“It’s amazing as an undergraduate to participate in these research opportunities.”

Research fellow: Daniela O’Regan
Hometown: Charlton, MA
School: Roger Williams University
Major: Biology
Mentors: Dale Leavitt, Matt Griffiths
Project: Evaluating oyster growth performance in upwellers under varying environmental conditions

RWU junior Danielal O’Regan speaks intently about her long-term goal of working on behalf of the environment.

“I want to be conservationist,” she says, thoughtfully. “Ideally, I’d like to work for the United Nations, in the area of politics between countries and conservation laws, conserving areas like the rain forest.”

At the moment, though, O’Regan’s focus is trained on the clam harvest technique of bullraking, a rake-like piece of equipment that is dragged along the bottom of the ocean floor to scoop up clams buried in the dirt.

O’Regan, for her RI EPSCoR Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), is investigating the environmental impact of the bullraking method, collecting sediment samples to gauge turnover and recovery rates, essentially tracking if and for how long it takes life at the bottom to return to normal after being disrupted.

Sediment samples are taken before and after bullraking to better understand the impact humans — and their fishing technique — have on the environment. By looking at the sediment under a microscope, O’Regan can identify which organisms are in the sediment and whether they return after bullraking or resettle elsewhere.

The study has O’Regan working every day on the project, just like what she might do in a real world setting, she notes. Although not her first research experience, the SURF project offers a valuable perspective and experience, she says:

“It’s amazing as an undergraduate to participate in these research opportunities. One thing I’ve definitely learned so far is about being independent in your research. Nobody is going to sit and hold your hand. You’ve got to figure things out on your own.”

Story by Amy Dunkle | Photo by Tracey Wysor