Photo Credit: Jeff Liang / UCSB
Congratulations
Ranjana Raghavan and Alice Zhong
Analytical Laboratory
Jessie Chamberlain, Kaitlin Crane, James Lopez
Lambert Laboratory
Allen Loomis, Gianna Lucchesi, Sarah Rodriguez, Marine Wloczysiak
The Research Experience & Education Facility (REEF)
Hayden Vega
Ocean Recoveries Laboratory
Thank you to all the incredible students who have poured their energy, passion, and dedication into our laboratories. Thank you for your hard work and unwavering support. We wish you the very best in your next chapters of your lives. Whatever dreams you choose to follow, we have no doubt you’ll achieve amazing things.
Analytical Laboratory
The MSI Analytical Laboratory is a facility established in 1977 that performs chemical analysis in support of the research community.
Ranjana Raghavan
"I am graduating UCSB this June with a degree in Biological Sciences. For the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of working at the MSI Analytical Lab and it has been an amazing and rewarding position. This position has allowed me to meet such kind, knowledgeable and passionate people and has introduced me to the incredible variety of marine research."
"I am grateful to Ken Marchus for being a wonderful mentor through my time here and for creating such a warm and welcome lab environment. Working in this lab has shown me that technical lab work can be both enjoyable and fulfilling, and it has inspired me to pursue more lab-based roles after graduation. I will truly miss this chapter but I am excited to carry these experiences as I apply to PHD programs next year in ecology and conservation genetics."
Alice Zhong
"I have been honored to have the opportunity to work at the Analytical Lab for the last three years. It has been such a huge part of my undergraduate degree and has given me hands-on experience prepping samples and running instruments, which I never would have gotten to do in any class."
"I've learned so much about the details and inner workings of these instruments, helping me understand more about chemistry and data analysis. I am so glad and lucky to have had this experience and I hope other undergraduates can have the same opportunity as well!"
From Ken Marchus, AnaLab manager: "Our undergrad lab technicians, Ranjana and Alice, provide a tremendous amount of support for the Analytical Lab and these two students in particular have been outstanding. I have worked with and mentored these two for several years now and this has been such a rewarding and enjoyable part of my job in the lab. Watching them develop their skills and grow as future researchers has been awesome to say the least. I can't thank them enough for all their hard work and dedication in the lab and I look forward to what the future holds for these two."
Lambert Lab
The Lambert Lab is dedicated to understanding the impacts of non-native species in riparian and aquatic ecosystems, developing methods for their management, and restoring native biodiversity and ecosystem function in western riparian habitats.
Jesse Chamberlain
Jesse graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Science Communication.
She has worked in the Lambert Lab since Summer 2023 (2 years).
Jesse’s research focus has centered on enhancing pollinator services in agricultural landscapes along a major river system in Southern California. She has taken a leadership role in the laboratory analysis of bee specimens collected from 20 research sites, managing tasks such as sorting, curation, and identification of over 30 bee species.
In addition to her lab work, Jessie actively participated in field collections using pan traps, sticky traps, and square quadrants to monitor pollinator and plant activity across diverse habitats. Beyond her scientific contributions, Jessie managed the project database and plays a key role in mentoring and supervising fellow undergraduate researchers involved in the project.
"Working for Adam has been one of the best experiences!! I will miss the lab and the bees, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such an amazing team.”
Jesse has recently been accepted into a premedical post-baccalaureate program at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). She will be working and studying for the MCAT as she prepares for the next step in her journey—medical school.
Kaitlin Crane
Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolution.
She has worked in the Lambert Lab since Summer 2024.
Kaitlin’s work has focused on ecological restoration along the Santa Clara River, exploring how restoration efforts support native bee populations and promote the propagation of native plants. Her contributions have combined hands-on fieldwork with ecological research, helping to advance restoration practices that strengthen local biodiversity.
Following graduation, Kaitlin will continue her research with Adam Lambert’s lab, deepening her involvement in restoration ecology and pollinator conservation.
Fun fact: Katie has been skateboarding for as long as she’s been walking!
James Lopez
James graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolution.
They have worked in the Lambert Lab since Spring 2024 (1 year 3 months).
James has been investigating the population genetics of sycamore trees (Platanus spp.) as part of a broader effort to support ecological restoration along the California coast. The work aims to inform and support coastal restoration efforts by identifying locally adapted, genetically appropriate sycamore trees for reforestation and habitat recovery.
James will continue his research in Adam Lambert’s lab following graduation, building on her work in restoration genetics and applied conservation biology.
Fun fact: James will be learning to sail this summer.
The REEF
The REEF is UCSB’s teaching aquarium. Equipped with state-of-the-art touch tanks and aquaria, it provides an “Ocean View of the World” for students in Southern California and beyond.
Sophia Cabral
Sophia graduated in the Winter quarter with a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Biology.
She has worked at The REEF since 2022 (3 years) as Special Systems & Shark Aquarist.
“I joined the REEF my winter quarter of my first year at UCSB, and I am so incredibly grateful to have met such wonderful people here! Thank you to everyone for creating such fun memories with me at the REEF.”
“REEF Special Systems and Shark Aquarist. So proud of you! What a force to be reckoned with! You will certainly be writing your own ticket to your next destination! I could go on and on about ALL that you’ve done for the REEF. As both, an aquarist, and an informal science educator. Photographer, REEFluencer, and on, and on. In short, you are one BadAss Tinker Fairy!”
—Scott Simon, The REEF Director
Future plans: Taking what she’s learned at the REEF and applying it to future positions, such as working as a research technician at the Hofmann Laboratory this summer.
Left to right: Marine, Sophia, and Gianna
Allen Loomis
Allen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.
He has worked at The REEF since 2021 (4 years) as Special Systems Aquarist.
“Working at The REEF taught me what it means to be a tinker fairy. Someone who thinks critically and can come up with creative solutions to problems. I'm so stoked to have become a force to be reckoned with after 4 years at The REEF.”
"As is typical with REEFers, Allen has worn MANY hats at the REEF! From Informal Science Educator, to Program Lead, and Special Systems Aquarist, Allen has been a vital asset at the REEF! While formidable in so many ways, Mr. Loomis’ most valuable skill has been his sense of humor. Whether working with the Next Gen K-12 visitors to the REEF, training the Next Gen REEFers, helping coordinate programs or tweeking on the tanks, he has managed to inject humor into all of it-Go Make Money, Raw-Raw!!”
—Scott Simon, The REEF Director
Future plans: Becoming a professional engineer and enjoying life.
Gianna Lucchesi
Gianna graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies.
She has worked at The REEF since 2022 (3 years) as Lead and Abalone Aquarist.
“Working at The REEF has been a lot of fun! I like learning and its been super great learning from so many cool people! I also enjoy getting wet so it’s definitely been a blast hanging out with the fishies."
“AB-solutely, THEE MOST chill Lead, and Abalone, Aquarist I’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past 20 years at the REEF, Gianna has been an outstanding example of undergraduate leadership during her time here. She has been an incredible asset to the entire team of aquarists and informal science educators. A pharmacology major, Gianna will definitely go far as a UCSB graduate-Go G!”
—Scott Simon, The REEF Director
Future plans: Taking a gap year or two before going back to school.
Sarah Rodriguez
Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a minor in Spanish.
She started working at The REEF in 2025 as Informal Science Educator.
“Although my time at The REEF wasn’t very long, it was nothing short of great. I loved coming into The REEF to work alongside my lovely fellow REEFers who all shared a passion for marine life. My time as a docent has been fulfilling and I am so glad I got to expand my passion for marine based education and community outreach through this wonderful facility. I will truly miss this place after I graduate.”
“Ah, Sarah! While Sarah joined the REEF late in her academic career, she brought a skill set with her that has been a HUGE asset! A “natural” REEFer, Sarah stepped in and took charge as an Informal Science Educator. And, while she didn’t have much experience on the technical side of the REEF, she dove in, head first, in assisting the aquarists and proved to be an invaluable asset. I feel like any time there was a need for an assistant aquarist, or an Informal Science Educator, there was Sarah! Go ROCK the World!”
—Scott Simon, The REEF Director
Future plans: Taking a year or two off to get some real-world experience in her career field and save up for grad school. She's hoping to pursue a master’s degree—maybe even a PhD—in Marine Biology. The long-term goal is to move back to her hometown and give back to the community by helping more underserved and Spanish-speaking folks get involved in STEM and marine education. Who knows—you might just see her working in the education department at the Aquarium of the Pacific one day!
Marine Wloczysiak
Marine graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Biology.
She has worked at The REEF since 2022 as Tropical Aquarist.
“The REEF has been an important part of my college career. I started working there my freshman year and have gotten the chance to work with so many incredible fellow undergrads that support and care for each other! Thank you to all who made The REEF a special place!”
“Now, a force to be reckoned with, Marine’s time at the REEF began in 2022. While they began in a somewhat quiet manner, Marine has ALWAYS been incredibly inquisitive and took to the program like a fish does to water. They have ascended thru the ranks to become the Tropical Aquarist. It has been a pleasure mentoring Marine and seeing them grow into a skilled and adept aquarist-caring for the animals and becoming adept at the technical skills associated with the position-Go Scuff n Buff!”
—Scott Simon, The REEF Director
Future plans: Pursuing a Master's degree in Biological Oceanography and Marine Ecology at Aix-Marseille University in France. Marine is very excited about the experiences and opportunities this next chapter will bring.
Ocean Recoveries (Stier Lab)
The Ocean Recoveries Lab examines how ocean ecosystems recover from disturbances and how sustainable management strategies can strengthen their resilience in the context of global change.
Hayden Vega
Hayden graduated with a Bachelor of Science triple majoring in Marine Science, Environmental Science, and Ecology and Evolution.
He has worked as undergraduate researcher in the UCSB Ocean Recoveries Lab (Stier Lab), investigating the relationship between functional traits, preservation, and ecosystem functions in kelp forest macroalgae.
"He [Dr. Adrian Stier] has given me the opportunity to experience marine science and the freedom to explore some of the scientific questions that keep me up at night."
On campus, Vega found a strong sense of community through programs like FUERTE, Bentson Scholars, and onBOARD, which support underrepresented students in research. These programs have cultivated a community of some of the most wickedly smart and joyful people he had encountered at UCSB.
A special shout-out to his scientific diving instructor, Eric Hessell, for sharing a piece of advice that resonated far beyond their dives: 'Remember to breathe.' That simple reminder, he said, has helped him stay grounded and focused during stressful moments.
Future plans: Returning to French Polynesia to continue his research and apply to Ph.D. programs in marine science. In five years, he hopes to be deep into his doctoral studies, exploring the relationships between people and the sea — possibly while swimming with sharks.