Deana Crouser
Navigating Change: From Microscopic Plankton to Majestic North Pacific Right Whales
About the Speaker
Deana Crouser is a contracted Zooplankton Ecologist with Lynker Technologies, supporting NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, WA. She specializes in zooplankton imaging using AI and machine learning. Her current research focuses on the effects of global warming on long-term changes in copepod size in the Bering Sea. Originally from Miami, Florida, Deana moved to the Pacific Northwest seeking a new beginning. Initially uncertain about her path in Chemical Engineering, she took a chance on a National Science Foundation Internship. There, she researched the effects of low oxygen concentrations on zooplankton in Puget Sound. It was during this internship that she found her footing in the world of science and developed a passion for advocating for “the little guys.” She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biological Oceanography from the University of Washington in 2019. Deana is also a proud American Fisheries Society Climate Ambassador. Over two years, she participated in this science communication program, honing her skills to address the impacts of climate change on aquatic environments. Making science accessible is extremely important to Deana. She loves speaking about her ecosystem and is thrilled to share her perspective on this year’s theme, “Shifting Boundaries, New Horizons.”
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