Natalie Dornan

Biography

I was raised in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California, and fell in love with the ocean after moving to San Luis Obispo, CA to attend community college. I then transferred to the University of Hawai῾i at Mānoa (UH) on O῾ahu and studied marine systems in the context of natural resource management issues in Hawai῾i. At UH I was given the opportunity to explore the different facets of marine science, including outreach education with local organizations and working with the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center on sea turtle health. I was then hired on as a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Matthew J. Church where I was able to participate in carbon cycling research and sail aboard multiple research cruises, which solidified my interest in biogeochemical cycling. After taking a break from oceanographic research to work and pursue my Masters, I am excited to transition into the Santoro Lab where I will investigate the nutrient cycling of ecologically and economically important kelp forests here in the Santa Barbara Channel.