Interviews with Prof. Brenda Konar (School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks)

1. What parts of your research have been in the field of coastal marine biology?

   All parts of my research are coastal. My projects have included influence of grazers on recruitment of algae and invertebrates on rocky substrates, feeding habitats of walrus, sea otters and grey whales, competition of sessile organisms in rocky habitats, and habitat use by different life stages of nearshore crabs and fishes.

2. What recent challenges have you faced in your work, especially your research?

   The largest challenge in my research is funding. All projects need external funds to get the science done. It is getting harder and harder to find funding as agencies have recently undergone budget cuts and more researchers are applying for funding.

3. Which marine organism is your favorite? What are some interesting facts about that organism?

   My favorite organisms are Sea urchins. They can eat a ton, life a long time, are very mobile (fast for an invert), and can go a long time without eating anything.

4. What drew you to work with NaGISA (or coastal marine biology)?

   I love to SCUBA dive and I love to ask why. Put those two things together and that is what I do. I ask questions about processes that structure communities in nearshore systems.

5. If a high school student approached you for advice, what kind of path would you recommend for someone interested in coastal biodiversity?

   Start early. Find someone doing work that you find interesting and see if you can be a volunteer in order to learn more about that topic.

6. What has been an amusing experience in working with NaGISA?

   When sampling for NaGISA in Price William Sound, my co-worker dropped a sieve over the side of the boat from which we were sorting our samples. We did a dive to retrieve the sieve (60ft) and found a totally new habitat for our state. We now know that there are Rhodolith beds in Alaska.