CURRICULUM VITAE
Kelton Wells McMahon
CURRICULUM VITAE
Kelton Wells McMahon
Doctoral Candidate: MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Biological Oceanography
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Department of Biology, MS 50
Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543
Phone: (508) 289-3966; Fax: (508) 457-2089
Email: kmcmahon@whoi.edu and keltonm@mit.edu
Lab Webpage: http://www.whoi.edu/sbl/liteSite.do?litesiteid=4290
Personal Webpage: http://www.whoi.edu/people/kmcmahon
Education:
Ph.D candidate: Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Joint Program in Biological Oceanography, 2005-Present, GPA: 4.92 (out of 5)
Dissertation Title: “Tracking coral reef fish migration with compound-specific stable isotope
analysis: Connectivity between juvenile nursery habitats and coral reefs.” Advisor: Dr. Simon
Thorrold (Biology)
B.S. Biology: Bates College, 2001-2005, Graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors thesis in
Biology, GPA: 3.88 (out of 4)
Thesis title: “The impact of a changing food supply on Arctic benthos: Digestibility of ice algae and
phytoplankton” Advisors: Dr. William Ambrose Jr. (Biology) and Dr. Beverly Johnson (Geology)
Relevant Courses (Graduate School only): Biological Oceanography, Biological-Physical
Interactions in the Sea, Ocean Isotope Ecology, Introduction to Mathematical Ecology,
Biological Chemistry, Marine Isotope Chemistry, Observational Physical Oceanography,
Marine Chemistry, Genetics, Communicating Ocean Science, Scientific Programming,
Applied Statistics, Biology and Ecology of Coral Reefs, Marine Ecosystem-Based
Management
Research Experience:
1. Graduate Research (2007-present): Ph.D thesis 1) developing methods to conduct
compound-specific stable isotope analysis on individual amino acids from otoliths and 2)
examining ontogenetic migration and connectivity between juvenile nursery habitats and
coral reefs for snapper Lutjanus spp. Conducted fieldwork, lab work, data analysis, and
interpretation.
2. Co-investigator (2007-present): Examining inter-annual to inter-decadal climate
variability in the Arctic Ocean via analysis of δ18O, δ13C and trace element
microchemistry in shells of the bivalve Serripes groenlandicus. Conducted lab work, data
analysis, interpretation and contributed to the manuscripts. Collaborators: Dr. WG
Ambrose (Bates College), Dr. ML Carroll (Akvaplan-niva, Norway), Dr. B Johnson (Bates
College)
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CURRICULUM VITAE
Kelton Wells McMahon
3. Graduate Research (2006-present): Tracking ocean-basin scale basking shark migration
with PSAT telemetry and stable isotope analysis. Determining the post-depositional
metabolic stability of basking shark vertebrae using bomb-radiocarbon analysis of bulk
collagen, lipids and individual amino acids. Conducted lab work, data analysis and
interpretation, and contributed to manuscripts. Collaborators: Dr. SR Thorrold (WHOI), Dr.
G. Skomal (Marine Fisheries)
4. Graduate Research (2006-2007): Conducted meta-analysis of published plankton δ13C
and δ15N values and seawater δ18O and δ2H values for the Atlantic Ocean to develop
ocean-basin scale isoscapes (2D MATLAB contour plots spatial isotope data). Conducted
lab work, data analysis, and contributed to the manuscript (in review). Collaborators: Dr.
SR Thorrold (WHOI), CA Linder (WHOI), Dr. B Graham (Univ. of Hawaii).
5. Undergraduate Thesis (2004): “Impacts of a changing food supply on Arctic benthos:
Digestibility of ice algae and phytoplankton.” Conducted field work including cruise time
aboard the R/V Jan Mayen, data analysis, interpretation, and wrote the manuscript.
Collaborators: Dr. WG Ambrose (Bates College), Dr. BJ Johnson (Bates College), Dr. GR
Lopez (SUNY Stony Brook), Dr. ML Carroll (Akvaplan-Niva, Norway), Dr. M-Y Sun
(University of Georgia), Dr. LM Clough (Eastern Carolina University)
6. Research Assistant (2004): “Experimental tests of petroleum-associated components on
benthos at community, individual, and cellular levels.” Conducted field work and assisted
with data analysis and interpretation. Aboard the R/V Jan Mayen, Collaborators: Dr. WG
Ambrose (Bates College), Dr. ML Carroll (Akvaplan-niva, Norway), GH Olsen (Ph.D
student, Akvaplan-niva, Norway)
7. Co-Investigator (2003): “Variation in bivalve growth in a Norwegian high-Arctic fjord:
Evidence for local- and large-scale climatic forcing.” Conducted lab work, data analysis,
interpretation, and contributed to the manuscript. Collaborators: Dr. WG Ambrose (Bates
College), Dr. ML Carroll (Akvaplan-niva, Norway), Dr. M Greenacre (Pompeu Fabra
University, Spain), Dr. SR Thorrold (WHOI)
8. Lead Investigator (2003): “Diet and regional feeding habits of the common mummichog,
Fundulus heteroclitus, in a Maine salt marsh assessed using stable carbon and nitrogen and
gut content analyses.” Conducted field work, data analysis, interpretation and wrote the
manuscript. Collaborators: Dr. WG Ambrose (Bates College), Dr. BJ Johnson (Bates
College)
9. Research Assistant (2002-2003): “Impacts of Phragmites control on selected ecological
functions within tidelands of the Lieutenant River.” Examined Phragmites expansion rates,
litter decomposition rates, and marsh fish and invertebrate habitat use in Phragmites
dominated marshes versus control marshes pre- and post Phragmites eradication (with
herbicide and mowing). Conducted field work, data analysis, and interpretation.
Collaborators: Dr. RS Warren (Connecticut College), Dr. PE Fell (Connecticut College).
Teaching Experience:
1. MIT-WHOI Graduate Student Mentor (2008-present)
2. Guest Lecturer, Mullen-Hall Elementary School (2008): Multiple lessons on Ocean
Science. Elementary School
3. Guest Lecturer, Brown University (2008): BIOL 1880: Comparative Biology of
Vertebrates. Advanced Undergraduates
4. Guest Lecturer, Codman Academy (2007): Marine Biology Course: High School
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Kelton Wells McMahon
5. Technical Writing Assistant, Bates College (2004-2005): Biological Principles, Ecology,
Cellular and Molecular Biology
6. Academic Tutor, Bates College (2004-2005): Organic Chemistry I and II, Calculus I and
II, Biological Principles, Ecology
7. Teacher’s Assistant, Bates College (2003-2005): Organic Chemistry I and II, Biological
Principles, Ecology
Honors and Awards:
1. Best Student Paper Award (2009), 4th International Otolith Symposium
2. Sally Richardson Best Student Paper Award (2009), 33rd Annual Larval Fish Conference
3. National Chancellor’s List (2006)
4. Presidential Award (2005), SUNY Stony Brook: (Offer Declined)
5. Summa Cum Laude (2005), Bates College
6. National Dean’s List (2003-2005)
7. Dean’s Honors List (2001-2005), Bates College: (8 consecutive semesters)
8. Arthur Crafts Award (2001), Bates College
Fellowships:
1. International Society for Reef Studies/Ocean Conservancy Coral Reef Research
Fellowship (2008), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
2. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2006-present), Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution
3. Ocean Life Fellowship (2005-2006), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
4. Graduate Council Fellowship (2005), SUNY Stony Brook (Offer Declined)
5. Howard Hughes Summer Fellowship (2004-2005), Bates College
Research Grants:
1. Ocean Life Institute Student Research Grant (2008)
2. Isoscapes Travel Grant (2008)
3. Bates Student Research Grant (2003, 2004)
4. Hughes Student-Faculty Research Grant (2004)
5. Hughes Travel Grant (2004, 2005)
Conference Presentations:
1. McMahon KW, Fogel M, Elsdon T, Mataeo I., Thorrold S. “Stable Carbon Isotope
Analysis of Amino Acids in Otolith Protein: A New Tool for Tracking Fish Movement.”
4th International Otolith Symposium, August 2009, Monterey, CA, USA (Best Student
Paper Award)
2. McMahon KW, Fogel M, Elsdon T, Thorrold S. “Carbon Isotope Fractionation of
Amino Acids of a Marine Fish.” 33rd Annual Larval Fish Conference, July 2009,
Portland, OR, USA (Sally Richardson Best Student Paper Award)
3. McMahon KW, Fogel M, Elsdon T, Thorrold S. “Patterns in Carbon Isotope
Fractionation of Amino Acids Between Diet and Consumer in a Model Fish Species.” 6th
Annual Isotope Ecology Conference, August 2008, Honolulu, HI, USA
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Kelton Wells McMahon
4. McMahon KW, Lysiak N, Brin L, Buckman K, Kneeland J, Gibbons F, Thorrold SR.
“Ocean ecogeochemistry applied to connectivity analyses in marine populations.” Poster
presentation at: Isoscapes Conference, April 2008, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
5. McMahon KW, Ambrose WG, Johnson BJ, Sun M-Y, Lopez GR, Clough LM, Carroll
ML. “The impacts of a changing food supply on Arctic benthos: Digestibility of ice algae
and phytoplankton.” Oral presentation at: 34th Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting. April
2005, Williamsburg, VA, USA
6. McMahon KW. “The Impacts of a Changing Food Supply on Arctic Benthos.” Oral
Presentation at: Mount David Research Symposium, March 2005, Lewiston, ME, USA
7. McMahon KW, Ambrose WG, Johnson BJ. “Contributions of local food items to the diet
of Fundulus heteroclitus: Analysis of δ13C/δ15N and gut contents.” Poster presentation at:
33rd Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting. March 2004, Mobile, AL, USA
8. McMahon, KW. “Contributions of Local Food Items to the Diet of Fundulus
heteroclitus” Poster presentation at: Mount David Research Symposium, March 2004,
Lewiston, ME, USA
9. McMahon KW. “Impacts of Phragmites control on selected ecological functions within
tidelands of the Lieutenant River.” Poster presentation at: Connecticut College Research
Symposium, August 2003, New London, CT, USA
Invited Talks:
1. McMahon KW “The secret lives of coral reef fishes: Tracking migration in the marine
environment.” September 2009, WHOI Ocean Science Journalism Fellows Lecture
2. McMahon KW “Tracking animal movement in the marine environment.” February 2009,
Biology Department Seminar, Bates College
3. McMahon KW “Tracking coral reef fish migration: A chemical approach to an ecological
question.” October 2008, WHOI Trustee and Corporation Member Lecture
4. McMahon KW “Where do the juvenile coral reef fish play?” September 2008, WHOI
Ocean Science Journalism Fellows Lecture
5. McMahon KW, Ambrose WG, Johnson BJ, Sun M-Y, Lopez GR, Clough LM, Carroll
ML. “Impacts of a changing food supply on Arctic benthos: Digestibility of ice algae and
phytoplankton.” April 2005, Dr. G. Lopez’s Lab, Stony Brook University
6. McMahon KW, Ambrose WG, Johnson BJ, Sun M-Y, Lopez GR, Clough LM, Carroll
ML. “The impact of a changing food supply on Arctic benthos: Digestibility of ice algae
and phytoplankton.” October 2004, Dr. A. Flecker’s Lab, Cornell University
Publications:
a) Peer-reviewed Journal Articles
1. McMahon KW, Lysiak N, Brin L, Buckman K, Kneeland J, Gibbons F, Thorrold SR. (In
Prep.) “Ocean ecogeochemistry applied to connectivity analyses in marine populations”
Invited submission to Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
2. McMahon KW, Fogel ML, Elsdon T, Thorrold SR (In Review) Carbon isotope
fractionation of amino acids in a marine fish. Journal of Animal Ecology
3. Elsdon T, Ayvazian S, McMahon KM, Thorrold SR (In Review) Experimental
evaluation of stable isotope fractionation in fish muscle and otoliths. Marine Ecology
Progress Series
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CURRICULUM VITAE
Kelton Wells McMahon
4. Graham BS, Koch PL, Newsome SD, McMahon KW, and Aurioles D (in press) Using
isoscapes to trace the movements and foraging behavior of top predators in oceanic
ecosystems. In Isoscapes: Understanding Movement, Pattern and Process on Earth
Through Isotope Mapping (eds. J. West, G. J. Bowen, T. E. Dawson, K. P. Tu). Springer
5. Skomal GB, Zeeman SI, Chisholm JH, Summers EL, Walsh HJ, McMahon KW, Thorrold
SR. (In Press) Mesopelagic trans-equatorial migrations by basking sharks in the western
Atlantic Ocean. Current Biology
6. Carroll M, Johnson B, Henkes G, McMahon KW, Voronkov A, Ambrose W, Denisenko
S. (2009). Bivalves as indicators of environmental variation and potential anthropogenic
impacts in the southern Barents Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin 59:193-206
7. Ambrose WG, Carroll ML, Greenacre M, Thorrold SR, McMahon KW. (2006)
“Variation in bivalve growth in a Norwegian high-Arctic fjord: Evidence for local- and
large-scale climatic forcing.” Global Change Biology 12:1595-1607
8. McMahon KW, Ambrose WG, Johnson BJ, Sun M-Y, Lopez GR, Clough LM, Carroll
ML (2006) Benthic community response to ice algae and phytoplankton in Ny Ålesund,
Svalbard. Marine Ecology Progress Series 310:1-14 (Issue’s feature article)
9. McMahon KW, Johnson BJ, Ambrose WG. (2005). Diet and movement of the killifish,
Fundulus heteroclitus, in a Maine salt marsh assessed using gut contents and stable
isotope analyses. Estuaries 28(6):966-973
b) Published Abstracts (presented by collaborators):
1. Graham B, Fry B, Popp B, Koch P, Newsome S, McMahon KW. “Using isoscapes to
trace the movements and foraging behavior of predators in oceanic ecosystems.” 6th
Annual Isotope Ecology Conference, August 2008, Honolulu, HI, USA
2. Carroll ML, Denisenko SG, Voronkov A, Ambrose WG, Henkes G, McMahon KW.
“Arctic bivalves as indicators of environmental variation from intra-annual to centennial
timescales.” Ocean Sciences Meeting, ASLO, March 2008, Orlando, FL
3. Johnson BJ, Ambrose WG, Henkes G, McMahon KW, Carroll ML. “Shifts in the δ13C
of Serripes groenlandicus Shell Organic Matter: A Proxy for Intra- and Interannual
Changes in Primary Production in the Arctic?” National American Chemical Society
(ACS) Meeting, August 2007, Boston, MA
4. Henkes GA, Johnson BJ, Ambrose WG, McMahon KW, Carroll ML, Hop H
“Environmental Conditions in a Norwegian High Arctic Fjord: Evidence from Serripes
groenlandicus (Bivalvia) Growth Rates and Shell Organic Carbon Isotope Composition”
1st International Sclerochronology Conference, July 2007, St. Petersburg, FL
5. Carroll ML, Ambrose WG, Greenacre M, Clough L, McMahon KW, Thorrold SR,
Henkes GA, Stinson L, Edgerly J. “Arctic bivalves as proxies of local and large-scale
climatic variations: Analysis of pan-Arctic growth patterns.” 1st International
Sclerochronology Conference, July 2007, St. Petersburg, FL
6. Carroll ML, Ambrose WG, Greenacre M, Clough LM, McMahon KW, Stinson L,
Edgerly J, Thorrold S. “Arctic bivalves as proxies of local and large-scale climatic
variations: Analysis of pan-Arctic growth patterns.” Ecosystems Dynamics in the
Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea. March 2007, Tromsø Norway
7. Johnson BJ, Ambrose WG, McMahon KW, Carroll ML. “Shifts in the δ13C of Serripes
groenlandicus Shell Organic Matter: A Proxy for Intra- and Interannual
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CURRICULUM VITAE
Kelton Wells McMahon
Changes in Primary Production in the Arctic?” New England Geological Society
American Annual Meeting. March 2007, Durham, NH
8. Johnson BJ, Ambrose WG, McMahon KW, Carroll ML. “Shifts in the δ13C of Serripes
groenlandicus Shell Organic Matter: A Proxy for Intra- and Interannual
Changes in Primary Production in the Arctic?” Arctic Frontiers Meeting, January 2007,
Tromsö, Norway
9. Ambrose WG, Carroll ML, Nolan K, Retelle M, Greenacre M, McMahon KW. “Climate
Change on Svalbard: Evidence from Modern and Fossil Bivalves.” Arctic Frontiers
Meeting. January 2007, Tromsö, Norway
10. Clough LM, Ambrose WG, Betournay S, Carroll ML, Lopez GR, Meltzer K, Sun M-Y,
McMahon KW, Richardson M. “The Digestibility of Ice Algae and Phytoplankton:
Impacts on Arctic Benthic Macrofauna.” Ocean Sciences Meeting. February 2006,
Honolulu, HI
11. Carroll ML, Ambrose WG, Greenacre M, McMahon KW, Thorrold SR. “Patterns of
Variation in Bivalve Growth in a Norwegian High-Arctic Fjord: Evidence for Local- and
Large-Scale Forcing.” American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO)
Summer Meeting. June 2005, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
12. Ambrose WG, Carroll ML, Greenacre M, McMahon KW, Thorrold SR. “Patterns of
Variation in Bivalve Growth in a Norwegian High-Arctic Fjord: Evidence for Local- and
Large-Scale Forcing.” 34th Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting. April 2005, Williamsburg,
VA, USA
13. Carroll ML, Clough LM, Sun M-Y, Lopez GR, Ambrose WG, McMahon KW.
“Response of Arctic benthic communities to variable food supplies associated with
climatic change: Ice algae vs. phytoplankton.” Gordon Research Conference on Polar
Marine Sciences. March 2005, Ventura, CA, USA
Manuscript reviewer for: Estuaries, Marine Ecology Progress Series, Progress in Oceanography
Society membership: Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, Phi Beta Kappa Society, American
Fisheries Society
Current as of August 2009
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