Li Ling Hamady
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Research Facility 225, MS#50 Woods Hole, Ma. 02543,
office phone: 1 508 289 3868, lhamady@whoi.edu
EDUCATION
Ph.D. (expected) Biological Oceanography, Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution Joint Graduate Program, Cambridge/Woods Hole MA. Current GPA: 4.4/5.0.
BA, College of Creative Studies (CCS) Biology with Honors, University of California, Santa Barbara.
June 2006. GPA: 3.72. Extensive study of ecological system dynamics, focused on marine systems.
Study Abroad Semester: James Cook University, Townsville, Australia. 7-12/04.
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
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
Relevant Graduate Course Work:
Genetics
Marine Geology & Geochemistry
Biological Oceanography
Population Genetics
Marine Chemistry
Introduction to Physical Oceanography
Marine Geodynamics Seminar: Climate Change
RESEARCH & WORK EXPERIENCE
Graduate Student under the guidance of Prof. Simon Thorrold. Fall 2008-present.
• Course work at MIT and WHOI
•14C and stable isotope ICP mass spectrometry analysis of basking shark vertebrae to determine migration and
feeding patterns.
Independent Researcher under the guidance of Prof. Steve Gaines, UCSB. 10/05-present.
• 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 at the 2007 International Biogeography Society meeting in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
• Anticipate project completion & write up for publication shortly.
Laboratory Technician & Manager of Prof. David Lea’s paleoclimatology lab, UCSB. 6/06-5/08
• 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.
Independent Researcher under the guidance of Prof. Steve Gaines, UCSB. 9/05-5/08.
• 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.
Research Assistant with Prof. Steve Gaines’ Lab, South Africa & UCSB. Summer & fall ’05.
• 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 in Monterey, CA.
Research Assistant for Scott Hamilton & Ben Ruttenberg, students of Prof. Bob Warner, UCSB. 2005.
• 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. 10/04.
• 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. 8-9/04.
• Assisted with trap setup, bird capture, handling & measurements of male Great Bowerbirds in Queensland, AUS.
Research Assistant with the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) lab, UCSB.
2003-2004.
• Identified & counted barnacle settlement & invertebrate recruitment. Dissected & identified recruit fish otoliths.
Conducted intertidal habitat surveys.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
The 3rd International Biogeography Society Conference. January 2007. Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
The 86th Annual Western Society of Naturalists Meeting. November 2005. Monterey, CA.
ACTIVITIES
Science Club for Girls Leader at Fletcher Maynard Elementary School, Cambridge MA. Fall 2009.
•Volunteered leading 1st grade girls belonging to underrepresented groups in science through free, after school
based experiential science learning.
Fundraiser & Athlete with Team in Training, Santa Barbara. Fall ’05 – summer ’06.
• Trained for & ran a half marathon & a marathon while raising over $2500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society’s programs of research & support for victims of blood cancers & their families.
Los Marineros Naturalist with the SB Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara. Spring ’04 & winter ’05.
• Educated 5th grade classes on tidepool & Snowy Plover ecology & conservation efforts on fieldtrips to the
habitats. Led activities & hands-on education.
Restoration Intern at the Arroyo Hondo Preserve with the Santa Barbara Land Trust, Santa Barbara. 1-4/04.
• Restored creek corridor to protect steelhead trout, red-legged frogs, & riparian birds, through planting, plant
maintenance, invasive weed control, & seed collection.
Camp Counselor at Girl Scout Summer Camp, Lafayette CA. Summers ’97-01
•Planned & lead activities, assisted adult leaders, maintained control of large groups of girls ages 3-15, observed
safety procedures, cooked, lead songs & craft projects.
HONORS, FELLOWSHIPS, & CERTIFICATIONS
Honorable Mention Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowship. 2008.
SEASPACE Fellowship. Fall 2008.
CCS Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Summer 2005.
Worster Grant. Summer 2005.
Selection to the Society of Success and Leadership. Summer 2005.
Selection to the National Dean’s List. Spring 2004.
Selection to the Golden Key International Honor Society. Fall 2004.
Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification. Fall 2004
UCSB Research Diving Certification. Fall 2003