I am a first year Ph.D. student at the University of Rhode Island in the Putnam Eco-Physiology and Environmental Epigenetics of Marine Invertebrates Laboratory. I am broadly interested in the ecophysiology within coral reef ecosystems and how global climate change and epigenomic processes influence coral population dynamics for generations to come.
I am dedicated to open, rigorous, and reproducible experiments, data, and analyses that can help enhance scientific learning and propel research forward.
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Danielle M. Becker
Curriculum Vitae
POSITIONS HELD
| Time | Position | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-2020 | Graduate Research Assistant | California State University, Northridge (CSUN) |
| 2018-2019 | Teaching Associate: Biological Principles I (x5) | California State University, Northridge (CSUN) |
| 2018 | Teaching Assistant: Coral Reef Ecology | Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) |
| 2018 | Research Assistant | BIOS |
| 2017 | Research Assistant | BIOS |
| 2017 | Teaching Assistant: Coral Reef Ecology Course | BIOS |
| 2017 | Teaching Assistant: Marine Biology and Oceanographic Research Course | BIOS |
| 2017 | Coral Reef Field and Research Assistant | Velaa Private Island, Maldives |
| 2016 | Galbraith/Wardman Fellow & Research Intern | BIOS and Eckerd College |
EDUCATION
| Date | Position | Affiliation | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present | PhD in Evolution and Marine Biology | University of Rhode Island | Dissertation - In Development |
| 2020 | MSc in Biology | California State University, Northridge (CSUN) | Thesis - The influence of nutrient and sediment loading on multiple facets of coral functionality in branching coral species |
| 2016 | BSc | Eckerd College | Major- Marine Science |
| 2012-2013 | NA | University of Wisconsin, Whitewater | Major - Marine Biology |
PUBLICATIONS
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Becker, D. M., Putnam H.M., Burkepile D.E., Adam T.C., Vega Thurber R., and Silbiger N.J. (in review) Chronic low-level nutrient enrichment benefits coral thermal performance in a fore reef habitat. Coral Reefs.
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Becker, D. M., Silbiger, N. J. 2020. Nutrient and sediment loading affect multiple facets of coral functionality in a tropical branching coral, Journal of Experimental Biology.
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Goodbody-Gringley, G., Wong, K.H., Becker, D.M., Glennon, K., and de Putron, S.J. 2018. Recruitment potential of the brooding coral, Porites astreoides, increases from shallow to mesophotic zones, Coral Reefs, 37:483–494
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van Ginkel, C., Becker, D.M., Gowans, S. and Simard, P. 2017. Whistling in a noisy ocean: bottlenose dolphins adjust whistle frequencies in response to real-time ambient noise levels, Bioacoustics, 27:391–405
RESEARCH GRANTS & AWARDS
2020 URI, Office of the Provost, the Vice President of Research and Economic Development, and the Dean of the Graduate School Enhancement of Graduate Research Award ($1,000)
2020 CSUN, Department of Biology Donald E. Bianchi Outstanding Graduate Research Award ($400)
2019 CSUN, Scholarship Department Mabel Wilson Richards Scholarship ($2,500)
2019 CSUN, Research and Graduate Studies Travel Award ($500) March 2020
2019 CSUN, Research and Graduate Studies Travel Award ($500)
2019 CSUN, College of Science and Mathematics Graduate Promise in Research Fellowship ($5,000)
2019 CSUN, College of Science and Mathematics Leslie and Terry Cutler Scholarship ($2,000)
2019 CSUN, Research and Graduate Studies Robert H. Schiffman Memorial Award for Outstanding Research Promise ($750)
2019 National Science Foundation (NSF), Graduate Research Fellowship Program ($34,000 x 3 annually)
2019 CSUN, Office of Graduate Studies Thesis/Dissertation Support Program ($900)
2018 American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), Masters Research Scholarship ($1,500)
2018 CSUN, Office of Graduate Studies Graduate Equity Fellowship ($3,000)
2018 CSUN, Associated Students Scholarship ($2,000)
2018 CSUN, Office of Graduate Studies Out of State Fees Waiver ($3,000)
2018 CSUN, Department of Biology Tuition Waiver ($7,300 annually)
2017 BIOS, University Programs Scholarship ($2,000)
2016 BIOS & Eckerd College, Galbraith/Wardman Fellowship ($2,000)
2011-2012 Eckerd College, Trustee Academic Scholarship ($10,000 annually) 2014-2016
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Becker, D.M.* 2020. The influence of nutrient and sediment loading on multiple facets of coral functionality in branching coral species. Thesis Defense; May 13th, 2020 [oral].
Becker, D.M.*, Silbiger, N.J., 2019. Investigating the influence of nutrient enrichment coral thermal performance in a branching coral species. CSUNposium (24th Annual Student Research and Creative Works Symposium) [oral].
Becker, D.M., Silbiger, N.J., 2019. Investigating the effects of nutrient and sediment loading on coral thermal tolerance in a branching coral species, *Pocillopora acuta. 2020 Ocean Sciences Meeting [poster].
Becker, D.M.*, Silbiger, N.J., 2019. Investigating the effects of nutrient and sediment loading on coral thermal tolerance in a branching coral species. Moorea Coral Reef Long-term Ecological Research (MCR LTER) All Investigators Meeting [oral].
Becker, D.M.*, Silbiger, N.J., 2019. Investigating the effects of nutrient and sediment loading on coral thermal tolerance in a branching coral species. Western Society of Naturalists Annual Meeting [oral].
Becker, D.M.*, Silbiger, N.J., 2019. Investigating the effects of land-based pollution on coral thermal tolerance in a branching coral species, Pocillopora acuta. CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and Technology (COAST) Annual Meeting, Lightning Talk [oral].
Becker, D.M.*, Silbiger, N.J., 2019. Investigating the effects of land-based pollution on coral thermal tolerance in a branching coral species, Pocillopora acuta. CSUNposium (23rd Annual Student Research and Creative Works Symposium) [poster].
Becker, D.M.*, Simard, P. 2016. Whistling in a noisy ocean: bottlenose dolphins adjust whistle frequencies in response to real-time ambient noise levels. Eckerd College Scientific Research Symposium. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL [poster and oral]
Becker, D.M.*, Barry, M., and Goldstein, N. 2016. Examining the abundance of microplastics in sediment within Tampa Bay. Chemical and Physical Oceanography Research Symposium. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL [poster and oral]
Goodbody-Gringley, G.*, Wong, K.H., Becker, D.M., Glennon, K., and de Putron, S. 2017. Reproductive ecology and early life history traits of the brooding coral, Porites astreoides, from shallow to mesophotic zones. European Coral Reef Symposium, Oxford, England [oral]
MENTORING
2019 Maria Martone, Undergraduate at CSUN
2019 Julio Rosales, Undergraduate at CSUN
2018 Amy Amatya, Undergraduate at Princeton University, BIOS
2017 Hallie Repeta, Undergraduate at Roger Williams University, BIOS
2017 Sydney Smith, Undergraduate at the University of Rhode Island, BIOS
2017 Sydney Guertin, Undergraduate at Roger Williams University, BIOS
2017 Evan Ernst, Undergraduate at the University of Rhode Island, BIOS
2017 Elizabeth Molnar, Undergraduate at the University of Rhode Island, BIOS
2017 Amelia Bianchi, Undergraduate at Roger Williams University, BIOS
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
American Academy of Underwater Sciences, American Geophysical Union, International Coral Reef Society, Research Coordinated Network for Evolution in Changing Seas, URI Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS), Southern California Academy of Sciences, URI Voices of Inclusion in Communities of Education and Science (VOICES), Western Society of Naturalists, Women in STEM (WiSTEM) L.A. Initiative
SKILLS AND TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS
Skills
Proficient in R and Rstudio, GitHub, Raven Software, Ocean Data View (ODV), Image J, Adobe Photoshop 2017, Adobe Illustrator 2020, HOBOware
Qualified Rescue SCUBA diver with > 300 dives
Training Certifications
2019-Present Motorboat Operator Training Course Certification
2019-Present California Boater Safety Certification
2018-Present Divers Alert Network (DAN), First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries Certification
2018-Present DAN, Neurological Assessment Certification
2018-Present American Heart Association, CPR & First Aid
2018-Present American Safety Training Institute, Emergency Oxygen and Bloodborne Pathogens
2017-Present Autoclave Training
2017-Present PADI Enriched Air Diver
2016-2018 Bermuda Lionfish Culling Permit
2016-Present PCR Training
2016-Present AAUS Scientific Diver, certified up to 60 feet
2016-Present PADI Rescue Diver Certification
2015-Present DAN, Guardian Member Insurance
2015-Present PADI Advanced Open Water Scuba Certification
2014-Present PADI Open Water Scuba Certification
2008-Present U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Certification
Professional Service
Open Science and Community Resources
Journal Reviewing
Marine Pollution Bulletin
Leadership and Membership
2020-Present Member, VOICES, URI
2020-Present Member, Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS), URI