Episode 4: Ecotoxicity & Oysters with Intern Kathryn Lanyon

10/01/19 • 11 min

In the way oysters are keystone species in aquatic ecosystems, such are interns at the Ocean Research and Conservation Association. Over the summer, our bustling lab hosted a total of 10 interns, ranging from high school to grad school. This week we talk to a senior at Berry College, Kathryn Lanyon, who spent her internship catching and tending to buckets of oysters-- literally.
Lanyon's expertise lies in environmental science with roots in biology. As she discusses, oysters are a keystone species: when they take a hit, so do all their aquatic neighbors. Thus, her summer studies focused on these linchpin bivalves to expand ORCA's knowledge and understanding of their purpose in the Indian River Lagoon as well as the risks they face via increasing toxin exposure. She experienced the true struggles of scientists everywhere as she troubleshot road blocks time and again, but this only enhanced her perception of what applied research is. Lanyon whole-heartedly engaged with the IRL community by working in both the lab and the field over three months. Ultimately, her work set the foundation for one of ORCA's up-and-coming Citizen Science projects.
Want to be a resilient scientist like Kathryn? Check out https://www.teamorca.org/citizen-science.html
** Project described in this episode has evolved during the pilot study and additional information will be available early 2020.**

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Previous Episode

Episode 3: Science Funding and Policy: We Asked George Jones

Episode 3. Science Funding and Policy: We Asked George Jones

George Jones, ORCA Government / NGO Representative and policy advisor walks us through the complexities of state funding for science and how the results of that science are used to drive local environmental policy.

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Episode 5: Citizen Science

We've all heard that age-old saying that you could be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.Traditionally though, that was pretty difficult for those environmental issues that required scientific solutions. It's 2019, however, and that's no longer the case. The Ocean Research and Conservation Association has a unique approach to applied research. As you heard last week, ORCA takes marine science education seriously through robust internship programs. Yet, the learning doesn't stop once summer comes to a close and the seasonal interns return to their studies...
Missy Weiss is the Director of Citizen Science at ORCA. Her job is to ensure the science we do in the lab and field is understood and utilized by the public. One of the main ways she leads this effort is by inviting members of the community in to conduct science using the same methods we do day-in and day-out. ORCA knows that the local scientific process is bolstered by local perspective, initiative, and engagement. And, unequivocally, diversity in our population of citizen scientists is critical: regardless of age, race, gender, education, ability, or income your collaboration matters. Missy holds fast to the hope that despite any of these differences, we're all born with an innate sense of curiosity and inquiry.
This week, we dive into the reasons why citizen science matters, what specific programs ORCA is facilitating in partnership with community members, and how you can get involved. Listen and share with all your environment and science buffs; you won't want to miss opportunities like fish dissections, algae sampling, and shoreline reconstruction.
Click here if you're ready to become an ORCA citizen scientist, and here if you'd like to support ORCA's Citizen Science initiatives.

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