Pictures from upper left to bottom right:
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Upper Right: Backpacking in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. I spent two seasons working as a Naturalist in the backcountry of Denali, the preservation of the tundra and taiga ecosystem inspired me to return to the field of environmental scientific research.
Upper Left: Conducting field research at Pigeon Point California in July 202
Lower Left: My partner in crime - Bodega the shepherd/border collie mix..
Lower Right: :My species of study, a Leptasterias spp. sample
Michelle Kelley
My objective is to use my background in land use planning, conservation, environmental education and geospatial analysis to help make impactful contributions to restoration and preservation projects related to the marine and estuarine coastal ecosystems in the San Francisco Bay Area. I decided to pursue the Masters of Science program at San Francisco State University to gain further knowledge and hone specific laboratory and field skills to help me achieve this goal. My research project is focused on assessing the speciation of the six armed sea stars, Leptasterias spp. among different microhabitats at Pigeon Point, California. I am currently finishing my research project and am working on determining the phylogeny of sea star clades to quantify boundaries of the intermediate tidal zone. This knowledge is a critically important foundational step when analyzing the complex suite of pathogenic and abiotic factors which have led to the massive die-off of seas stars along the Pacific coastline due to Sea Star Wasting Disease.
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For an updated view of my Curriculum Vitae, please view the "About Me" webpage.
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For fun videos and informal anecdotes related to recent research endeavors during these "unprecedented times", please view "My blog" webpage.
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If interested in ongoing research or for whatever reason - please view "Contact Me" webpage.
