RWU Marine Biology major selected as one of eight students in nation for Ocean Global Change Biology Research Experience for Undergraduates program

Dell’Agnese, Courtney

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DOCS@RWU

Roger Williams UniversityDOCS@RWUFeatured News Story The Week at Roger4-10-2018Gabrielle Baillargeon ’20 Awarded Fellowship toStudy Environmental Change in MarineEcosystemsCourtney Dell’AgneseRoger Williams UniversityFollow this and additional works at: https://docs.rwu.edu/weekatroger_featured_newsPart of the Education CommonsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the The Week at Roger at DOCS@RWU. It has been accepted for inclusion in FeaturedNews Story by an authorized administrator of DOCS@RWU. For more information, please contact mwu@rwu.edu.Recommended CitationDell’Agnese, Courtney, "Gabrielle Baillargeon ’20 Awarded Fellowship to Study Environmental Change in Marine Ecosystems"(2018). Featured News Story. 59.https://docs.rwu.edu/weekatroger_featured_news/595/16/2018  Gabrielle Baillargeon ’20 Awarded Fellowship to Study Environmental Change in Marine Ecosystems | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/gabrielle-baillargeon-20-awarded-fellowship-study-environmental-change-marine-ecosystems 1/3 News Archive Gabrielle Baillargeon ’20 Awarded Fellowship toStudy Environmental Change in Marine EcosystemsRWU Marine Biology major selected as one of eight students in nation for Ocean GlobalChange Biology Research Experience for Undergraduates programGabrielle Baillargeon will study the impact ofenvironmental change on marine ecosystems andorganisms at the highly competitive Ocean GlobalChange Biology Research Experience forUndergraduates (REU) program at the University ofCalifornia, Santa Barbara.April 10, 2018 Courtney Dell’Agnese ’19BRISTOL, R.I. – Gabrielle Baillargeon’s passion for marine science courses has brought her wading into knee-deepwaters to collect aquatic specimens, performing hands-on dissections in the biology lab, and working in the WetLabat RWU, where she learned about the positive impact of  sh aquaculture on preserving the ecological balance ofnatural coral reef habitats. This summer it's taking the sophomore marine biology major across the country to theUniversity of California, Santa Barbara to participate in the highly competitive Ocean Global Change BiologyResearch Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.Out of hundreds of applicants from across the country, Baillargeon is one of eight students who landed a spotin UCSB’s program, which is funded by the National Science Foundation to provide undergraduate students researchopportunities to study the impact of environmental change on marine ecosystems and organisms.“I want to go to grad school and I’d like to know what I’d want to research there,” Baillargeon said. “By attending thisREU program, it will give me a larger scope of opportunities to pursue di erent types of research and see which one Ilike best.”At the Ocean Global Change REU program, Baillargeon will conduct her own scienti c work at UCSB’s world-classresearch facility and will receive training in professional development, science communication and leadership skills.5/16/2018  Gabrielle Baillargeon ’20 Awarded Fellowship to Study Environmental Change in Marine Ecosystems | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/gabrielle-baillargeon-20-awarded-fellowship-study-environmental-change-marine-ecosystems 2/3“These REU’s are so prestigious and really help to accelerate your career,” said Associate Professor of Marine BiologyAndrew Rhyne, who is serving as her research adviser. “They are an enhancement of what we do very naturally atRoger Williams University, but at a very highly competitive national level.”An Ethical Guide for Tropical Aquarium FishThis incredible opportunity is thank in part to a unique project she’s undertaken combining her passion for ecologicalsustainability and marine research interests.In writing an article series on marine conservation for an online sustainable coral reef seller, Baillargeon learned thereweren’t many resources available guiding hobbyists on making sustainable purchases in the aquarium trade. With thisin mind, she met with Rhyne – a pioneer in marine ornamental  sh aquaculture who has been raising awareness aboutsustainable and unsustainable methods of supplying the aquarium hobbyist trade – to create an independent projectat RWU.Using Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch as a guide, Baillargeon has been developing a mathematical modelto determine if certain aquarium  sh are sustainable for consumers to purchase, which according to Rhyne doesn’tyet exist. With the knowledge and skills she’s gained as a marine biology major and math minor, Baillargeon isbuilding this model as a tool to help consumers make more ecologically responsible  sh purchases for their hometanks.But the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s guide is only one source informing her work. Baillargeon also collects data frompeer-reviewed scienti c journals and other sources, which she inputs into her model and re nes as necessary.Baillargeon says it’s a slow process and one that will most likely continue well into her senior year.“I stepped into this project not having a big background in marine ornamental  sh species.” Baillargeon said. “So it’sall about pushing yourself to learn and for me it’s been a learning process on how research is done and how youinteract with other people when you need their help.”When she returns from the eight-week summer research program, Baillargeon will have deeper skills and moreresearch experience to bring to her project, combining her love of science and math to investigate the intersectionbetween animal population dynamics and their ecosystems.“My large career goal would be to do  eld studies on population dynamics on sharks and bring that [knowledge] to amanagement policy side of things so they’re managed properly,” she said. “And working with communities tosupport sustainable  shing.”ACADEMICS CIVIC SCHOLARS LIFE @ RWU FEINSTEIN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL AND NATURAL SCIENCESShare This: REQUEST INFO VISIT CAMPUS APPLY MAKE A GIFT5/16/2018  Gabrielle Baillargeon ’20 Awarded Fellowship to Study Environmental Change in Marine Ecosystems | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/gabrielle-baillargeon-20-awarded-fellowship-study-environmental-change-marine-ecosystems 3/3Map & DirectionsContact UsDirectoryNewsEventsAthleticsrwu.eduUndergraduate SiteGraduate SiteSchool of LawSchool of Continuing Studies    © 2018 Roger Williams University. All rights reserved.GMAIL AT RWU BRIDGES MY RWU IT HELP SITE POLICIES WORK AT RWUOne Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 028091-800-458-7144

Gabrielle Baillargeon ’20 Awarded Fellowship to Study Environmental Change in Marine Ecosystems

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Gabrielle Baillargeon ’20 Awarded Fellowship to Study Environmental Change in Marine Ecosystems

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