Dr. Bette H. Nybakken and Thomas Knowles
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The Nybakken Scholarship was given to recipient Thomas Knowles on Thursday, March 4, 2010.  The award was presented by Dr. Bette H. Nybakken, a long-time faculty member at Hartnell College, former MLML Phycology instructor, and wife of the late James Nybakken.

Established in 2009 by Moss Landing Marine Laboratories' (MLML) founding faculty member James Nybakken, candidates are to demonstrate the potential to become outstanding scientists by conducting innovative research.  Thomas Knowles proved to be a deserving awardee.

The following is an summary of Mr. Knowles' thesis project:

Title: Effects of pH on asexual reproduction and statolith development in the Scyphozoan jellyfish Chrysaora colorata.

"Recent studies have shown that anthropogenic CO₂ in the atmosphere is dissolving into the oceans, causing an increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions and therefore, a decrease in the pH of the oceans. The effects of acidification and the lowering of carbonate ion concentrations on marine organisms is not completely understood, but it has been shown to have adverse effects on calcification by corals, shellfish, pteropods, and sea urchin larvae. Fewer studies have directly examined the effects of ocean acidification on jellyfish biology and ecology. This study will examine the effects of ocean acidification on statolith development as well as asexual reproduction -- number of podocysts formed, length of time to begin strobiliation, duration of strobiliation, and number of ephyrae released -- in the Scyphozoan jellyfish Chrysaora colorata."

Congratulations Tommy!

Left to right: Dr. Jonathan Geller, Dr. Bette H. Nybakken, Thomas Knowles, and Dr. Gregor M. Cailliet.

The Nybakken selection committee comprised of Invertebrate Zoologist, Dr. Jonathan Geller, Dr. Bette H. Nybakken, and Emeritus Faculty of Ichthyology, Dr. Greg Cailliet.
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Left to right: Jeremiah Brower of Friends, Dr. Bette H. Nybakken, Thomas Knowles, and Dr. Greg Cailliet

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