Course Title: Beneath the Surface:
Concepts in Biological Oceanography
Department: Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Email: mstukel@ucsd.edu

Education

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
Ph.D. Program – Biological Oceanography
Focusing on biological controls of carbon export from the upper ocean. Entered September 2004

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Bachelor of Arts, June 2004
Double Major: Integrated Science and Biology (Evolutionary Track)

Experience

Summer 2007 – Academic Connections (UCSD) –
Co-designed and co-taught a three-week biological oceanography course for advanced high shool students

Summer 2006 – Academic Connections (UCSD) –
Co-designed and co-taught a three-week biological oceanography course for advanced high shool students

Summer 2005 – Aquatic Adventures –
Helped teach 2-week marine biology course for underprivileged youth in San Diego

Spring 2003 - Served as Mentor to High School Student – Taught Lab Techniques and Purpose of Research

2002 - Undergraduate Independent Research Project, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, Fall 2002 - present
Studied bacterial photosynthesis and membrane biochemistry under guidance of Professor Paul Loach
Hypothesized from genetic code the existence of an integral membrane protein that is highly conserved between two species of photosynthetic bacteria, then used various purification techniques to find and isolate this protein. Performed several types of assays to characterize the protein and attempt to discover its purpose in the cell.

1999-2000 - Inquiry with Dr. Leon Lederman to write Portraits of Modern Scientists (published 2001)
Designed for use in middle school classrooms to increase interest in science

1999-2000 - Served as peer mentor in math and science

1999 - Student Rep. in Development of IMSA's new Science Program

Honors/Affiliations/Publications

2004 - NSF Graduate Fellowship
2004 - Recipient of Henry L. & Grace Doherty Fellowship for First Year Students at SIO
2002-2004 - Captain of Northwestern’s Ultimate Frisbee Team
2003 - Ultimate Players Association Sectional Coordinator for Illinois and Indiana
2002-2004 - Dean’s List at Northwestern - Fall, Winter, & Spring Quarters – Both Years
2001 - Recipient of Vanderblue Sigma Nu Scholarship for talented freshmen
2000-2001 - Dean’s List at Northwestern - Fall & Spring Quarters
2000 - National Merit Semi-Finalist