All My Bags Are Packed (And So Are My Parents')

Don't worry, though. It's not time to go just yet. This week at the lab I did finish washing and discarding all of my sediment residues, a process I convinced myself would take weeks. Nearly 800 containers of mud will now get a new home wherever the Department of Environmental Health and Safety decides is appropriate. This cleaning phase is important, as I've alluded to, because my research samples are housed in an air conditioned storage unit that is shared by all the researchers at the marine lab. These residues are therefore using space that could hold other research gear and samples so I'm hoping with their departure, other researchers can think bigger about their sampling possibilities. Importantly, though, I have only disposed of the residues. The macrofauna organisms and the remaining meiofauna still remain in conditioned storage to support ongoing and future research plans, especially regarding the environmental health and status of the St. Andrew Bay estuary, where I've conducted my dissertation. But for now, I say goodbye to our portable washing station, pictured here, that I believe could be sold or the design plans to which could be sold for a good amount of money. It's a brilliant, minimally intrusive, sink with spray nozzle attachments and extendable tables for sample washing and processing.

This week for class, the students explored the different habitats we have at the marine lab. We walked in the mud, in the water, on the dry sand, and explored the docks, all the while making observations about the marine life and its behaviors. Highlights of the day included a horseshoe crab skeleton, lots of stone crabs that displayed fun behaviors, and a plethora of sea squirts, which look like slimy smaller russet potatoes grouped together. In two weeks the students will start designing their experiments and running pilot studies to test methods and the feasibility of their ideas, so today was an opportunity to see what life is like at the marine lab and what different features of the lab may be worth exploring.

Finally, I officially scheduled my dissertation defense, which represents my final evaluation at Florida State, and why my parents are packing their bags to come visit. The defense is a research seminar where I will present my findings, field questions, and make the case for why my work is relevant to a broad scientific audience. My entire committee will receive a copy of my written dissertation in about a week, marking one month until my defense, and they will read through each section to both understand everything I've accomplished and give feedback and to generate points of inquiry for the defense. At my defense, my committee will have a separate session from the general audience in which to question my work, my methods, and to have me explain my thoughts regarding aspects of my work and potentially its value to the scientific community. Over the next month I will be practicing my research seminar, editing the seminar for content and ease of memorization (because I'll definitely forget things if I make it too complex), and editing my dissertation based on written feedback I receive prior to my defense.

Next week will likely be a shorter update, as we are not in the field with students and I'm not sure what my own plans are, but stay tuned to find out! 

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