Graduate Studies

Department of Fisheries Oceanography "Diverse uses for Species Distribution Models (SDMs) in New England fisheries management" Michelle Bachman Lead Fishery Analyst, NEFMC Wednesday, November 27, 2024 3pm-4pm SMAST E 101-102 and via Zoom Abstract: Species Distribution Models (SDMs) combine presence / absence or relative abundance data from fishery-independent surveys with environmental data to predict the probability of marine fish and shellfish species occurrence through space and time. Using Community Basis Function Modeling techniques (Hui et al. 2023), offshore and inshore fish survey data, and a diverse suite of environmental predictors, we are estimating distributions for New England Council and Mid-Atlantic Council managed species and other abundant species in the Northeast U.S. Shelf Ecosystem. A solid understanding of current species distributions and the factors that influence them is essential to fisheries management decision-making in an era of climate change. We envision diverse applications for model outputs that aim to improve the responsiveness and resilience of fisheries management. The initial application for these model outputs is revising essential fish habitat designation maps. The Council's essential fish habitat designations support fisheries management decisions as well as consultations on non-fishing projects that are likely to impact fish habitats, and, by extension, fishery resources and fisheries. The three climate-resilience applications are: (1) identifying considerations for designating ecosystem component species in our fishery management plans, (2) developing revisions to governance approaches to account for current vs. historic species distributions, and (3) evaluating the results of portfolio analyses that will be used to identify opportunities and gaps in our management system, for example how fishing permits are structured. This talk will briefly describe our modeling approach and share how the results will be applied to each of these four projects. Potential future updates to these SDMs will also be noted. Join the Zoom Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions, please email Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu

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Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences "Biodegradation Test Methods for Polymers in the Marine Environment" Jo Ann Ratto Ross Adjunct Professor, Plastics Engineering Department, UMass Lowell Wednesday, December 4, 2024 12:30pm-1:30pm SMAST E 101-102 and via Zoom Abstract: Biodegradable polymers have historically been studied as a solution to reduce solid waste since they can decompose in soil, compost and/or the marine environment. However, biodegradation is a challenge for most polymers in the marine environment. An introduction to polymers will be presented focusing on several biodegradable polymers. A tiered approach to evaluate the biodegradation of polymers in the marine environment will also be reviewed. The Tier 1 method utilizes an optimized environment, sample preparation and conditions to evaluate biodegradation by respirometry. A Tier 2 test uses weight loss as a function of time to evaluate actual items in the marine environment, and a Tier 3 test has items positioned in the deep sea for weight loss studies. Overall, this Tier 1 approach is a valuable screening method for polymers while Tiers 2 and 3 are real-life test methods for determining the fate of polymers in the marine environment. Toxicity as well as disintegration tests are also important when studying polymers in the marine environment. Sample data and results will be shown for a variety of materials. Join the Zoom https://umassd.zoom.us/j/97440069270 Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions, please email Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu

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Thesis defense by Jeffrey Illsley Title: Identity and Democracy: Cultivating a Voice in Professional Political Communications Abstract: The portfolio Identity and Democracy is a showcase of both real world professional political communications and the academic analysis of modern political communications. The portfolio lends special focus to the role identity plays in political rhetoric and how it is applied from our local State Representative's office all the way to Washington D.C. This portfolio demonstrates the best practices of political communication and illuminates an analysis of those strategies. Contact: Professor Katie DeLuca, kdeluca1@umassd.edu Committee: Professor Chris Eisenhart (advisor) and Professor Karen Gulbrandsen

Liberal Arts Building 202

Title: Photochemical Synthesis of Unnatural Amino Acids and Their Genetically Encoded Incorporation into Proteins in Live-Cells by Cem Celik Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Time: 2pm Abstract: Unnatural amino acids (UAAs) are widely used in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry; however, their syntheses are still quite challenging as the current synthetic procedures involve multiple steps with low-yielding and are environmentally unfriendly. My dissertation research focuses on developing a new photochemical method for efficient synthesis of unnatural amino acids and exploring their applications in incorporating proteins in live-cells. This research develops an efficient novel photochemical CCUAA method for synthesis a broad range of unnatural amino acids with varied properties, which may find broad applications in chemical biology research and medicinal industry. Their protein incorporation enables novel bio-imaging and other technologies that will have a significant impact on fundamental and applied research by shedding light on unknown cellular functions, networks, processes, and modifying such processes. PhD Dissertation Committee: Dr. Maolin Guo (Advisor) Dr. Catherine Neto (Chemistry) Dr. Shuowei Cai (Chemistry) Dr. Katrina Velle (Biology) Join Zoom Meeting: https://umassd.zoom.us/j/99388959356?pwd=ZwtfQGWXaba50bA6jDqFYx2pqZubTw.1 Meeting ID: 993 8895 9356 Passcode: 238584

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