This week marks “Research Week” on our blog and we will be highlighting marine debris research projects throughout the week! Research is an important part of addressing marine debris, as we can only effectively address it by understanding the problem the best we can.
Stay tuned starting later today for a post each day about our research efforts. We’ll wrap up with a Reddit “Ask Us Anything” on microplastics Thursday afternoon! Tune in on Thursday (1/12) at 1pm EDT to check out the conversation with the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s (MDP’s) science team and ask some microplastics questions!
Meet our scientists:
Amy V. Uhrin, Chief Scientist
Amy spent 15 years as a Research Ecologist at NOAA's Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research conducting applied research focusing largely on seagrass restoration and ecology as well as derelict fishing gear issues. As Chief Scientist, Amy is responsible for developing and implementing the MDP’s Strategic Research Plan, overseeing our research portfolio, leading internal research projects, and overseeing external research projects funded by the MDP. Amy holds a B.S. in Biology from St. Bonaventure University and a M.S. in Marine Science – Biological Oceanography from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. She is currently pursuing her PhD (Zoology) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Carlie Herring, Research Analyst
Carlie received her M.S. in Environmental Sciences in the Marine and Estuarine Science Program at Western Washington University with a thesis in ecological risk assessments. She completed a B.S. in Marine Sciences at the University of Maine, Orono. For her B.S., she conducted marine debris research, dealing specifically with plastics in the ocean. She also has experience as a marine science educator. As the Research Analyst, Carlie is responsible for overseeing research projects funded by the MDP, staying up-to-date on new marine debris research and literature, and is involved in the MDP's Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project.
We hope you enjoy learning about some of the great research initiatives that are going on and hope to see you at the Reddit “Ask Us Anything” on Thursday!