My thesis research focused on the demography of the intertidal kelp Alaria marginata along the Big Sur coast of California. I examined how patterns of recruitment, growth, and reproduction affected persistence of the large (>5m), annual kelp along this wave-exposed stretch of coast. I am interested in how species’ life histories influence seaweed persistence, and their patterns of abundance and distribution. In addition to my work with Alaria, I am looking at long-term recovery rates of intertidal algal and invertebrate assemblages impacted by a boat wreck/salvage in Monterey Bay (collaboration with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary). I plan to continue research on both of these projects, as well as explore similar research with macroalgae in the Gulf of California, Baja California, Sur.