Meet the Team:

The ocean has always been something I’ve been drawn to, as a kid it was my favorite place, and still is of course. Something about it made me feel adventurous, like being around it was where I was always meant to be. My parents said I was hardwired to be a marine biologist, it's all I talked about, thought about, wanted to learn, and wanted to be a part of. I grew up in North Carolina as a baby, and even then I wasn’t shy about wanting to go in the water. My mom would carry me or walk me to the shore and she said I always had a smile. As I got older, I only began to love, respect, and appreciate the ocean and its animals more and more, specifically I was fascinated by sharks. I couldn’t exactly tell you why, was it the grace in which they swim and the power you can feel that they hold? Was it the sympathy I felt when looking into their eyes and not seeing a monster, but seeing God's beautiful creation. A strong, powerful, misunderstood, creature that held so much knowledge to unfold. 

In some ways I related to them regarding them being misunderstood and mistreated. Life is never easy, and you will always encounter people that will tear you down, but there are those who love and want to protect you. In this way, sharks and I were connected. I could look into their eyes and feel their gaze, it's one of my favorite things to be able to do. Making a connection and in some ways, a bond, with an animal is like no other. I was 5 years old when my mom put on shark week for the first time. I never sat on the couch, I sat on the floor, as close as I could to the TV and just watched in awe. A particular episode came on that week about shark finning, and I remember watching something that I thought was so cool and something I loved being hurt in front of me. I felt so saddened at that moment, but then it panned to a marine biologist who was fighting to stop the fin trade. My mom looked at me and I looked at her and said “That's what I'm going to be when I grow up.”  That statement continues to be true today and is something I am continually working towards. 

Instagram & Twitter: @newtideshannah

  My interest in my Marine Biology and Marine Fisheries double degree dates to when I was a child. Throughout my life, I have spent a tremendous time on the Texas coast. Seeing mounds of trash on our beaches, I was always aware of the human effects on the oceans, and it astounded me how ignorant people could be to the world around them. This interest in learning about environmental conservancy for not only the planet, but the oceans, have led me to the position I am in today. As of recent, I have become fascinated with marine invertebrates and botany. Biology and chemistry have always been my passion, so knowing what makes up ecosystems to the molecular level captivates me.  

In high school, I always felt discouraged to pursue Marine Biology. Whether it be discouragement from peers or online, it did not seem like a plausible future. However, everyday I am thankful that I decided to go to university for it and follow my aspirations. I pursued and have been greeted with many amazing opportunities that I will always be appreciative of.

Currently I volunteer in a Phytoplankton Dynamics lab on the Texas A&M Galveston campus. I monitor harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Galveston Bay through our Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB). The IFCB uses a combination of flow cytometric and video technology to capture high resolution images of suspended particles. The process involves collecting specimen samples, filtering for Chlorophyll-a, focusing images captured on​ the​ IFCB, and evaluating these images of phytoplankton cells to determine the presence of HABs. I also have experience on campus with marine animal husbandry, life support systems, and water quality through the on campus Sea Life facility. 

In my future career, I would love to be involved in ecological research, invertebrate zoology, or fisheries management.