Highlighting of Scripps College: Malia Moore, Student in Focus
Malia Moore, a sixth-year PhD candidate at Scripps Oceanography, UC San Diego, is making waves in the field of marine science and conservation. Her research focuses on marine conservation genomics, particularly studying local seagrasses through genome sequencing and comparative genomics.
Malia's work has been accepted for publication in the prestigious scientific journal, Nature Plants. Her paper, "Hybridization and low light adaptability in California eelgrass (Zostera spp.)", sheds light on the resilience of hybrid eelgrass to low light, making it a promising candidate for use in restoration projects.
Malia's research centres around the local eelgrass species Zostera marina and Zostera pacifica, and a hybrid of the two species (Z. marina x Z. pacifica) that formed as the result of a restoration project in Mission Bay.
Malia is co-advised by Scripps Professor Eric Allen and Scripps Adjunct Professor Todd Michael. Todd Michael, a research professor at the Salk Institute, also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and advises Malia in her marine biology research.
UC San Diego, where Scripps Oceanography is located, embraces a culture of exploration and experimentation, being one of the top 15 research universities in the world. This environment has provided Malia with the perfect setting to delve deep into her research.
However, Malia's journey has not been without challenges. She has been experiencing chronic migraines since early 2020, believed to be a result of COVID-19. This has forced her to slow down, leading to a focus on important project objectives and tasks. Despite this, she remains determined and optimistic about her work.
Scripps Oceanography offers unparalleled education and training for the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders. Its facilities include a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels and the public exploration centre, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which welcomes 500,000 visitors each year.
In the short term, Malia aims to broaden her perspective by working outside academia and traveling for a writing project. In the long run, she plans to continue working at the intersection of marine science and conservation.
Malia grew up in Tucson, Ariz. and San Diego, and received her undergraduate degree in chemical biology at UC Berkeley before joining Scripps Oceanography. She has had numerous mentors and role models, including members of the Michael Lab, Todd and Eric, Professor Steve Briggs, Professor Brad Moore, Katheryn Beheshti, Dana Foss, and others.
Malia finds the most excitement in being in the field, revisiting the same study site over multiple seasons and observing changes and growth. Her work involves fieldwork days, lab days, and writing or analyzing data. Despite the challenges, Malia's passion for marine science and conservation shines through in her work.
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