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Amy A. Briggs
National Museum of Natural History Fellow
Smithsonian Marine Station
Fort Pierce, FL, USA
Smithsonian Marine Station
Fort Pierce, FL, USA
Education
Ph.D. Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia Ecology 2022
M.S. California State University, Northridge Biology 2016
B.S. Stanford University Biological Sciences 2008
M.S. California State University, Northridge Biology 2016
B.S. Stanford University Biological Sciences 2008
Previous Research Experience
2015 – 2022, PhD student, University of Georgia, Athens, GA (Advisor: C.W. Osenberg)
· Dissertation: Algae affect coral reef microbial communities at multiple spatial scales, with consequences for coral-algal regime
shifts
2018 – 2021, Research Assistant, University of Georgia (UGA), Athens, GA (Supervisor: C.W. Osenberg)
· Duties: Develop content and create open-access online tutorials on meta-analysis for research professionals in ecology and
conservation; perform systematic review of methods used in ecological meta-analysis related to weighting and non-
independence.
2012 – 2016, Masters Student, California State University, Northridge, CA (Advisor: R.C. Carpenter)
· Thesis: The effects of light, temperature, and ocean acidification on the physiology and ecology of tropical
crustose coralline algae
2010–2011, Research Assistant, National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Santa Barbara, CA (Supervisors:
J.K. Baum & S.M. Walsh)
· Research: Changes in functional group and genus composition of coral reef benthic communities
with fishing pressure and oceanographic productivity at Kiritimati Atoll
2009–2010, Research Technician, Stanford University, CA (Supervisors: F. Micheli & R. Dirzo)
· Effects of artisanal fisheries on coral reef communities in the Northern Line Islands
· Effects of marine subsidies from seabirds on terrestrial community assemblages and island food web dynamics
at Palmyra Atoll
· Individual research: Morphological and trophic responses of geckos to spatial subsidies from seabirds and
changes in habitat structure
2008, Biological Oceanography Intern, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama (Supervisor: L. D’Croz)
· Effects of nutrient enrichment on Caribbean and Pacific phytoplankton communities’ productivity and size
structure
2007–2008, Research Assistant, Stanford University, CA (Supervisor: R. Dirzo)
· Community responses to the removal of large predatory fish from coral reefs (Palmyra and Tabuaeran Atolls)
· Seabird impacts on island communities through nutrient subsidies, and the role of an introduced plant species in driving
ecosystem nutrient depletion at Palmyra Atoll
2007, Undergraduate Researcher, Stanford@SEA program, Hopkins Marine Station, Monterey, CA, research cruise from
Hawaii to Northern Line Islands (Supervisor: B.A. Block)
· Individual research: Toxic dinoflagellate densities along a gradient of human impact in the Northern Line
Islands, and abundances of macroalgal hosts associated with their presence
2005, 2006, Research Assistant, ConocoPhillips, Bartlesville Technology Center, OK, Reservoir Mechanisms NMR/MRI lab
(Supervisor: J.J. Howard)
· Individual research: Developing low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as a tool for analyzing droplet
size distributions in oil/water emulsions
· Dissertation: Algae affect coral reef microbial communities at multiple spatial scales, with consequences for coral-algal regime
shifts
2018 – 2021, Research Assistant, University of Georgia (UGA), Athens, GA (Supervisor: C.W. Osenberg)
· Duties: Develop content and create open-access online tutorials on meta-analysis for research professionals in ecology and
conservation; perform systematic review of methods used in ecological meta-analysis related to weighting and non-
independence.
2012 – 2016, Masters Student, California State University, Northridge, CA (Advisor: R.C. Carpenter)
· Thesis: The effects of light, temperature, and ocean acidification on the physiology and ecology of tropical
crustose coralline algae
2010–2011, Research Assistant, National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Santa Barbara, CA (Supervisors:
J.K. Baum & S.M. Walsh)
· Research: Changes in functional group and genus composition of coral reef benthic communities
with fishing pressure and oceanographic productivity at Kiritimati Atoll
2009–2010, Research Technician, Stanford University, CA (Supervisors: F. Micheli & R. Dirzo)
· Effects of artisanal fisheries on coral reef communities in the Northern Line Islands
· Effects of marine subsidies from seabirds on terrestrial community assemblages and island food web dynamics
at Palmyra Atoll
· Individual research: Morphological and trophic responses of geckos to spatial subsidies from seabirds and
changes in habitat structure
2008, Biological Oceanography Intern, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama (Supervisor: L. D’Croz)
· Effects of nutrient enrichment on Caribbean and Pacific phytoplankton communities’ productivity and size
structure
2007–2008, Research Assistant, Stanford University, CA (Supervisor: R. Dirzo)
· Community responses to the removal of large predatory fish from coral reefs (Palmyra and Tabuaeran Atolls)
· Seabird impacts on island communities through nutrient subsidies, and the role of an introduced plant species in driving
ecosystem nutrient depletion at Palmyra Atoll
2007, Undergraduate Researcher, Stanford@SEA program, Hopkins Marine Station, Monterey, CA, research cruise from
Hawaii to Northern Line Islands (Supervisor: B.A. Block)
· Individual research: Toxic dinoflagellate densities along a gradient of human impact in the Northern Line
Islands, and abundances of macroalgal hosts associated with their presence
2005, 2006, Research Assistant, ConocoPhillips, Bartlesville Technology Center, OK, Reservoir Mechanisms NMR/MRI lab
(Supervisor: J.J. Howard)
· Individual research: Developing low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as a tool for analyzing droplet
size distributions in oil/water emulsions
Awards, Fellowships, and Grants
2019-2021 ARCS Foundation Scholar award
2019 Beverly Hirsh Frank Graduate Fellowship (UGA)
2018 University of Georgia, Odum School of Ecology grant
2017 University of Georgia, Odum School of Ecology grant
2015-2017 University of Georgia, Graduate Assistantship Fellowship
2013 California State University, Northridge, Graduate Fellowship for Outstanding Research Promise
2013 California State University, Northridge, Graduate Equity Fellowship
2013 California State University, Northridge, Thesis Support Grant
2010 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Honorable Mention
2019 Beverly Hirsh Frank Graduate Fellowship (UGA)
2018 University of Georgia, Odum School of Ecology grant
2017 University of Georgia, Odum School of Ecology grant
2015-2017 University of Georgia, Graduate Assistantship Fellowship
2013 California State University, Northridge, Graduate Fellowship for Outstanding Research Promise
2013 California State University, Northridge, Graduate Equity Fellowship
2013 California State University, Northridge, Thesis Support Grant
2010 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Honorable Mention
Publications
AA Briggs, AL Brown, CW Osenberg (2021) Local vs. site-level effects of algae on coral microbial communities. Royal Society
Open Science. 8: 210035. doi: 10.1098/rsos.210035.
AA Briggs, CW Osenberg (2019) Spatial aggregation of aquatic habitats affects oviposition patterns in Aedes mosquitoes.
Oecologia. doi: 10.1007/s00442-019-04448-3.
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2019) Contrasting responses of photosynthesis and photochemical efficiency to ocean
acidification under different light environments in a calcifying alga. Scientific Reports, 9(1): 3986.
doi:10.1038/s41598-019-40620-8.
Goldberg, GE, TK Raab, P De Salle, AA Briggs, RB Dunbar, F Millero, R Woosley, HS Young, F Micheli, DJ McCauley (2019)
Chemistry of the consumption and the excretion of the bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), a coral reef
mega-consumer. Coral Reefs. doi:10.1007/s00338-019-01781-0.
CL Wood, JK Baum, SM Walsh, R Trebilco, S Sandin, B Zgliczynski, AA Briggs, F Micheli (2015) Productivity and fishing
pressure drive variability in fish parasite assemblages of the Line Islands, central equatorial Pacific. Ecology, 96(5): 1383-1398.
AA Briggs†, HS Young†, DJ McCauley, SA Hathaway, R Dirzo, RN Fisher (2012) Effects of spatial subsidies and habitat structure
on the foraging ecology and size of geckos. PLoS ONE 7(8): e41364. † authors contributed equally
HS Young, T Raab, DJ McCauley, AA Briggs, and R Dirzo (2010) The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, impacts forest composition
and soil characteristics on Palmyra Atoll, Central Pacific. Journal of Vegetation Science. 21: 1058-1068.
Open Science. 8: 210035. doi: 10.1098/rsos.210035.
AA Briggs, CW Osenberg (2019) Spatial aggregation of aquatic habitats affects oviposition patterns in Aedes mosquitoes.
Oecologia. doi: 10.1007/s00442-019-04448-3.
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2019) Contrasting responses of photosynthesis and photochemical efficiency to ocean
acidification under different light environments in a calcifying alga. Scientific Reports, 9(1): 3986.
doi:10.1038/s41598-019-40620-8.
Goldberg, GE, TK Raab, P De Salle, AA Briggs, RB Dunbar, F Millero, R Woosley, HS Young, F Micheli, DJ McCauley (2019)
Chemistry of the consumption and the excretion of the bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), a coral reef
mega-consumer. Coral Reefs. doi:10.1007/s00338-019-01781-0.
CL Wood, JK Baum, SM Walsh, R Trebilco, S Sandin, B Zgliczynski, AA Briggs, F Micheli (2015) Productivity and fishing
pressure drive variability in fish parasite assemblages of the Line Islands, central equatorial Pacific. Ecology, 96(5): 1383-1398.
AA Briggs†, HS Young†, DJ McCauley, SA Hathaway, R Dirzo, RN Fisher (2012) Effects of spatial subsidies and habitat structure
on the foraging ecology and size of geckos. PLoS ONE 7(8): e41364. † authors contributed equally
HS Young, T Raab, DJ McCauley, AA Briggs, and R Dirzo (2010) The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, impacts forest composition
and soil characteristics on Palmyra Atoll, Central Pacific. Journal of Vegetation Science. 21: 1058-1068.
Professional Presentations
Contributed talks
AA Briggs, AL Brown, CW Osenberg (2020) Local vs. site-level effects of algae on coral microbial communities. Western Society
of Naturalists. online-meeting.
AA Briggs, CW Osenberg (2017) Ciguatoxic dinoflagellate densities and the effects of algal biomass and species composition in a
Pacific coral reef. Indo-Pacific Fish Conference. Tahiti, French Polynesia.
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2016) The influence of light on the photosynthetic response of a crustose coralline alga to ocean
acidification, and consequences for other physiological processes. International Coral Reef Symposium. Honolulu, HI.
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2014) The influence of light and photosynthesis on the calcification response of a tropical crustose coralline alga to ocean acidification. Western Society of Naturalists. Tacoma, WA.
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2014) The influence of light and photosynthesis on the calcification response of a crustose coralline alga to ocean acidification. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Jacksonville, FL.
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2013) The influence of photosynthesis on the response of crustose coralline algae to ocean
acidification. Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center. Okinawa, Japan.
AA Briggs, HS Young, DJ McCauley, SA Hathaway, R Dirzo, RN Fisher (2012) Effects of spatial subsidies and habitat structure
on the ecology of two locally dominant geckos. Ecological Society of America. Portland, OR.
AA Briggs, HS Young, DJ McCauley, SA Hathaway, R Dirzo, RN Fisher (2012) Spatial subsidies and habitat structure: the effects
of seabird guano on island geckos in the tropics. Western Society of Naturalists. Seaside, CA.
Poster presentations
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2013) The influence of photosynthesis on the responses of crustose coralline algae to ocean
acidification. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Savannah, GA.
AA Briggs, AL Brown, CW Osenberg (2020) Local vs. site-level effects of algae on coral microbial communities. Western Society
of Naturalists. online-meeting.
AA Briggs, CW Osenberg (2017) Ciguatoxic dinoflagellate densities and the effects of algal biomass and species composition in a
Pacific coral reef. Indo-Pacific Fish Conference. Tahiti, French Polynesia.
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2016) The influence of light on the photosynthetic response of a crustose coralline alga to ocean
acidification, and consequences for other physiological processes. International Coral Reef Symposium. Honolulu, HI.
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2014) The influence of light and photosynthesis on the calcification response of a tropical crustose coralline alga to ocean acidification. Western Society of Naturalists. Tacoma, WA.
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2014) The influence of light and photosynthesis on the calcification response of a crustose coralline alga to ocean acidification. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Jacksonville, FL.
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2013) The influence of photosynthesis on the response of crustose coralline algae to ocean
acidification. Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center. Okinawa, Japan.
AA Briggs, HS Young, DJ McCauley, SA Hathaway, R Dirzo, RN Fisher (2012) Effects of spatial subsidies and habitat structure
on the ecology of two locally dominant geckos. Ecological Society of America. Portland, OR.
AA Briggs, HS Young, DJ McCauley, SA Hathaway, R Dirzo, RN Fisher (2012) Spatial subsidies and habitat structure: the effects
of seabird guano on island geckos in the tropics. Western Society of Naturalists. Seaside, CA.
Poster presentations
AA Briggs, RC Carpenter (2013) The influence of photosynthesis on the responses of crustose coralline algae to ocean
acidification. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Savannah, GA.
Teaching
2021 Teaching Assistant, Ecology Lab (majors), University of Georgia
2020 Teaching Assistant, Coral Reef Ecology, University of Georgia
2019 Co-instructor, ELME: Meta-analysis in ecology (grad-level summer course), KBS, Michigan State University
2019 Instructor, Meta-analysis in ecology & natural sciences (PhD-level), University of Georgia
2017, 2020 Teaching Assistant, Ecology Lab (majors), University of Georgia
2014 Graduate Assistant, Phycology, California State University, Northridge
2012-2014 Teaching Associate, Introductory Biology Lab (non-majors), California State University, Northridge
2012-2013 Graduate Assistant, Introductory Biology Computer Lab (non-majors), California State University, Northridge
2020 Teaching Assistant, Coral Reef Ecology, University of Georgia
2019 Co-instructor, ELME: Meta-analysis in ecology (grad-level summer course), KBS, Michigan State University
2019 Instructor, Meta-analysis in ecology & natural sciences (PhD-level), University of Georgia
2017, 2020 Teaching Assistant, Ecology Lab (majors), University of Georgia
2014 Graduate Assistant, Phycology, California State University, Northridge
2012-2014 Teaching Associate, Introductory Biology Lab (non-majors), California State University, Northridge
2012-2013 Graduate Assistant, Introductory Biology Computer Lab (non-majors), California State University, Northridge
Science Outreach
2015 Science educator at Girls Scout Science Experience Day, Botanic Gardens, Athens, GA
2014 Field science mentor in NSF Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program. Lead an elementary school teacher
during field research in Moorea, French Polynesia,which helped her develop K-12 science curriculum
2013 Guest speaker for environmental science class at The Art Institute of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
2013 Guest speaker in 7th and 8th grade marine biology class and after school program, at
Lawrence Middle School, in Chatsworth, CA
2011 Volunteer teacher for Kids Do Ecology (National Center for Ecological Analysis & Synthesis), in
5th grade classroom at Franklin Elementary, in Santa Barbara, CA
2009 Volunteer science educator at Tabuaeran Atoll Secondary School
2009 Liaison with local government officials and presenter to 7 village councils on Tabuaeran Atoll to communicate
goals and findings of research team’s study of local fishing practices and their environmental impacts
2005-2006 Volunteer teacher for Science and Environmental Education (Stanford University), in 3rd grade classroom in
East Palo Alto, CA
2014 Field science mentor in NSF Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program. Lead an elementary school teacher
during field research in Moorea, French Polynesia,which helped her develop K-12 science curriculum
2013 Guest speaker for environmental science class at The Art Institute of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
2013 Guest speaker in 7th and 8th grade marine biology class and after school program, at
Lawrence Middle School, in Chatsworth, CA
2011 Volunteer teacher for Kids Do Ecology (National Center for Ecological Analysis & Synthesis), in
5th grade classroom at Franklin Elementary, in Santa Barbara, CA
2009 Volunteer science educator at Tabuaeran Atoll Secondary School
2009 Liaison with local government officials and presenter to 7 village councils on Tabuaeran Atoll to communicate
goals and findings of research team’s study of local fishing practices and their environmental impacts
2005-2006 Volunteer teacher for Science and Environmental Education (Stanford University), in 3rd grade classroom in
East Palo Alto, CA
Professional Service
University/department service
2018-2019 Chair, Graduate Student Organization, Odum School of Ecology
2015-Present Diversity committee, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia
2013-2014 President, Women in Science, California State University, Northridge
2012-2013 President, Marine Biology Graduate Student Association, California State University, Northridge
2012-2013 Co-founder, web-designer, Women in Science, California State University, Northridge
2004-2005 Elected representative in Stanford University student government
Peer review
2015-Present Manuscript reviewer for journals:
2018-2019 Chair, Graduate Student Organization, Odum School of Ecology
2015-Present Diversity committee, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia
2013-2014 President, Women in Science, California State University, Northridge
2012-2013 President, Marine Biology Graduate Student Association, California State University, Northridge
2012-2013 Co-founder, web-designer, Women in Science, California State University, Northridge
2004-2005 Elected representative in Stanford University student government
Peer review
2015-Present Manuscript reviewer for journals:
- Ecology, Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, PLoS ONE
Membership in Professional Societies
- International Coral Reef Society
- International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae
© Amy A. Briggs, 2014
