Li Ling Hamady
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Research Facility 225, MS#50 Woods Hole, Ma. 02543,
office phone: 1 508 289 3868, liling@whoi.edu
EDUCATION
2008-present
Ph.D. (expected) Biological Oceanography, Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution Joint Graduate Program, Cambridge/Woods Hole, MA.
Advisor: Dr. Simon Thorrold. Current GPA: 4.6/5.0.
2002-2006
College of Creative Studies (CCS) Biology with Honors, University of California, Santa
Barbara. Extensive study of ecological system dynamics, focused on marine systems. GPA: 3.72.
Study Abroad Semester: James Cook University, Townsville, Australia. 7-12/04.
Relevant Graduate Course Work:
Genetics
Marine Geology & Geochemistry
Biological Oceanography
Science Writing for the General Public
Relevant Undergraduate Course Work:
Introduction to Ecology
Coral Reef Ecology
Applied Marine Ecology
Principles of Evolution
Biology of Fishes
Aquatic Ecology (A,B,C) & labs
Plant Systematics
Mangrove Ecosystems
Graduate Seminar on Global Ecology
Population Genetics
Intro to Physical Oceanography
Marine Geodynamics: Climate Change
Marine Chemistry
Oceans and Human Health
Tropical Coastal Ecology
Developmental Biology & lab
Behavioral Ecology
Ecological Modeling
Rainforest Ecology
Invertebrate Zoology I&II
Evolutionary Medicine
Advanced Biological Statistics
Sex & Evolution
Marine Ecological Physiology
Paleontology
Deep Sea Biology
Global Warming
Restoration Ecology Seminar
Parasitology
Graduate Seminar on Early Life
Tropical Coral Reef, Rainforest, & Wetland Ecology
RESEARCH & WORK EXPERIENCE
2008- present Graduate Student under the guidance of Dr. Simon Thorrold.
• Course work at MIT and WHOI
•14C and stable isotope ICP mass spectrometry analysis of basking shark, whale shark, great white
shark, and dusky shark vertebrae, coupled with PSAT tagging of live individuals to determine
migration and feeding patterns.
2005- present Independent Researcher under the guidance of Prof. Steve Gaines, UCSB.
• Collaborated with a fellow student to design & carry out a unique lab experiment examining the
evolutionary basis of differing feeding behaviors of two intertidal dogwhelk congeners (Nucella
emarginata & N. ostrina) with distinct northern and southern CA ranges, on a barnacle (Tetraclita
rubescens) whose range is extending northward, likely due to climate change.
• Collected snails & barnacles from Baja CA to Bodega Bay, designed seawater table equipment &
feeding trial setup, monitored multiple experiments, organized & analyzed results.
•Presented poster on preliminary results at the 2007 International Biogeography Society Conference.
•Anticipate project completion & write up for publication shortly.
2006-2008
Laboratory Technician & Manager of Prof. David Lea’s paleoclimatology lab, UCSB.
• Processed foraminifera from ocean sediment samples for trace metal & isotopic analysis by mass
spectrometry.
• Supervised & coordinated daily lab operations & physical facilities of lab, including clean room
procedures, product ordering, service arrangements, & data analysis.
2005-2008
Independent Researcher under the guidance of Prof. Steve Gaines, UCSB.
• Collaborated with graduate students to investigate the historical frequency of SST extremes along the
US west coast with the goal of evaluating their influence on the geographical distribution of marine
organisms.
•Used Matlab & JMP to eliminate trends & create contour plots for analysis.
2005
2005
2004
2004
2003-2004
Research Assistant with Prof. Steve Gaines’ Lab, South Africa & UCSB.
• Conducted intertidal habitat surveys & sampling for several biogeographic studies along entire South
African coastline. Processed limpet reproductive tissue samples.
•Attended the Mellon Foundation conference in South Africa. Presented poster on preliminary results
of personal work at the 2005 Western Society of Naturalists Conference.
Research Assistant for Scott Hamilton & Ben Ruttenberg, students of Prof. Bob Warner, UCSB.
• Conducted laboratory phase of study of larval connectivity of reef fishes by analyzing the chemical
composition of their otoliths using ICP mass spectrometry.
• Extracted, cleaned, & prepared otoliths from egg masses for trace element analysis in a clean
laboratory using trace-metal grade chemicals. Dissected & polished juvenile otoliths.
Research Assistant with James Cook University graduate student, JCU, Australia.
• Took abiotic stream measurements & algal samples for stream research in the outback of
Queensland, AUS on a week-long trip.
Research Assistant with James Cook University graduate student, JCU, Australia.
• Assisted with trap setup, bird capture, handling & measurements of male Great Bowerbirds in
Queensland, AUS.
Research Assistant with Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) UCSB.
• Identified & counted barnacle settlement & invertebrate recruitment. Dissected & identified recruit
fish otoliths. Conducted intertidal habitat surveys.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
2010
2007
2005
Hamady LL, LJ Natanson, L Houghton, G Skomal, SR Thorrold. “Resolving Basking Shark
Migratory Connectivity in the Western Atlantic: Incorporating Satellite Archival Tagging and
Ecogeochemistry Techniques.” Eos Trans. AGU 91(26), Ocean Sciences Meeting Suppl., Abstract
BO43B-05. Oral Presentation. Portland, OR, USA.
Swezey DS, LL Hamady. “Shifting Ranges in Past and Present Climate: the Inability of Northern
Whelks to Drill the Range Extending Barnacle Tetraclita rubescens.” Poster Presentation at: The 3rd
International Biogeography Society Conference. Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
Hamady LL, SE Lester, BP Kinlan, GE Hofmann, & SD Gaines. “Is it Hot in Here or is it Just
You?: Thermal Stress & Range Boundaries of Two Barnacle Species on the East Coast of South
Africa.” Poster Presentation at: The 86th Annual Western Society of Naturalists Meeting. Monterey,
CA, USA.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2009
2004-2005
Science Club for Girls Leader at Fletcher Maynard Elementary School, Cambridge, MA.
•Volunteered leading 1st grade girls belonging to underrepresented groups in science through free,
after school based experiential science learning.
Los Marineros Naturalist with the SB Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara, CA.
• Educated 5th grade classes on tidepool & Snowy Plover ecology & conservation efforts on fieldtrips
to the habitats. Led activities & hands-on education.
HONORS, FELLOWSHIPS, & CERTIFICATIONS
2010- present
2010
2008
2008
2005
2005
2004
2003
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Honorable Mention Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowship
Honorable Mention Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowship
SEASPACE Fellowship
CCS Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Worster Research Grant
Advanced Open Water SCUBA Certification
UCSB Research Diving Certification
Manuscript Reviewer for: Marine Ecology Progress Series
Society Memberships: ASLO
Current as of January 2011