Science in the Bay
Scientists, researchers, and students from various universities, institutions, and consulting agencies come together at Upper Newport Bay to study and enhance the understanding of estuarine systems. Featured below are some of the scientists currently conducting research in the bay.
Estuary Monitoring
Jan Walker, Ph.D.
I build monitoring programs for the state of California, so we can better understand the health of our bays and estuaries. Specifically, I study how estuaries, like Newport Bay, may change through time due to changes in the environment from increased water temperatures, pollution, and urbanization. In Newport Bay, we monitor the fish and plant community to detect changes in the community. (Dr. Walker is in red beanie.)
Plastic Pollution
Clare Murphy-Hagan, Graduate Student
I study how much and at what rates plastic pollution is entering the environment. I focus on microplastics which are very small pieces of plastic that are hard to capture. In Newport Bay, I am investigating how much of these small plastics are flowing into the Back Bay, how much is getting buried in the wetland sediment, and how much is making it to the ocean. To do this, I collect samples of water and sediment as well as develop models that help us understand the bigger picture.
Human Activity Influencing Coastal Wetlands
Christine Whitcraft, Ph.D.
I am a coastal wetland ecologist and biological oceanographer. I study how human activities (such as development or climate change) affects what animals and plants live in coastal wetlands. I am also interested in how changes to the plants and animals affect how the wetland itself works (specifically in terms of food webs).
Coastal Endangered Species
Richard Zembal, M.S.
When I was in high school, I stole my big sister's boyfriend, and for 36 weekends in a row we went on adventures in the outdoors: fishing, hiking, gold panning, hunting, backpacking, diving, exploring, etc. I wanted to someday know the name of every plant and animal we encountered and to understand why some of them were always together and what they do for a living. I took every field class available at Cal State Long Beach, working under some of the most accomplished naturalists in their fields at that time; learning about plants, bugs, snakes, birds, mammals, the natural world. I’m still trying to learn things about our coastal wetlands and endangered species to help California Department of Fish and Wildlife save them. I have spent decades in coastal wetlands and help by sharing my experience and what I have learned in the field with them and others.
