至关重要，本次ADVANCE奖将在关键时刻推动一位女性科学家的职业生涯。这项投资可能会让她在一所新的大学重新建立自己的职业生涯，在那里她将成为学生的优秀榜样。此外，SPML有两个专注于本科研究的强大计划，PI将作为导师和讲师参与其中。该计划，少数民族在海洋科学本科生计划（MIMONUS）和研究经验的本科生（REU）网站程序将允许PI指导众多的本科生。

This award provides funding for the PI to establish a long term research program on the environmental effects (temperature, salinity, prey density) on the population dynamics of jellyfish (including scyphomedusae, hydromedusae, and ctenophores) in the waters of the Puget Sound basin. Jellyfish populations exhibit dramatic interannual fluctuations, and the reasons for this are largely unknown. The PI will conduct laboratory experiments to test the combined effects of temperature, salinity and prey density in combination with in situ sampling with a video system. The initial target species is Aurelia labiata, whose congeners are among the most abundant large jelly fish worldwide. This research is significant because jellyfish populations may be increasing around the world due to the combined effects of human activities. Jellyfish are important consumers of zooplankton, and are generally deleterious to fish populations and commercial fisheries through direct predation on fish eggs and larvae, predator competition, and interference with fish harvesting. It is important to understand the factors that affect their population fluctuations in order to understand the possible effects of changing ocean conditions.This ADVANCE award will promote the career of a female scientist at a critical point. This investment is likely to allow her to re-establish her career a new university, where she will be an excellent role model for students. In addition, the SPML has two strong programs focused on undergraduate research in which the PI will participate as a mentor and instructor. The programs, Minorities in Marine Science Undergraduate Program (MIMSUP) and an Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site program will allow the PI to mentor numerous undergraduate students.