Rebecca A Howard

Ph.D. Student in Ocean Ecology & Biogeochemistry

Oregon State University

About Me

I am a Ph.D. student at Oregon State University in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences in the Fisheries Oceanography Lab. I received my master’s in Marine Resource Management at OSU in September 2020 and I am continuing on with my research as a PhD student in Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry. My current research focuses on forecasting the spawning distributions of groundfishes in the Bering Sea using the Bering10K ROMS-NPZ, developing species distribution models for different life stages of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio), and evaluating the use of size-structured models for projecting the distributions of California Current fishes. Some of my research interests include using statistical modeling approaches to understand how populations of marine species respond to changes in ocean conditions over time and space, investigating how different fishery data sources can be used to study commercially important populations, and the connections between science and management.

Interests

Fisheries Management
Climate-biology relationships
Species distribution modeling
Forecasting

Education

Ph.D. in Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry, 2024 Expected
Oregon State University
M.S. in Marine Resource Management, 2020
Oregon State University
B.S. in Aquatic Biology, 2015
University of California, Santa Barbara

Projects

Last updated on Jul 3, 2023

Bering Sea Snow Crab SDMs

I am developing species distribution models for different sexes and stages of snow crab in the Bering Sea.

Last updated on Jul 3, 2023

Distributions of the Early Life Stages of California Current Fishes

I am evaluating how modeling different life stages can help us better understand how species respond to environmental variability.

Last updated on Jul 27, 2023

Forecasting Bering Sea Groundfish Distributions

We are assessing how past and projected climate variability impacts distribution and timing of groundfish spawning in the Bering Sea using the Bering10k ROMS.

Last updated on Nov 14, 2022

Oregon Fishery-Independent and -Dependent Data

We investigated how different data sources can be used for Oregon fisheries management.

Last updated on Nov 2, 2022

Groundfishes and Oceanic Drivers

We looked at how Northern California Current groundfishes are influenced by climate and oceanography.

Publications

Laura Vary, Lauren Rogers, Michael Harte, Rebecca A Howard, Lorenzo Ciannelli (2023). Temperature-dependent spawning behaviour and larval thermohaline associations of Bering Sea groundfish. ICE Journal of Marine Science, fsad113.

Cite DOI

Rebecca A Howard, Lorenzo Ciannelli, W. Waldo Wakefield, Melissa A. Haltuch (2023). Comparing fishery-independent and fishery-dependent data for analysis of the distributions of Oregon shelf groundfishes. Fisheries Research, 258, 106553.

Cite DOI

Rebecca A Howard, Lorenzo Ciannelli, W. Waldo Wakefield, Melanie R. Fewings (2021). The effects of climate, oceanography, and habitat on the distribution and abundance of northern California Current continental shelf groundfishes. Fisheries Oceanography, 30(6).

Cite DOI

Experience

Graduate Research Assistant (Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies)

Oregon State University

Jul 2022 – Present Corvallis, Oregon

Developing updated species distribution models for snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in order to provide short term forecasts. Using machine learning methods to predict distributions of different sexes and sizes.

Graduate Research Assistant (National Science Foundation)

Oregon State University

Oct 2021 – Present Corvallis, Oregon

Using statistical modeling to project future distributions of multiple life stages of California Current fish species. Developing size-aggregated and size-structured species distribution models to evaluate trade-offs in different modeling approaches.

Graduate Research Assistant (North Pacific Research Board)

Oregon State University

Oct 2020 – Sep 2021 Corvallis, Oregon

Hindcasting and forecasting eastern Bering Sea groundfish spawning distributions under future oceanographic conditions using the Bering 10K ROMS-NPZ. Used statistical modeling to hindcast distributions that then informed models used to forecast distributions during different emissions scenarios.

Graduate Research Assistant (Oregon Sea Grant)

Oregon State University

Oct 2018 – Sep 2020 Corvallis, Oregon

Used statistical models to investigate the effects of oceanography and climate on groundfish long-term distribution and abundance in the northern California Current. Studied the overlap of fishery-independent (NMFS survey) and -dependent (logbook and landings) data sources on the Oregon continental shelf and their potential utility for assessment of nearshore flatfishes. Analyses completed using R.

North Pacific Groundfish Observer

Alaskan Observers, Inc.

Jul 2015 – Nov 2017 Seattle, Washington

Collected biological, safety, and effort data aboard commercial bottom trawlers in the Bering Sea. Biological data included maturity scans, otoliths, and salmon genetic samples. Worked with observers, NMFS scientists, fishermen, and processing plants.

AmeriCorps Volunteer

Watershed Stewards Program - Placed at NOAA SWFSC

Oct 2016 – Aug 2017 Santa Cruz, California

Collected data for population assessment of endangered Central California Coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout by stream surveys, juvenile trapping, and tagging. Created maps using ArcGIS for conference poster and future publications. Archived historical biological samples. Taught watershed curriculum to 3rd grade students and put on restoration event at a state park.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara

Jul 2014 – Jun 2015 Santa Barbara, California

Tested the swimming duration of Watersipora subtorquata to determine potential to spread as invasive species in the Santa Barbara Channel. Participated in SCUBA settlement plate surveys for presence of recently settled W. subtorquata. Conducted SCUBA surveys for eelgrass presence.

Aquarist and Educator

Research Experience and Education Facility (REEF)

Oct 2012 – Jun 2015 Santa Barbara, California

Built settlement plate frames to study colonization of fouling organisms on different antifouling paint treatments, as well as leaching of zinc and copper particles into the surrounding environment from the paints. Tested different formulations of copper nanoparticle paint.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Earth Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara (CEIN)

Jun 2014 – Oct 2014 Santa Barbara, California

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology Department, University of California Santa Barbara

Jul 2013 – Nov 2014 Santa Barbara, California

Led and helped design research projects under guidance Dr. Peter Collins at UCSB. Collected rockfish (Sebastes spp.) and cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) specimens by angling. Trained new interns and presented research findings. Used photomicroscopy to document the development of cabezon eggs

Contact

Skills

Statistics

Machine Learning

AAUS Research Diver

Data Visualization

At-Sea Data Collection