The Marine Ecology and Biology Student Association
Association through the San Diego State University (SDSU) Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory (CMIL)
4165 Spruance Road; San Diego CA; 92101
Email: Mebsa.cmil@gmail.com
Webpage: Mebsa.wordpress.com
MISSION STATEMENT:
The Marine Ecology and Biology Student Association (MEBSA) strives to foster a cohesive and
supportive community among students in marine ecology at San Diego State University. We work towards
improving the academic environment at the Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory with the goal of improving
the quality of research and collaboration. Additionally, we recognize the importance of scientific outreach and
communication and seek to encourage community awareness of environmental issues within the San Diego
region.
MEBSA ORGANIZED OUTREACH ACTIVITIES:
Educational Tours of a Working Marine Laboratory
2011-present
 Teach visitors about the unique equipment and capabilities of the San Diego State University CMIL.
 Discuss current research being conducted at the CMIL by San Diego State University graduate students
and faculty.
 Facilitate activities highlighting important ecological concepts studied by San Diego State scientists.
o Example activity topics: Plankton biology and biodiversity, seaweed chemical defenses,
scientific methods
Marine Science Day
2012-present
 Organize 8-10 different activities highlighting the current research being conducted at the CMIL and
teach basic scientific principles.
 Coordinate a graduate student and faculty speakers to discuss details of their research and life as a
scientist.
o Annually attracts between 600-800 visitors
Making Waves Educational Initiative
2013-present
 Bring relevant, entertaining science into local San Diego classrooms.
o Previous affiliations: Mater Dei Middle School.
o Topics included: Ocean acidification, seagrass biodiversity, and food web ecology.
Tidepooling with a Biologist
2012-present
 Lead groups of 20-30 people (all ages) in exploring local tidepools.
 Identified species of invertebrates and seaweeds commonly found in San Diego tidepools and discussed
their unique adaptations.
Avirara Oaks Kids’ Care Science Enrichment
2015
 Groups of 2-3 students developed and facilitated 1-1.5 hour-long activities designed to highlight
ecological and biological concepts.
o Topics included: Kelp forest ecology, keystone predation, fish biology, estuary ecology, and
biodiversity
o Coordinated in-class visits monthly from February-May 2015
MEBSA ATTENDED OUTREACH EVENTS:
Explore San Diego State University
2012-present
 Present information to incoming SDSU students regarding the resources available at the CMIL.
 Highlight the opportunities available to undergraduate students interested in scientific outreach,
education, and communications.
Ocean Discovery Institute (ODI) STEM Speaker
2012-present
 Attend ODI organized events and present students with information regarding our research, life as a
scientist, and how we became interested in science as a career.
San Diego Science Alliance BE Wise
2012-present
 Facilitate activities related to marine biology and ecology.
 Discuss the pathway to becoming a marine scientist
o Topics include: Kelp forest ecology, seaweed anti-predator defenses, and seagrass biodiversity.
San Diego Science Alliance High Tech Fair
2012-present
 Host an exhibit entitled “Marine Ecologists: Detectives of the Sea”; where visiting students learn about
predator-prey interactions along San Diego’s rocky coastline.
John Paul Jones Elementary School’s Science and Engineering Fair
2015
 Manned a booth with a touch-tank and a display meant to show visitors the methods and tools used by
ecologists to answer scientific questions.
o Topics included: Survey techniques (quadrats and transects) and measuring invertebrates.
Kids’ EcoClub Earth Day Fair
2015
 Hosted a booth and activity focused on the importance of marine systems in San Diego and the predatorprey interactions within rocky intertidal communities.
NOAA Climate Change Student Summit
 Participated as judges and mentors of projects presentations submitted by students nation-wide
discussing climate change-related issues.
2012
INSITUTIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:
Seminar Series
2012-present
 Coordinate visits by researchers from across the country to give a seminar highlighting their laboratories
research findings.
 Host research scientists from across the country.
 Facilitate interactions between San Diego State University scientists and visiting researchers through
graduate student lunches, meet and greets, and networking no-host dinners.
o Example speakers: Dr. Edwin Grosholz (UC Davis), Dr. Timothy Essington (University of
Washington), Dr. Randall Hughes (Northeastern University), Dr. Danielle Dixon (University of
Delaware), Dr. Lisa Levin (Scripps Institute of Oceanography).
Short-Course on the Design and Analysis of Ecological Experiments
2013
 Hosted Dr. Tony Underwood to teach a short-course of ecological statistics for San Diego State University
graduate students.
FUNDING AWARDS:
CSU COAST Seminar Series Speaker Funding; “Using population models to predict ecosystem
responses in newly established MPAs- Kerry Nickols”. Awarded to Dr. Brian Hentschel (5/2015)
SDSU Associated Students Union Board Funding; “Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory’s
Marine Science Day”. (3/2015)
SDSU Student Success Fee Academic Related Programs Award “Enhancing the Marine Ecology
and Biology Student Association’s Seminar Series”. (11/2014)
SDSU Instructionally Related Activities Fund; “Enhancing the Marine Ecology and Biology
Student Association’s Seminar Series”. (9/2014)
SDSU Associated Students Union Board Funding; “Third annual Coastal and Marine Institute
Laboratory Open House”. (2/2014)
SDSU Cultural Arts and Special Activities Funding; “Second annual Coastal and Marine Institute
Laboratory Open House”. (2/2013)
SDSU Cultural Arts and Special Activities Funding; “First annual Coastal and Marine Institute
Laboratory Open House”. (2/2012).
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA:
CMIL Newsletter
2012-present
 Monthly public eNewsletter with articles on student research and outreach events
o 375 subscribers
Facebook: SDSU Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory
2014-present
o 284 followers
Twitter: CMIL
2014-present
o Twitter Handle- @SDSU_CMIL
o 138 followers
YouTube: TheMEBSA
2012-present
 Check out video footage of Marine Science Day and a fantastic video highlighting the CMIL
o Five videos
AWARDS:
Environmental Leadership Award, The Maritime Alliance (2013)
Student Leadership Award, San Diego Science Alliance Partnership Award (2012)
Ocean Leadership Award, San Diego Oceans Foundation (2012)
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Co-Chairs:
Shelby Rinehart
San Diego State University and
University of California, Davis
Ph.D. Candidate
srinehart@ucdavis.edu
Faculty Sponsor:
Dr. Jeremy Long
San Diego State University
Associate Professor
jlong@mail.sdsu.edu
Miranda Brett
San Diego State University
M.S. Candidate
mirandanbrett@gmail.com
Outreach Coordinator:
Julia Ledbetter
San Diego State University
M.S. Student
julia.f.ledbetter@gmail.com
AFFILIATIONS:
Institutional:
San Diego State University; College of Arts and Sciences
San Diego State University; Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory
Community:
Ocean Discovery Institute
San Diego Science Alliance