Dance Your PhD by Clarissa Anderson

Clarissa Anderson Post-doctoral Researcher Ocean Sciences Department University of California, Santa Cruz PhD Title: Environmental Controls of Phytoplankton Community Structure in the Santa Barbara Channel, CA: Application to the Dynamics and Detection of Harmful Diatom Blooms PhD Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara Date: June 2007 Many biological oceanographers struggle to understand why, when, and how toxic algae will bloom in the ocean. My dissertation catalogues the bio-physical coupling associated with these blooms in the Santa Barbara Channel whereby I linked the distribution of toxic phytoplankton with local eddy circulation. I also developed methods for combining satellite and shipbased observations for real-time assessment of the likelihood of bloom formation. Gusty winds and freshwater run-off are a hallmark of spring in coastal California, and with them come an abundance of nutrients brought to the waters surface where they spawn huge phytoplankton blooms and in turn nourish the fish, sea lions, birds, whales On the one hand, we welcome these productive events that make our coasts so vibrant. On the other hand, they can sometimes turn deadly when certain phytoplankton species take over, producing compounds that for the algae themselves may encourage more growth, but for marine life and even humans, are potent neurotoxins that can lead to massive seizures and fatal illness. Here I attempt to capture that duality -- the life-affirming and sometimes threatening force of the ocean -- as well as celebrate all those persevering scientists who each day go out to sea, strap a Glock to their thigh, and forge ahead into the unknown. And dont forget the Brazilian soundtrack. THIS DANCE IS FOR YOU! Music: Waters of March (Tom Jobim) Mixed by Randy Tico Director of Photography: Rolf Kestermann Very special thanks to Vanessa Isaac of HipBrazil, Paula Walker of Strato Films, and Yoga Soup for use of their studio space.