An Interview with Ariel Pezner: Biological Oceanographer
BY MARGAUX MONFARED
Human included stressors plague the Rainforests of our seas. These exquisite underwater ecosystems characterised by reef building corals, host 25 % of all known marine life, yet merely cover 0.1 % of the Earths surface. Coral reefs first emerged 485 million years ago, however, they could be lost by the end of this decade. It is now more than ever imperative to understand how coral reefs will fare under approaching change.
Meet Ariel Pezner, a third year PhD student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at the University of California San Diego whom is a biological oceanographer.
Seagrass Selfie!
You’ve built your life around the ocean. What drew you to it in the first place?
I have always loved the ocean and the creatures in it - I think partly because of my name - but also because I was lucky to be a part of a family that travelled a lot when I was growing up. Every year we would go to the Kona Coast in Hawaii and I would spend nearly all my time in the water or on the beach. When I was about 5 years old, I started snorkelling, which helped me really be a part of this whole other colourful, exciting world beneath the surface.
While I was an undergraduate student, I took part in a field research quarter in Mo’orea, French Polynesia where I got to combine my love of coral reefs with my interest in research. This trip really solidified my passion for coral reef science.
Ariel Pezner Snorkelling on a reef in French Polynesia
Her research focuses on characterising the variability of water chemistry and dissolved oxygen on coral reefs around the world with particular interest of the impacts on coral calcification. Coral reefs are formed from Scleractinian corals, also known as stony corals that form colonies of coral polyps composed of calcium carbonate. Coral calcification refers to the rate at which reef-building corals lay down their calcium carbonate skeleton, thus it is a measure of coral growth. Calcification rates are therefore an important indicator for healthy reef ecosystems.
Ariel snorkelling on a reef in Taiping Island
Ariel’s most recent work focuses on corals growing in neighbouring seagrass beds, which experience high pH and oxygen concentrations during the day, but are exposed to acidic and hypoxic (oxygen deprived) conditions at night. Fieldwork is performed with her lab in which a series of water samples are gathered and analysed for changes in chemistry. A variety of instruments are used and positioned in the water to constantly record water chemistry and oxygen data. Additionally, coral cores are collected and used for isotope analyses. Once they have been cut and x-rayed, they are then used to measure a corals’ annual growth and calcification rates. Ariel’s daily routine is ever changing and ‘It really depends on what needs to get done, how much time we have, and also the weather!’ she revealed.
Ariel is a destined traveller and her work has taken her to Donghsa Atoll and Taiping Island in the South China Sea and Okinawa in Japan. She is no stranger to adventure and often uses boats, kayaks, jet skis, snorkelling, scuba diving and sometimes even a power drill to collect her data. Once the field data is collected she spends time in the lab analysing water samples and running aquarium experiments!
Ariel Pezner conducting field experiments in Taiwan. First picture shows Ariel drilling a coral core in the seagrass bed; Second picture is a drone image of Ariel and her lab mate collecting water samples.
Not only is she a superwoman when it comes to her field, she is an advocate for women and minorities in science and is actively involved in the student group at SIO. Read below for more of Ariel’s insightful advice.
How do you hope your voice and work will influence others?
I plan to continue conducting research and publishing results that help us better understand how corals respond to low oxygen conditions and other stressors. I also want my work with corals and seagrasses to be able to inform potential management solutions for coral reefs in the face of environmental change.
Aside from the science itself, I also want to use my voice to communicate my findings, not only to scientific audiences, but also to the public. As a multiracial woman in science, I hope to continue serving as a mentor for younger scientists and to encourage them to engage, ask questions, and become as fascinated with science as I have.
What is one thing you wish someone had told you/taught you a long time ago?
Every experience is a useful experience. I learned this mostly in undergrad, but it holds true in different parts of life as well. I did a lot of internships and research experiences in college that had nothing to do with what I do now, but I learned a little something from every one of them. Even if you find yourself doing something you don’t see yourself doing long-term, figure out what you can take away from the experience that will benefit you or help you learn something new!
Which ocean species is on your bucket list to see?
I’m really looking forward to seeing a Mola mola (Ocean sunfish) in the wild! I’ve managed to check off seeing some of my other bucket list creatures (like whale sharks and manta rays), but Mola molas are definitely the next on the list. They’re so goofy looking; you can’t help but love them.
Where do you go from here?
I still have a few years left in my PhD program, so that’s what I’m focusing on now. After that, I’d like to get a postdoc position where I can learn some new skills and then start applying for jobs! I’m still figuring out what path I’d like to go down exactly but in the meantime I’m excited to keep learning, traveling, and doing science.
When Ariel is not contributing to her research or participating in science outreach events, she has a passion for snorkelling, doing yoga, baking, and going to concerts and festivals.
Keep up to date with Ariel and her awesome work by showing her some ocean love and follow her on Instagram @arielpezner.