Master's Students

Bria Bleil

Bria Bleil (she/her) is a first-year Master of Science (MS) student focusing on pollutant impacts on intertidal invertebrates. She received her B.S. in Biology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. During her undergraduate studies, she worked on independent research projects examining diet preferences of mangrove tree crabs and freshwater snails which spiked her interest in the ecology of marine invertebrates. Her experiences as a volunteer at a girl's school in Nepal, and as a STEM children's camp instructor have made her passionate about increasing access to education, specifically around environmental issues. Her research interests at PSU are focused on pesticide and herbicide impacts on sea anemones, specifically how it affects their symbiotic relationships and reproduction, as well as decreasing the barrier between communication styles in academia and policy changes. Outside of her academic interests, Bria spends a lot of her time hiking, exploring new places, crocheting and cuddling with her cat.

Email: briab@pdx.edu 

Amanda Gannon

Amanda Gannon is a second year Master of Environmental Management (MEM) student studying public perceptions and attitudes towards microplastics in Oregon. She received her B.S. in Marine Biology from UC San Diego in 2018. During her time at UCSD and after graduation, she worked at Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s Benthic Invertebrate Collection on multiple NSF-funded specimen transfer projects. In 2021, she was selected for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute’s Summer Internship Program to analyze time-lapse photography of deep-sea coral ecosystems. Beyond her love of the ocean, Amanda’s interests include traveling to new places and sharing pictures of her pet cat, Sugar Cookie. 

Corinne Heath

Corinne Heath is a first-year Master of Science (MS) student studying the distribution of microplastics in the human body, as well as the effects of microplastics and chemical contaminants on native and invasive crabs. They graduated from Portland State University in 2018 with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Management. After finishing their undergraduate studies, Corinne worked for the Oregon Zoo and as a field technician for the PSU Center for Lakes and Reservoirs. Corinne’s prior experience as a research assistant solidified their desire to pursue graduate studies in Environmental Science. Their primary interest lies in the intersection of emerging contaminants and marine ecology. Outside of graduate studies, Corinne enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, and spending time on the coast.