I use theory, experiments, and observational studies to understand the causes and consequences of changing biodiversity in the modern era.

**Congratulations to Brad, who recently won the prestigious 2009 Plous Memorial Award - one of UCSB's two highest faculty honors.**

My research focuses on how changing the number of species in a marine ecosystem alters its function. I am particularly interested in feedbacks between the causes and consequences of biodiversity in kelp forests.

I combine field, laboratory, and modeling studies to examine how changes in biodiversity and habitat alteration impact the productivity, trophic structure, and species composition of natural ecosystems .

**Congratulations to Carolyn who just accepted a faculty position at UC-San Diego!

My research focuses on how diverse aquatic communities simultaneously affect and are affected by anthropogenic chemicals, in particular, engineered nanoparticles.

I use observational and experimental methods to understand what controls over carbon flow in streams and rivers. I am particularly interested in how these flows impact the recruitment and survivorship of fish species that have evolved different life history strategies.

I am interested in factors that influence assembly, disassembly (biodiversity loss) and restoration success in natural aquatic communities that are impacted by human activities.

I not only keep the lab running smoothly, I also manage our experiments that examine how nanoparticles impact freshwater environments.

Undergraduates in the lab conduct independent studies and provide assistance for ongoing projects, all mentored by the PI, postdocs and graduate students.

**Congratulations to Kristin Matulich for winning the 2009 Dean Brazzi Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, and to Braden Lewis for winning a Worster Award to support his summer research.**