In 2006 The Diversity Project headed to Bali, Lombok, and Nusa Lembongan to sample populations in Southern Indonesia. We traded in our liveaboard for some comfortable land-based hotels. Click HERE to see pictures of this trip. Many thanks to Bali Hai diving for coordinating a very productive trip.
Name: Krystle Chavarria
University: U.C. Berkeley (B.S.), Scripps Institute of Oceanography (Ph.D.)
Major: Integrative Biology
Project: Tracking Nemo: Gene flow and genetic structure in the clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris.
Comments on The Diversity Project: ” As a participant in the second year of The Diversity Project, I believed that I knew what to expect based on previous alumni experience. I thought the experience would be a normal field and lab summer internship; however this past summer was more valuable, productive, and fun than I have found a 10 week stretch of time to be ever in my life. Traveling to Indonesia and diving for two weeks was an incredible learning experience. Back at the lab in Woods Hole, I found it easy to imagine myself as a graduate student in the Barber Lab, especially given the close attention that was paid to us. I learned techniques that most undergrads would not have the opportunity to learn, and was able to fine tune these skills through daily practice. The Diversity Project has opened the door to many more opportunities and a lab placement at my home university, and will remain a memorable and valuable experience.”
Where is she now: Krystle graduated from U.C. Berkeley after continuing research in the Museum of Comparative Zoology with Craig Moritz doing comparative phylogeography of the Australian wet tropics. After applying her molecular skills to microbial diversity at the Livermore Labs, in 2011 she began graduate school at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Krylstle is also a recipient of a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Upon completing her degree at SIO, she joined the technical research staff at Illumina, a leader in next-generation DNA sequencing technologies.
Name: Alexis Jackson
University: Yale University (B.S.), U.C. Santa Cruz (Ph.D.)
Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Project: Genetic Connectivity of Pelagic Fishes (Katsuwonus pelamis andScomberomorus commerson) across the Indo-West Pacific.
Comments on The Diversity Project: “Being a participant in the Diversity Project has been one of the best experiences of my life. The program is structured so that you get to both enjoy your summer vacation and acquire valuable laboratory research experience. You get to travel through Indonesia, exploring the beautiful coral reefs and to spend many hours in the lab perfecting your genetics techniques and data analysis skills. And the best part is that you’re given a great deal of independence in the laboratory setting. It gave me a great idea of what it’s going to be like to be a graduate student. Get ready for a very exciting yet challenging summer!
Where is she now? Alexis graduated from Yale, but not before becoming one of the handful of people ever to dive on the WHOI submersible Alvin in October 2006. She received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.In 2014, she finished her Ph.D. at the University of California, Santa Cruz under the supervision of Giacomo Bernardi . After a brief stint at NOAA, she is now the Fisheries Project Director for the Oceans Program of the California Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Learn more about her here.
Name: Matthew Subia
University: California State University, Monterey (B.S. and M.S.)
Major: Earth Systems Science and Policy
Project: Phylogeographic structure ofTridacna crocea across the Indo West Pacific
Comments on The Diversity Project: “The Diversity Project was my second summer internship experience, but was unequivocally the more rewarding of the two because it helped me figure out a specific direction that I want to take my studies… I strongly encourage students to apply because The Diversity Project is arguably the most ideal internship available.
“…the Diversity Project is supported by friendly, intelligent people dedicated to student success. If you are a student searching for an invaluable research experience that will give you a competitive advantage to succeed in graduate school and beyond, then don’t miss your opportunity to participate in this once in a lifetime experience. You will remember and cherish it for the rest of your life!”
Where is he now? Matthew graduated CSU Monterey Bay in 2007. He presented his work from The Diversity Project at the 2007 meetings of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography. He completed his Masters degree at CSUMB using passive acoustic telemetry to explore the site fidelity and movement behavior of blue parrotfish in the Conch Reef no-take marine reserve in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. He then worked as the Program Coordinator for the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Center at Cal State Monterey Bay.