Shedding Light on the Harmful Impacts of Oil: An Interview with Maria Rodgers
BY MARGAUX MONFARED
Maria Rodgers, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Lab, studies the responses of marine species to oil in the Gulf of Mexico. With an impressive six publications to her name, read further to unravel how Maria got to where she is now.
Maria presenting a poster at a scientific conference (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2018, Sacramento, CA, USA), Image by Danielle Simning.
Hey! You are currently a Postdoctoral Fellow, describe the path you took to where you are now.
After becoming obsessed with the ocean at a young age, I knew that I wanted to pursue studies related to marine science. I filled up on science courses during high school, and then I attended the University of Miami to obtain a B.S. degree with majors in Marine Science and Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. It was during my undergraduate experience that I realized I wanted to pursue research. After graduating from Miami, I attended Clemson University to obtain a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences. My specific research focused on understanding more about the health and immune systems of wild sea turtles. I came to love both research and teaching so I started a postdoctoral fellowship at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory to learn even more about research and hopefully pursue a career as a professor in the future.
You’ve built your life around the ocean. What drew you to it in the first place?
I grew up in rural western Pennsylvania where the nearest ocean is about 6 hours away. When I was around 6 or 7, my parents took us to the beach for the very first time, and I fell in love! I was fascinated by all of the creatures that I saw (crabs, fish, etc.) and I had so many questions. Where did they live? What did they eat? Did they sleep? Ever since that experience I haven’t been able to stop asking questions about the ocean. I’ll never forget how excited I was to see the ocean with my own eyes for the first time.
Maria and Fred with a tagged loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) during a research cruise in May 2016, Image by Mike Arendt.
Your work focuses on the effects of oil spills on fish. Can you explain why oil exposure is harmful to aquatic life?
Oil exposure can be harmful to aquatic life in a variety of ways and research taking place after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has continued to shed light on these harmful impacts. Oil exposure can be outright lethal, but it can also cause nonlethal effects too. For example, oil can impact development of the heart and eyes and can also impact the immune system and its development and responses in fishes. In dolphins from oiled estuaries, reproductive outcome is decreased and lung disease is more prevalent. Even in invertebrates such as shrimp, exposure to oil can slow growth. Unfortunately, oil exposure can cause a myriad of effects across various aquatic species so it’s really important for us to conduct a variety of studies to understand these consequences.
Can you describe what the response of fish is to oil exposure?
The responses of fish to oil exposure can vary with species, exposure concentration and duration, the specific type of oil that they are exposed to, how old they are, and even environmental parameters during exposure (such as the temperature and salinity). However, in general, research has demonstrated that oil exposure in fish modulates immune responses, causes cardiac abnormalities, damages the liver and gills, can impair reproduction and development, and more. That’s why we worry so much about oil spills.
Can you explain how you collect your data?
I collect data in a variety of ways, depending on the specific project. For the oil spill work, I have mostly used laboratory-raised fish and exposed them to oil under controlled laboratory settings. We very carefully monitor the fish every day to make sure that they are eating, that their water parameters are appropriate (such as the temperature), and to take notes on anything that we notice. Once an experiment is terminated, we collect tissues from the fish (such as the spleen and liver) for use in downstream applications such as RNAsequencing.
Image to show the early life stage Cyprinodon variegatus (sheepshead minnow) under a dissecting scope.
What has been your experience as a woman in ocean science?
I’d have to say that my experience has varied. While some people have actively encouraged me and are champions of women in science, others aren’t. We still have a long way to go.
Who or what do you draw your inspiration from?
I think that I mostly draw inspiration from the people around me. I grew up with two parents who worked really, really hard and always did the right thing (even when it was the tough thing). I am also lucky enough to have an amazing sister who is a constant source of encouragement. She’s a Physician Assistant and also a professor (training the next generation of Physician Assistants). Every day she’s helping others and that really inspires me. I’d be remiss not to also mention my grandma who is tougher than nails and will go out of her way to help anyone with anything, no matter how small.
Which ocean species is on your bucket list to see?
Definitely zebra sharks! They are my absolute favourite ocean animals. In fact, I love zebra sharks so much that I have a mini plastic zebra shark on my desk at work and my dog even has a stuffed zebra shark toy!
Maria’s dog cuddling up to her favourite marine species, the Zebra Shark!
Whose work has influenced and inspired you?
So many women in science have inspired me. Rachel Carson has always resonated with me because we’re from the same area (western PA) and she also studied marine biology and toxicology. I am also inspired by scientists like Alice Ball, Ellen Ochoa, Sylvia Earle, Mary G. Ross, Rosalind Franklin, Marie Curie, Chien-Shiung Wu, Barbara McClintock, and many others.
What is one thing you wish someone had told you/taught you a long time ago?
That work doesn’t define your worth and that you shouldn’t be comparing your productivity to the productivity of others. I think that in science we sometimes get so wrapped up in impact factors and grant money and presentations that we start feeling like those things define our worth. Then we compare ourselves to others “I only had two papers this year and so-and-so had four!” and it’s very toxic. You can absolutely be happy for other people and their achievements, but don’t let their achievements lessen yours, and remember that you are so much more than your work.
How has the recent COVID-19 pandemic affected (or not) you and your research?
COVID-19 has certainly impacted many scientists at all levels. For me personally, I have been unable to work in the laboratory since mid-March. At home, I have been finishing some data processing and analyses and creating figures, writing manuscripts, and reading literature. I am incredibly lucky to have a job and be in good health right now.
Where do you go from here?
Great question! I’m hoping to continue performing research at the intersection of immunology, toxicology, and marine biology. I’d love to become a professor one day and have my own lab and teach the next generation of scientists.
Keep up to date with Maria and her adventures by following her on Instagram: @mermaidmaria27