Dr. Erin Meyer-Gutbrod is a new Assistant Professor in the SEOE
She is interested in quantitative marine ecology, especially the intersection of ecosystem
function and environmental change stemming from anthropogenic impacts. Her research
focuses on systems that contain ecologically threatened or economically valuable species.
Currently, Dr. Meyer-Gutbrod is investigating the impacts of climate change on the
distribution, foraging success and reproduction of the critically endangered North
Atlantic right whale. Understanding and predicting right whale movements and population
changes are valuable for informing maritime policies that protect these animals from
ship strikes and fishing gear entanglement. Dr. Meyer-Gutbrod is also investigating
the productivity and taxonomic composition of artificial reef communities that have
emerged beneath California offshore oil and gas platforms. This work is vital for
informing the creation,management and removal of offshore infrastructure and its impacts
on regional marine ecosystems. As a teacher and mentor, Dr. Meyer-Gutbrod plans to
train undergraduate and graduate students in programming and data science skills to
facilitate independent student research.