About Me
Anya Štajner is a 5th year PhD candidate in the Biological Oceanography program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She completed her undergraduate’s degree at the University of California, Davis where she studied Marine and Coastal Sciences with an Emphasis in Organismal Biology and Ecology.
Anya studies zooplankton ecology focusing on pteropods (aka "sea butterflies) in the Southern California Current System as bioindicators for ocean acidification. Additionally, she is a co-coordinator and tour guide for Scripps Community Outreach for Public Education (SCOPE) and enjoys posting on her science-focused instagram account (@PlanktonPrincess).
Broadly, I study zooplankton ecology, but my niche of expertise is developing bioindicators to monitor global change. Specifically, I study pteropods -- commonly known as "sea butterflies" -- and their potential as biological indicators for ocean acidification. To do this I use a multi-pronged approach that includes classic ecology, molecular methods, and high resolution imagery performed on a scanning electron microscope.
The overarching goal of my thesis research is to serve people, plankton, and the planet!