Ashley McKenzie
- (She/her/hers)
- Lab Manager, Brooks Lab
Antarctica • Marine science • Stable isotope ecology
My primary professional aspiration is to contribute to the preservation and conservation of terrestrial and marine ecosystems globally.
In the Brooks Lab, our team is researching the life history and connectivity of Antarctic toothfish, a highly prized fish species endemic to waters of Antarctica. My role involves synthesizing incoming data from fisheries and research activities, collaboration with invested parties in the conservation and management of toothfish stocks, management of lab activities, and development and execution of project objectives.
Through my research activities as a student, I realized my aptitude for analytical instrumentation and seized the opportunity to learn atomic absorption spectrophotometry, isotope ratio mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-isotope mass spectrometry.
Through my work at CU Boulder, I’ve been challenged with the task to further develop my analytical skills and will soon be adding expertise in estimating age and growth of fish and trace element and stable isotope analyses via laser ablation instrumentation to the list. Exciting stuff on the horizon!
Education
- PhD (Biology and Marine Biology): University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2021
- BS (Environmental Studies): University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2016
- BS (Biology): University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2016