Current Researchers
Cassandra Brooks
Dr. Cassandra Brooks is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. She works at the intersection of marine science, environmental policy and public outreach to achieve conservation solutions. Cassandra has a fierce passion for Antarctica, with the last fifteen years of her career focused on protecting the region.
Cassandra Brooks
Dr. Cassandra Brooks is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. She works at the intersection of marine science, environmental policy and public outreach to achieve conservation solutions. Cassandra has a fierce passion for Antarctica, with the last fifteen years of her career focused on protecting the region.
Ashley McKenzie
Ashley is the lab manager for the Brooks Lab at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at the University of Colorado Boulder. She received her B.S. in Biology and Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). Ashley’s research as an undergraduate focused on the application of stable isotope and mercury analyses to detect dietary differences among populations of Adélie Penguins in Antarctica and assess the bioavailability of mercury in Southern Ocean ecosystems. Ashley went on to further study the paleoecology of Adélie Penguins during her Ph.D., in which she investigated the carbon isotopic signature of penguin derived fecal sterols from ancient guano in ornithogenic soils at abandoned breeding sites to examine the reliability of traditional methodology employed in the field. In her current role as lab manager, Ashley works closely with Dr. Brooks and students to execute an on-going project aimed to acquire information on the life history and connectivity of Antarctic toothfish.
Ashley is the lab manager for the Brooks Lab at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at the University of Colorado Boulder. She received her B.S. in Biology and Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). Ashley’s research as an undergraduate focused on the application of stable isotope and mercury analyses to detect dietary differences among populations of Adélie Penguins in Antarctica and assess the bioavailability of mercury in Southern Ocean ecosystems. Ashley went on to further study the paleoecology of Adélie Penguins during her Ph.D., in which she investigated the carbon isotopic signature of penguin derived fecal sterols from ancient guano in ornithogenic soils at abandoned breeding sites to examine the reliability of traditional methodology employed in the field. In her current role as lab manager, Ashley works closely with Dr. Brooks and students to execute an on-going project aimed to acquire information on the life history and connectivity of Antarctic toothfish.
Hayley Kwasniewski
Coming from a biochemistry, earth science, and conservation background, Hayley's PhD project is looking at Antarctic toothfish otolith age and growth parameters and stable isotope chemistry to provide critical information to help conserve this keystone species. Hayley is particularly interested in seeing if a connection exists between the potential alterations of oceanic currents due to climate change, and how that could manifest into the Antarctic toothfish life cycle movements. They are also very passionate about taking knowledge and turning it into action with plans to share research findings with key Antarctic conservation stakeholders.
Rose Leeger
Rose is a first-year PhD student studying Antarctic toothfish otolith microchemistry, with a specific focus on trace metal analysis. Using samples that expand circumpolar across the Southern Ocean, Rose hopes to uncover how these different toothfish populations are migrating and dispersing over time. Rose also hopes to incorporate machine learning techniques to age and growth readings of toothfish otoliths as well. Long-term, Rose plans to aid in the policy component of the reevaluation of the Ross Sea MPA by contributing to the life history characters Antarctic toothfish have based on otolith microchemistry.
Ivory Carpenter
Ivory is a third-year undergraduate student studying Environmental Studies with a particular interest in marine conservation and environmental justice. As an intern on the Antarctic Toothfish Project, Ivory aspires to expand her skills and knowledge in conservational research and environmental policy. Ivory is also passionate about science communications and is helping to craft and publish content for the project’s various social media platforms in addition to keeping the website up to date. Moving forward on the project, Ivory will process, analyze, and age toothfish otoliths from the Amundsen Sea to produce knowledge about previously unknown life history characteristics of toothfish in hopes to provide science that will influence future Southern Ocean policies and MPAs.
Leah Welner
Leah is a junior at New Vista High School who is passionate about ocean conservation and hopes to study marine science further in the future. She is particularly interested in the global interaction of marine ecosystems. As a part of the Antarctic Toothfish Project, Leah hopes to work towards a greater public understanding of the importance of Antarctic ecosystems to global ecological health. In the past year, she has enjoyed learning more about the role of toothfish in Antarctica’s seas, as well as working on preparing, labeling, cataloging, and photographing otoliths. Leah hopes to continue working on this project to expand the reach of education and knowledge of issues in Antarctic MPAs.
Leah is a junior at New Vista High School who is passionate about ocean conservation and hopes to study marine science further in the future. She is particularly interested in the global interaction of marine ecosystems. As a part of the Antarctic Toothfish Project, Leah hopes to work towards a greater public understanding of the importance of Antarctic ecosystems to global ecological health. In the past year, she has enjoyed learning more about the role of toothfish in Antarctica’s seas, as well as working on preparing, labeling, cataloging, and photographing otoliths. Leah hopes to continue working on this project to expand the reach of education and knowledge of issues in Antarctic MPAs.
Clare Gallagher
Clare spent the first year of her PhD setting up the lab and processing and aging otoliths. She's currently comparing otolith aging on a microscope versus a computer monitor. She's passionate about global marine conservation. She is also researching polymetallic nodule mining in the Pacific Ocean and is passionate about international ocean conservation.
Past Researchers
Elena Wimberger
Elena was a Masters of the Environment student studying environmental and natural resources policy. She is interested in the intersection of science and policy as well as the effective creation and monitoring of marine protected areas.
Abby Plomondon
Abby was an undergraduate in the Leeds School of Business studying Marketing along with a certificate in Global and Environmental Affairs. She is interested in marine ecosystems and hopes to continue to learn and support environmental efforts.
