Research Associates
Ahna Van Gaest
Education:
M.S. University of Oregon, Biology
B.S. University of Oregon, Biology
Dispersal depth and the transport of deep-sea methane-seep larvae around a biogeographic barrier
Email: vangaea@wwu.edu
Tessa Beaver
Education: Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, B.S. in Biology 2019
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, Marine and Estuarine Science Program, M.S. in Biology 2022
Thesis Title: Investigating microbial community dynamics during early life-history changes in the cold-seep mussel Gigantidas childressi
Project: Dispersal depth and the transport of deep-sea methane-seep larvae around a biogeographic barrier.
Email: beavert2@wwu.edu
Post-doctoral Scientists
Dr. Tanika Ladd
Education:
Western Washington University, Bellingham, 2014, B.S. in Mathematics, Minors in Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science.
University of California Santa Barbara, PhD in Marine Science 2021
Using metabarcoding to elucidate trophic interactions in planktonic communities at hydrothermal vents
Email: laddt@wwu.edu
Research Technicians
Dexter Davis
Education:
Western Washington University, Bellingham, 2019, B.S. in Environmental Science with Marine Emphases, Minor in Mathematics
Dispersal depth and the transport of deep-sea methane-seep larvae around a biogeographic barrier
Email: davisd35@wwu.edu
Current Graduate Students
Vanessa Jimenez
Education: University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, 2018, B.S. in Biology, Minor in Environmental Policy
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, Marine and Estuarine Science Program, M.S. in Biology, expected 2023
Thesis Title: Identifying pre- and post-settlement processes influencing the distribution of three Alviniconcha species in the Lau Basin
Email: jimenev2@wwu.edu
Wyatt Heimbichner Goebel
Education:
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, B.S. in Biology 2019
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, Marine and Estuarine Science Program, M.S. in Biology, expected 2023
Thesis Title: Larval settlement as a function of physical characteristics of microbial biofilms in intertidal and hydrothermal vent systems
Email: heimbiw@wwu.edu
Mitchell Hebner
Education:
University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, B.S. in Biology 2019
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, Marine and Estuarine Science Program, M.S. in Biology, expected 2022
Thesis Title: Solving the mystery of migration for a deep-sea gastropod Thalassonerita naticoidea
Project: Dispersal depth and the transport of deep-sea methane-seep larvae around a biogeographic barrier
Email: hebnerm@wwu.edu
Michelle McCartha
Education: University of Washington-Tacoma, Tacoma, WA, B.S. in Environmental Science 2014
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, Marine and Estuarine Science Program, M.S. in Biology, expected 2021
Thesis Title: “Investigating symbiont acquisition in deep-sea snails using fluorescence in situ hybridization”
Email: Michelle.mccartha@gmail.com
Interested in joining the larval lab?
Keep an eye on our Lab News for current positions or email Shawn.Arellano@wwu.edu