This week\u2019s Alumni \u00a0Spotlight shines on Jake Snyder, UMM Class of 2014 with a degree in Marine Biology. Jake lives in Canterbury, Connecticut, and is a research assistant at the University of Connecticut\u2019s Avery Point.<\/p>\n
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Currently, I am a research assistant at UConn Avery Point as part of my masters. \u00a0I was accepted into the graduate program here in the fall of 2015, and I am now working towards my Masters in Biological Oceanography. \u00a0Our lab is small, with myself, a doctoral student, and our advisor, but we\u2019re ambitious. \u00a0Our research is focused on the synergistic effects of ocean acidification, increased temperature, and decreased oxygen on the Atlantic Silverside (Menidia menidia), a near-shore schooling fish. We\u2019ve also recently started working with the Northern Sandlance (Ammodytes dubius), a fish native to Stellwagen Bank. \u00a0In addition to the lab-based research, I am also digitizing the ~40 year data set collected by Project Oceanology, and developing that into a searchable database as part of the LISICOS (Long Island Sound Integrated Coastal Observing System) system.<\/p>\n
At UMM, I learned to take advantage of as many opportunities as you can, within reason. \u00a0You may end up being busier than expected, but I\u2019ve found that if you don\u2019t jump to the occasion when asked, that opportunity will likely not present itself for much longer.<\/p>\n
Study what you\u2019re passionate about outside of class\u2014the classes you take are a great starting point, but if you\u2019re really interested in a specific topic, make it into a project. \u00a0There\u2019s the opportunity to tailor your classes and schedule to your specific interests, and make sure you take advantage of that. \u00a0I was able to formulate a \u201cspecial topics in mariculture\u201d class where I spent the entire semester learning how to rear Arctic Surf Clam (Mactromeris polynyma) larvae.<\/p>\n
UMM prepared me for what I\u2019m doing now by way of two dedicated and passionate professors, Dr. Brian Beal and Dr. Gayle Kraus. \u00a0Dr. Kraus has a way of getting you interested in a topic, even if you aren\u2019t that interested to begin with. \u00a0A perfect example was the ornithology class I took with her; I started the class with little interest in birds, and now I find myself ID\u2019ing birds when out with NOAA on Stellwagen collecting our Sandlance. \u00a0Dr. Beal taught me that, with determination and many hours of studying and hard work, you can accomplish anything. \u00a0I was never much of a math-guy, and now I find myself more interested in statistics and experimental work than I thought possible.<\/p>\n
The confidence and ease I have in social and professional situations are a direct result of my time spent as the Student Representative to the Board of Trustees. \u00a0It was there that I learned the skills of presentation, communication, and professionalism.<\/p>\n
UMM was the place where I learned how interested in fish ecology I am; UMM was the place where I started my photography business; UMM was the place that introduced me to hiking the beautiful coast of Maine. \u00a0I made some really great friends, learned a lot, stayed busy, and graduated with the abilities and knowledge needed to succeed in my graduate career and in life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This week\u2019s Alumni \u00a0Spotlight shines on Jake Snyder, UMM Class of 2014 with a degree in Marine Biology. Jake lives in Canterbury, Connecticut, and is a research assistant at the University of Connecticut\u2019s Avery Point. Tell us a little bit about what you are doing now: Currently, I am a research assistant at UConn […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":431,"featured_media":11944,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,6],"academic-area":[],"umaine-feed":[890],"region":[],"class_list":["post-4096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-news","umaine-feed-marine-alum"],"yoast_head":"\n