Magneto- and chemostratigraphic correlation underpins much of our understanding of Earth history, yet typical correlation techniques are neither quantitative nor objective. Within this dissertation, I detail my efforts to develop and apply dynamic programming-based algorithms that accomplish optimal and reproducible stratigraphic alignment. I apply these algorithms to three geologic intervals:...
The release of marine debris into the oceans and seas is a global issue of growing concern. These materials are harmful to marine environments and can also transport non-native species to novel habitats. Non-native species floating on marine litter is one of the lesser known impacts associated with marine debris....
Early life stages of many marine and diadromous fish species use sandy beach surf zones, which occur along >50% of the world's marine coastlines. This extensive habitat can provide juvenile fishes with an abundant supply of potential prey and the ability to hide from predators in its shallow turbid waters....
Recent research conducted throughout the Northern California Current (NCC) on the ecology of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) indicates that variable ocean conditions affect the community composition of zooplankton in the nearshore environment which, in turn, can affect the quality of prey for fish, sea birds and mammals. Interannual variability in...
Changes in the stable carbon isotope composition of carbonate rocks (𝛿13Ccarb) are used to establish the relative temporal framework for geological events, such as evolutionary extinction or radiation, between two or more locations. As every local stratigraphic record is intermittent, aligning 𝛿13Ccarb records from two or more locations, a process...
Glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) alters the amplitude and timing of ‘glacioeustatic’ sea level maxima and minima around the globe. No study has examined the intrinsic distance that one can correlate marine stratigraphic records of glacial–interglacial sedimentation across continental shelves subject to varying amounts of GIA. Here, we seek to model...
Sexual health is an important part of quality of life for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), but a cancer diagnosis and treatment can have severe physical and psychosocial consequences on this aspect of health. Despite the frequency and distressing nature of sexual health concerns among AYA cancer survivors, sexual health...
The prevalence of sexual violence among the college student population has become a significant public health issue. The real magnitude of the problem is unknown since most students do not report incidents of sexual violence. However, some studies have estimated that 1 in 5 students experience sexual violence while in...
The mechanisms of mortality during critical life stages of fish are not well-understood and, for many species, it is not clear if the mechanisms are similar for naturally and artificially propagated individuals. For Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), natural fish potentially face negative interactions, such as competition, and survival disadvantages, such...
Olympia oysters, “Ostrea conchaphila,” were once common along the west coast of North America. A popular delicacy, native oyster populations began to decline in the late 1800’s due to over‐harvest, degraded water quality, and habitat loss. Interest in re‐establishing the native oyster in a small Oregon estuary, Netarts Bay, culminated...