Jami Clayton

My name is Jami Clayton and I’m a 4th-year marine biology undergraduate. Growing up on the Central Coast of California, spending a lot of time at the beach and surfing, as well as being naturally curious is what pushed me in the direction of marine biology. After I graduate from UC Santa Cruz, I plan to enter the workforce for a year to gain more valuable skills and knowledge before applying to graduate school for marine science. As of right now, I am interested in community ecology and biodiversity and how these domains are impacted by the human-induced rapidly changing environment, as protecting and preserving our oceans is my aim.

This summer I’ll be working with NOAA-NMFS Postdoctoral scholar Joe Bizzarro on a project investigating the ecology of the Starry Skate. My goals for the summer include gaining skills in marine science, programming, and data collection and analysis while working with a world-renowned research organization. Additionally, this internship will be a great way for me to network and build relationships with peers, project leaders, and other researchers in my field, as well as build my CV and make me a more competitive applicant for graduate school, and will help further my goals in my academic and career endeavors in marine research.