Morgan Martinez

Marine Laboratory Research Assistant

As a Marine Laboratory Research Assistant, I study marine predator diets and zooplankton off the coast of California. Our marine predator diet studies provide insights into changing forage species communities within our region, while our zooplankton research examines the impacts of varying oceanographic conditions on zooplankton taxa. My work in the marine lab consists of sorting and analyzing diet samples, such as regurgitated seabird pellets and sea lion fecal matter, to identify components like fish ear bones and krill parts. I also assist with identifying krill in zooplankton samples collected during our ACCESS research cruises.

Although I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley, hours from the ocean, I discovered my passion for marine conservation in high school. In 2022, I earned my B.A. in Marine Science with a minor in Conservation and Resource Studies from UC Berkeley. Through volunteering, and working at Caldwell Lab during my undergraduate studies, I’ve been able to care for tons of different ocean creatures like mantis shrimp and swell sharks. My previous research experience also includes interning with the Marine Conservation Institute to evaluate marine protected areas from around the world and studying biofouling communities in Maryland with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory. In the future, I hope to continue to work with nonprofits like Point Blue while conducting research that will protect our marine ecosystems.

These days, you can find me at Point Blue’s Petaluma headquarters, analyzing samples in the marine lab. Outside of work, I enjoy volunteering with wildlife rehabilitation and spending time with friends and family! My pronouns are she/her/hers.

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