Research

Summary of Research Experience

Graduate Research:

In Dr. Dietmar Kültz's lab, I study phenotypic responses of the invasive ascidian Botryllus schlosseri to acute and chronic transgenerational hyposalinity stress. This research, if successful, will shed light on the mechanisms of Stress-Induced Evolution. Funded by the National Science Foundation Grant# NSF-MCB 2127516 Somatic cell adaptation towards immortalization in a marine tunicate.

Undergraduate Independent Research:

My recent research project under Liz Alter's Marine Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics Lab at CSUMB focused on determining the evolutionary history of the African freshwater fish genus Chelaethiops through gene sequence analysis to identify potentially unknown cryptic lineages.
In the Spring of 2022, I served as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Jenny Duggan’s Terrestrial Wildlife Ecology Lab through the CSUMB UROC Researcher program. I helped monitor amphibian habitat preferences along the Fort Ord National Monument and the UCSC Fort Ord Natural Reserve.
In the Winter of 2020 to the Fall of 2021, I surveyed women throughout California to explore the relationship between climate change concerns and their intention to have children. I was given the opportunity to conduct this research project as a CSUMB UROC Koret Scholar, in partnership with Regeneración Pájaro Valley Climate Action, under the guidance of my primary investigator, Dr. Victoria Derr.

Undergraduate Course-Based Research:

In the Fall of 2022, I participated in a group research project on avian diversity in Moss Landing as part of my Quantitative Field Methods course.
In the Spring of 2022, I engaged in two research-based courses in which I was able to determine the effects of surface rugosity on the abundance of Tegula funebralis in Monterey intertidal zones, and assess amphibian richness and proximity to lakes within areas of conservation in California using ArcGISPro software.
I have also had some prior experience with analyzing data, interpreting data, and co-writing a summary report in a Geology/Hydrology research-based course in the Spring of 2021. This project consisted of determining the safety of La Playa Townhome residents in Monterey, California using coastal tide and swell data.

[Below, I have included my projects for which I have slides or a poster for. See my CV for the complete list of research experiences I have done!]

UROC - most recent

Uncovering the evolutionary history of the genus Chelaethiops

Mentor: Liz Alter Ph.D., Dept. Biology & ChemistryProject members: Monica Urias, Zachary Vayder, & Anastasia SwannFall 2022 - Spring 2023

The African tropics represent a global hotspot of freshwater biodiversity, but phylogenetic patterns remain poorly known in many taxa, including fish in the genus Chelaethiops (Family: Cyprinidae). The goal of this project is to investigate evolutionary relationships within this genus, with particular attention to a proposed new species, C. luluae. This taxon has only been described from morphological differences, and our study represents the first investigation of genetic differentiation between C. luluae and other lineages. Prior work analyzing the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene showed a strong disconnect between putative species IDs based on morphology versus genetic relationships. We also observed consistent clustering corresponding to geographic location. Several samples showed strong genetic divergence from known (sequenced) species. One sample did not match any species previously sequenced, and may represent a new species. These results call into question how Chelaethiops species are currently defined, and if there may be more species than currently known. To better understand these patterns and inconsistencies, we are amplifying, sequencing, and analyzing the following nuclear and mitochondrial genes: Cytochrome b, Rhodopsin, and RAG1. All three of these genes have sequences from previous studies on GenBank that can also be used in our analyses. Through these genes we hope to gain a better understanding of the plasticity and genetic relationships in this genus, and any history of hybridization between Chelaethiops species.

2023 Chelaethiops Fish Evolutionary Genetics Poster .pdf

ENVS 350 Quantitative Field Methods (CURE) - Fall 2022

Avian Diversity Project

Mentor: Robert Burton Ph.D., Dept. Applied Environmental ScienceFall 2022

Avian Diversity - Poster Presentation.pdf

BIO340 Ecology (CURE) - Spring 2022

Ecosystem Project

Mentor: Gerick Bergsma Ph.D., Dept. Biology & ChemistrySpring 2022

EcosystemProject_BIO340_RockyIntertidal (1).pdf

UROC - Spring 2022

Monitoring habitat preference of local amphibians along trails in the Fort Ord National Monument and the UCSC Fort Ord Reserve

Monica Urias, Josh Beasley, Jennifer Duggan
Applied Environmental Science, California State University, Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA
Spring 2022

In order to understand habitat preferences for amphibians in the Monterey Bay area, we conducted observational night surveys of these nocturnal animals in the Fort Ord National Monument (FONM) during March and April of 2022. Sites were evenly distributed across habitat types (Oak Woodland, Coastal Scrub, and Annual Grassland) and varied in distance from ponds (i.e., amphibian breeding habitat). During surveys, we documented each amphibian sighting with a GPS point and photo. The FONM points were combined with data obtained from iNaturalist (iNat). Additionally, we collected data on amphibian sightings at the UCSC Fort Ord Natural Reserve (UC FONR) using iNat and previous students' identifications of amphibians in the reserve. We used GIS software to create a map illustrating the locations of all amphibian sightings, as well as the habitat type in which each occurred. Last, we tested if the frequency of amphibian sightings varied significantly across habitat types. An improved understanding of habitat preferences for local amphibians will be useful for determining areas where habitat connectivity is critical for both least-concern and special-status species in the Monterey Bay area of California.

I just presented this research as a poster at the 2022 Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) conference in Puerto Rico!

UriasM_SACNASPoster.pdf

Koret Scholar - Spring/Fall 2021

The relationship between climate change concerns and women’s intention to have children

Monica Urias¹, Dr. Victoria Derr¹, & Dr. Steven Kim²
¹Applied Environmental Science, California State University, Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA²Mathematics and Statistics, California State University, Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA
Winter 2020-Fall 2021

My most recent research project aims to explore women’s perspectives, feelings, and plans on becoming a parent by adoption, foster parenting, or partnership while considering the impacts of climate change. Current studies are considering the impacts of climate change on mental health, but the implications of women’s climate concerns or ecological grief on their interest in reproduction, fostering, or adoption have not yet been considered. An electronic survey was used in hopes of targeting residents of the Pájaro Valley, although other women across California also participated. The project focuses on the women of ages 18-35 to explore women’s intention to have children. We used descriptive statistics and comparative analysis to examine the relationship between level of concern for climate change as compared to the number of intended children. Generally, this pilot study indicates that climate change concern is high and may be chronically contributing to women’s well-being, their thinking, intentions, and ability to plan their future. Concurrent challenges such as COVID-19, racial tension, and wildfires in California may have influenced women’s responses. Future research is warranted to explore manifestations of ecological grief as applied to intentions to have children across a variety of life and maternity stages.

Here is a link to the blog I wrote discussing more about this project that includes a personal reflection (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Research Presentation - Women, Children, & Climate Change

Oral Presentations

Summer Research Symposium

Urias, M., Derr, V., Kim, S. (2021). The relationship between climate change concerns and women’s intention to have children. CSUMB Summer Research Symposium (Virtual), Seaside, CA: California State University, Monterey Bay.

Research, Scholarship, & Creative Activity Spring Showcase

Urias, M., & Derr, V. (2021). Women, Children, & Sustainability: How climate change and global sustainability affect women's beliefs, feelings, and concerns about their participation in raising children. CSUMB Virtual Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Spring Showcase, Seaside, CA: California State University, Monterey Bay.

Climate of Hope Forum 2021

Urias, M., & Derr, V. (2021). Women, Children, & Sustainability: How climate change and global sustainability affect women's beliefs, feelings, and concerns about their participation in raising children. Regeneración’s Climate of Hope 2021 Forum (Virtual), Seaside, CA: California State University, Monterey Bay.

Soroptimist Watsonville Sip n Learn w/ Regeneración Pajaro Valley

Urias, M., & Derr, V. (2021). Women, Children, & Sustainability: How climate change and global sustainability affect women's beliefs, feelings, and concerns about their participation in raising children. Soroptimist Watsonville Sip n Learn w/ Regeneración Pajaro Valley (Virtual), Watsonville, CA. https://www.facebook.com/events/1743944205797318/

Professional Development & Research Training

CITI Trainings

Animal Care and Use: Wildlife Research - Basic

Completion Date: Feb 4, 2022 (Online)
Description: 5 modules (~40 minutes each) covering topics related to permits, conducting field research, and recognizing and managing pain in wildlife.
Relevant skills/Knowledge: Appropriate use of animals in research | regulatory requirements imposed by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and/or the Public Health Service Policy (PHS Policy)

Animal Care and Use: Working with Animals – General Course

Completion Date: Feb 4, 2022 (Online)
Description: 15 modules (~30 minutes each) covering topics such as working with the IACUC, federal laws & regulations, housing & husbandry, euthanasia, and post-procedure monitoring & care.
Relevant skills/Knowledge: Describe the need for the humane care and use of animal subjects in research, teaching, and testing | discuss the U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training.

Physical Science Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Basic

Completion Date: May 31, 2021 (Online)
Description: 7 modules (~120 minutes each) covering topics such as research misconduct, data management, peer review, and collaborative research.
Relevant skills/Knowledge: Public and private research practice | understanding of consequences related to research misconduct | understanding of proper authorship

Evolution & Ecology Graduate School Preview Program

Population Biology Graduate Group, UC Davis, Davis, CA August 2021 (Virtual)

Description: 5 virtual sessions (90 minutes each) covering topics such as applying to graduate school, funding & grant writing, and navigating graduate programs in ecology or evolution, with 2 additional interactive workshops on learning how to thrive in graduate school.

Relevant skills/Knowledge: Collegiality with graduate student and postdoc mentors | understanding of responsibilities associated with graduate level research | interpersonal communication

Introduction to Research Professional Development Series

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC), CSUMB, Seaside, CA Summer 2021 (Virtual)

Description: 7 workshops (110 minutes each) covering topics such as navigating academic spaces, research ethics, research presentations, abstract writing and the curriculum vitae.

Relevant skills/Knowledge: Oral and written professional communication | public speaking | understanding of academic conventions | networking | collegiality

Community Partnerships

Regeneración Pajaro Valley - Climate Action

Regeneración Pajaro Valley is a community-based organization in Watsonville, CA focused on climate and social justice efforts.

I began volunteering with Regeneración during my Fall semester of 2020 and my participation led to the development of my most recent research project. I received funding from the Koret Foundation through the Koret Scholar Program offered by the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Center (UROC) at CSUMB.