Hi! My name is Annie Ehm, and I am a junior at Marin Academy. I have always had a love for marine science, specifically for pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses). Through the MARC program, I have been able to combine this love with a more recent interest in pathology and disease ecology by researching Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza dynamics in the sub- Antarctic ecosystem, which has experienced mass mortality events in both marine mammal and bird populations from Fall 2023 to present. I hope that my research in the MARC program can increase understanding of H5N1 HPAI disease dynamics to assist the development of intervention methods for future H5N1 HPAI outbreaks in marine mammals.
Outside of academics, I lead the Women+ in STEM club, am on the Conference on Democracy Planning Committee, and write for the 1600 occasionally. When I am not at MA, I train in ballet and contemporary at Stapleton School of the Performing Arts, and in the summers, I train at various summer ballet programs across the country. I am passionate about volunteering, and completed The Marine Mammal Center's Youth Crew program last year, and have continued to volunteer weekly on an Animal Care crew where I assist in the rehabilitation of sick and injured seals and sea lions.