SDSU Marine Ecology and Biology Student Association

Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and donated to make this such a great Marine Science Day 🌊 We truly couldn’t have done it without you! Your support means everything!

Already looking forward to next year 🐚💙

Lewison Lab Spotlight 🏞️🌎🔬👫
Our current research highlights the work of Troy Wynne, a PhD Candidate in the Conservation Ecology Lab. She studies conservation and human ecology, focusing on how climate change and transboundary pollution shape ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Her work centers on the Tijuana River Watershed, where she explores environmental justice, resilience, and community-driven solutions.

Dr. Nima Farchadi presented at NOAA headquarters in 2023 on his research of how marine heatwaves are redistributing pelagic fishing vessels.

Come to Marine Science Day to learn more!!

🌊🦞🪸Marine Science Day Giveaway! 🐙🐠🦀

⭐️ We’re giving away 5 free raffle tickets to use at the Marine Science Day raffle!! Follow the instructions below and you’ll be entered to win! ⭐️
🎟️ Like this post
🎟️ Tag 2 friends in the comments
🎟️ Share this post to your story

Winner announced 4/26 at 10am.

🔬📚 Lab Spotlight: Sbeglia BER Lab

We study how people learn biology-and what shapes their pathways into science. Our work blends quantitative + qualitative research to explore how cognitive, social, and environmental factors impact understanding of core concepts like natural selection and energy transformation.

👩‍🔬 Meet the Team

Poorvi Datta – 1st-year PhD studying disability in biology learning
Maraliz Fischler-Barraza – 4th-year PhD exploring community college pathways, with a focus on women, Hispanic/Latiné, and transfer students
Dr. Lily McIntire – Postdoc analyzing large-scale bio education data + improving student assessment tools
Dr. Gena Sbeglia (PI) – Leads the lab, teaches BIOL 204, and specializes in psychometrics + biology education research
Audrey Johnson – 3rd-year PhD studying science career decision-making + real-world career exposure
Giselle Hernandez Contreras – Senior researching family influence on Latiné student career choices
Arianna Dial – Alum, now entering SDSU Public Health grad program
Derek Verbon – Alum, now an education lead at Sea Life Aquarium

✨ Arianna & Derek continue contributing to BER research, building strong quantitative + qualitative skills along the way.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.genasbeglia.com/ and come check out our table at MSD!! ⭐️🌊

Luke Miller’s Lab at SDSU 🌊🔬

This lab studies how marine organisms (like mussels and sea stars) survive in changing ocean conditions—like temperature, waves, and climate stress. Using novel coastal biosensor methods, the team supports greater intertidal community productivity and resilience against climate warming impacts.

Through fieldwork and lab experiments, students learn how coastal life adapts and what that means for the future of our oceans. 🐚🌱

Long Lab Spotlight 🌊🦭🐚

Here’s some of the research happening in the lab:

Xavius studies estuarine fish communities and ways to enhance recreation opportunities in conservation areas 🐟

Amarie explores how marine subsidies shape coastal plant communities 🌱

Valentina investigates how invasive Sargassum impacts the diet and performance of black abalone 🐚

Alejandro is an undergraduate researcher working with Valentina

From fish to plants to invertebrates, Long Lab is all about understanding and protecting coastal ecosystems. Find out more at Dr. Jeremy Long’s talk on Sunday at 12:30 at Marine Science Day!! ⭐️

Hovel Lab Spotlight 🦞🐙🐠🌱🌡️
Research in the Marine Conservation and Ecology Lab at SDSU explores how changing ocean conditions impact coastal ecosystems and the species that depend on them.

Makayla: I am studying the effects of microplastic pollution on eelgrass (Zostera marina) physiology.
Jesse: I study how octopuses affect ocean ecosystems: As octopus are expanding into new ecosystems, we need to understand what impact they may have.
Ruby: I study the impacts of ocean acidification and an invasive anemone on eelgrass habitat.
Lily: I study the impact of oa and temperature rise on fish in eelgrass habitats.
Shoshana: Studies lobster population and the effects of MPAs and the impact of climate on lobster feeding behavior.

From eelgrass meadows to shifting species interactions, this work highlights how multiple stressors are shaping marine ecosystems. Find out more at Marine Science Day! ✨

Lab spotlight: Edwards Lab 🌿✨

From cleaning up San Diego Bay with sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) to studying rhodolith beds off Santa Catalina Island, our research connects coastal ecosystems with real-world impact.

With support from the Port of San Diego and CA SeaGrant, we’re exploring how marine systems respond to stress, and how they can help heal it.

Come visit our table and kelp forest tunnel at Marine Science Day to learn more! 🐚🌊🔬

Join us on Tuesday the 21st to help make signs and other decorations for Marine Science Day on the 26th! We’ll be meeting in LSS 343 from 4-6pm. Hope to see you there!

We are excited to announce our 2026 Marine Science Day Speaker Series!! 🐠🪸🐋🐚

SAVE THE DATE! 🌊🐠

Marine Science Day is just around the corner! Join us on Sunday, April 26th, 2026, from 11 AM to 3 PM for a day of fun activities at SDSU’s Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory (CMIL).

Explore ongoing marine research, tour our facilities, and enjoy hands-on activities focused on marine biology and conservation. This FREE event is open to all ages—perfect for any and all ocean enthusiasts!

For more details, visit the Marine Science Day 2025 webpage (link in bio) and subscribe to our email list for updates. Stay tuned for more info—we can’t wait to see you there! 🌊🔬🐚

Thank you for everyone who came to volunteer with us and last weekend.

With MEBSA's collaboration with Wildlife Jewels' EYES program, which helps to detect and protect distressed California's coastal wildlife, we can expect to see more SDSU field days in the future.

This is also a great field research opportunity that students of all major can join as volunteers.

📍The first image above featured a Western Gull found injured in it's beak last week. This is an example of what we look for in the EYES program, where volunteers' report can help to call for efforts to help and rescue animals of such cases.

🐙 Follow for more information on their programs and stay connected with MEBSA for more related updates.