Preston Malm

Sonoma State University
Graduate Researcher

Before coming to Sonoma State University, Preston received his Bachelor's degree from UC Davis in 2008. His marine ecology experience spans a wide spectrum of organisms. Preston has worked with the Nature Conservancy on the restoration of endangered salmon habitats, as well as Bodega Marine Laboratory where he examined the population connectivity of bivalves in San Francisco Bay. Preston decided to continue his education at Sonoma State University, in the Nielsen Lab, where he focused his Master's thesis on the role of sand grain size in the structure of talitrid amphipod populations on sandy beaches of northern California. In his free time, Preston is an avid maritime enthusiast, and plays the mandolin. 

Suzanne Garcia

Sonoma State University
Graduate Researcher

Suzanne Garcia joined the Nielsen Lab as a MS student in the spring of 2012. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She did her undergraduate work examining food web dynamics and harmful algal blooms. For her Master's thesis, she plans continue working with phytoplankton by examining the influence of ocean acidification on coastal phytoplankton communities. As part of her degree work, she is a TA for Sustainability in Our World, a freshmen-level course for students interested in pursuing STEM majors.

Ahoy There!

The Nielsen Lab set sail aboard Integrity on March 9, in Bodega Bay. They collected phytoplankton and zooplankton samples from various parts, kept insulated for later research. More pictures here.