Big Congrats to Shelby on Her New Publication!
/We are so incredibly proud to share that Shelby has officially published her
manuscript: "Effects of thermal history on the heat shock response of bull kelp
(Nereocystis luetkeana)".
This exciting work dives into how past temperature exposure (thermal history) affects
the ability of bull kelp to respond to heat stress — a critical question as marine
heatwaves become more frequent and severe.
Shelby’s study is the first to report on the heat shock response in bull kelp, and her findings
suggest that acclimation temperature plays a key role in shaping their resilience.
Everyone should go read it as it's an important step forward in understanding how
climate change is impacting our coastal ecosystems.
Amazing work, Shelby! 👏
Welcome Chris to the Zippay Lab!
/We are excited to welcome Christopher, our new undergraduate student, to the Zippay Lab!
Chris is pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a Zoology concentration. He is most interested in animal behavior research and how wild species acclimate to changing environments. Chris is very excited to contribute to the research at Zippay Lab and obtain knowledge that can be utilized for wild species.
Aiyana Awarded Graduate Equity Fellowship at SSU
/We are thrilled to congratulate Aiyana on receiving an award for the 2025–
2026 academic year!
The Sonoma State Graduate Student Equity Fellowship is designed to support
first-generation, minority graduate students by reducing reliance on student
loans and helping accelerate progress toward degree completion.
Preference is given to students, like Aiyana, who demonstrate a strong
interest in pursuing doctoral studies and a future in academia.
Thanks to her outstanding and competitive application, Aiyana has been
selected for fellowship funding for the upcoming school year.
Congratulations, Aiyana — well done!
Aiyana Awarded Al Gerhardt Memorial Scholarship by Sonoma County Fish & Wildlife Commission
/We’re proud to share that Aiyana Singh, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of
the Al Gerhardt Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the Sonoma County Fish
& Wildlife Commission during their May 15 meeting.
It honors the legacy of Commissioner Al Gerhardt, recognizing students who
demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to natural resource management,
environmental restoration, or preservation.
