Neely, Karen

Ph.D. Student, Ecology, Duke University (Fall 2002)

While an upbringing in Colorado and a degree from the University of Colorado may not be suggestive of a career in marine biology, both led to a love of the outdoors and a fascination with the distant ocean which helped pave my path to the Duke University Marine Lab. After graduation, I spent several years working with various research projects and environmental education programs all over the world. A stint with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority convinced me that the beauty, complexity, and problems facing coral reefs were exactly what I wanted to study.

Here at Duke I hope to look at the effects of coral bleaching on the rest of the reef community. Does a decrease in living coral result in a decreased diversity of fish and invertebrates? Do the resulting increases in algae lead to increased herbivore densities? What other changes can be observed, and what drives those changes?

My related interests lie in applying those findings to conservation projects and increasing public awareness of both scientific discoveries and environmental problems through education.

Outside of graduate school, I try to balance water-related pastimes such as sailing, scuba diving, and sitting on the beach with the more terrestrial skiing, seeing new places, and of course snowball fights.

Contact

E-mail: kln3@duke.edu
Work phone: (919) 949-0744

Home | About the Lab | Publications | Research | Students | Staff | Classes | Links