Rachel was born and raised in a small town in southeast Ohio. She graduated from Summit Country Day school in Cincinnati, Ohio and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine science from UH Hilo. After graduating she hopes to pursue a masters in conservation biology. Rachel enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her friends and family. Once finished with her education Rachel hopes to move overseas and continue with research and conservation of endangered and threatened marine species.
Home Island: Mainland
High School: Summit Country Day High School
Institution when accepted: University of Hawaii at Hilo
Project Site: Blue Ocean Barnes, Kona, Big Island HI
Mentor: Liam Moin
Project Title: Evaluation of Tank Materials for Mitigation of Non-Target Species in Methanogenesis-Inhibiting Algae Cultures
Project Abstract: Methanogenesis is an anaerobic respiration performed by small microbes that generate methane during metabolism. This process is most noticeable in the gut of ruminant animals, such as cows, which are the leading contributors to methane emissions in the atmosphere. The algae grown at Blue Ocean Barns, Asparagopsis taxiformis, is a methanogenesis-inhibiting algae, which when incorporated into livestock feed decreases their methane production by up to 80%. The goal of this project is to increase the efficiency of growing this algae by mitigating the growth of non-target species (NTS). The growth of NTS negatively impacts the A. tax by growing at the surface and blocking sunlight as well as taking up vital nutrients and other resources. I have developed a series of experiments to determine which tank materials NTS are least likely to colonize. Seven different materials including tank liners, coatings, and sealants, with three replicates of each, were anchored to the side of a 5,000-liter tank on the water line. Twice a week imaging was performed to assess NTS coverage, complemented by weekly swabbing and microscopic analysis to characterize the NTS community. The results of this experiment will provide vital information to design NTS-resistant tanks used in the commercial cultivation of methanogenesis-inhibiting algae.