NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center Graduate Scholar, Shanelle Haughton, has accepted a one-year fellowship with the NOAA Educational Partnership Program for Minority Serving Institutions Graduate Fellowship Program. Haughton, who is pursuing her Ph.D. in the Marine, Estuarine and Environmental Science program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, will begin her internship in early 2022 at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, located in Seattle.
The competitive graduate fellowship is in its inaugural year, making Haughton one of only three candidates to earn the award. The pilot program was created to provide graduate students supported at NOAA’s cooperative science centers the opportunity to gain professional development and training at a NOAA facility. The initiative also serves to provide young scholars with opportunities to collaborate with NOAA mentors who can provide guidance and serve as advisors to interns as they take advantage of experiential opportunities.
“This program will position me to make key connections with NOAA scientists and mentors, which will elevate not just my research, but also my research opportunities,” stated Haughton. “I hope to network and meet a number of employees at NOAA, for I would like to work for the agency after I graduate.”
During her fellowship, Haughton will work under the mentorship of Dr. Ingrid Spies as she continues to conduct research for her dissertation. The doctoral scholar’s work focuses on molecular biology and bioinformatics, with her observing how the Hematodinium parasite affects crustaceans, specifically the economically important Tanner crab.
Research on the Hematodinium parasite became prevalent in the 1980s, but the issue has become progressively worse over the past decades.
“The Eastern Bering Sea has seen a great decline in their snow crab population due to an increase in parasites,” stated Haughton. “Because of the increased temperatures of the seas, it has become a breeding ground for parasites and they are attacking the fisheries population. The Eastern Bering Sea snow crab fishery is one of the largest and most valuable crab fisheries in the world, but with the rapid decline in the crustacean population, much of our snow crab now comes from other countries, not to mention the adverse economic impact these parasites have on commercial watermen.”
When the Hematodinium parasite infects the crustacean, the crab eventually dies. In addition, the crab cannot be used for public consumption due to the infection causing Bitter Crab Disease, a condition that causes the tissues of the crab to look milky and taste bitter.
“When watermen observe diseased crabs, they are disposed of right away,” said Haughton. “All infected crabs are identified at sea or during seafood processing and then are properly disposed of, so it never reaches the consumer.”
When it comes to crustaceans, one cannot help but see the passion Haughton has for her research, and for the opportunity to work with NOAA. The fourth year doctoral student has spent years learning, discovering and observing how the Tanner Crab species has been affected by parasites that are wreaking havoc due to the globe’s increased water temperatures.
“Being awarded this fellowship will allow me to collaborate and create connections that will surely impact the trajectory of my career,” said Haughton. “I’m very excited and humbled to have the opportunity to work for NOAA, become even more polished in the field of research and learn from such esteemed professionals.”
