Undergrad Marine Biology Research Trip: Student Story – University of Nevada, Reno

Report on Collaborative Research for Marine Ecosystem Restoration

Introduction: A Mission Aligned with Global Sustainability Goals

A multi-stakeholder research initiative was conducted in the Gulf of Mexico to support the restoration of Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities. These communities sustained significant injury following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The mission represents a critical partnership between academic institutions, including the University of Nevada, Reno, and federal agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of the Interior. The research focuses on analyzing deep-sea sediments and the microscopic organisms (meiofauna) within them to assess ecosystem health and recovery, directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Project Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The research cruise and subsequent laboratory analysis are fundamentally linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The project’s primary contributions are centered on environmental protection, scientific capacity-building, and education.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The core objective is to advance scientific knowledge for the conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems. By collecting and analyzing deep-sea sediment, the project directly supports Target 14.2 (sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts) and Target 14.a (increase scientific knowledge and develop research capacity to improve ocean health). The data gathered is essential for mitigating the long-term effects of marine pollution, as outlined in Target 14.1.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: This initiative is a model of a multi-stakeholder partnership (Target 17.17), combining the resources and expertise of academia (University of Nevada, Reno) and government (NOAA, Department of the Interior) to address a complex environmental challenge.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The use of a dedicated research vessel and advanced laboratory techniques for meiofauna analysis demonstrates the application of scientific innovation (Target 9.5) to enhance environmental monitoring and restoration efforts.

Educational Impact and Development of Future Scientists

A significant component of the mission is its role in providing high-impact educational and research experiences for undergraduate students. This aspect of the project strongly supports goals related to education and professional development.

Key Outcomes for Student Researchers:

1. Practical Skill Development: Students gain hands-on experience in marine biology fieldwork, including sample collection at sea and subsequent laboratory analysis. This practical training is crucial for developing a skilled scientific workforce, aligning with SDG 4: Quality Education (Target 4.4).
2. Mentorship and Professional Growth: Programs such as the University of Nevada, Reno’s Pack Research Experience Program (PREP) provide structured entry points into scientific research. Mentorship from faculty, such as Dr. Elisa Baldrighi, is instrumental in building student confidence and competence, transforming academic interest into a viable career path.
3. Fostering Conservation Leadership: By involving students in tangible environmental restoration work, the program instills a deep understanding of conservation challenges. This experience helps cultivate the next generation of marine biologists and ocean conservationists, contributing to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by preparing students for careers in the sustainable blue economy.

Conclusion: An Integrated Approach to Restoration and Capacity-Building

The research cruise to the Gulf of Mexico exemplifies an integrated approach to addressing environmental degradation. It successfully combines the critical scientific objective of ecosystem restoration with the equally important goal of educating and inspiring future leaders in marine science. By directly contributing to SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), this collaborative initiative serves as a powerful model for how scientific research can simultaneously advance environmental recovery and build human capacity for a sustainable future.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The article’s central theme is a research mission to address the consequences of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The project’s explicit goal is to “support the restoration of Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities,” which directly relates to the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources. The research involves collecting “deep-sea mud” to study microorganisms, aiming to understand and mitigate the damage caused by marine pollution.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The narrative is told from the perspective of an undergraduate student, Hiroka Winter, and details her transformative experience in a university research program. It highlights the importance of hands-on learning opportunities, such as the “Pack Research Experience Program (PREP),” in higher education. The article emphasizes how this experience provided her with “an abundance of lab experience in the marine biology field,” built her confidence, and solidified her career path, thus showcasing quality education in action.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The research cruise is described as a collaborative effort. The article explicitly states that the University of Nevada, Reno crew worked alongside the “National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of the Interior and other partners.” This multi-stakeholder partnership between academia and government agencies to achieve a common environmental goal is a clear example of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

1. Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds. The research is a direct response to a major marine pollution event, the “2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.” The study of its impact on deep-sea communities is a critical step in understanding and mitigating the effects of such pollution.
2. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration. The mission’s stated purpose is to “support the restoration of Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities injured” by the oil spill, which is a direct action for ecosystem restoration.
3. Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology. The entire research cruise, involving the collection of “sediment samples from the Gulf of Mexico” and the study of “microscopic organisms called meiofauna,” contributes to scientific knowledge about deep-sea ecosystems and their recovery, thereby enhancing research capacity.

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university. The article showcases the “Pack Research Experience Program (PREP)” at the University of Nevada, Reno, which provides undergraduate students with access to high-quality, specialized research opportunities within their tertiary education.
2. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The narrator explicitly states that through the program, her “skills as a researcher grew quickly” and she gained valuable “lab experience in the marine biology field,” which are relevant technical skills for her future career as a “marine biologist and ocean conservationist.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article describes a partnership involving a public university (“University of Nevada, Reno”), public government agencies (“National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of the Interior”), and “other partners.” This collaboration to conduct scientific research for environmental restoration exemplifies an effective public partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Implied Indicator: The health and biodiversity of deep-sea benthic communities. The article mentions the “observation of microorganisms called meiofauna” within “deep-sea sediments.” The population density, diversity, and health of this meiofauna serve as a direct biological indicator to measure the extent of damage from the oil spill and the progress of ecosystem restoration over time.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Mentioned/Implied Indicator: Participation of undergraduate students in formal research programs. The article explicitly names the “Pack Research Experience Program (PREP).” The number of students enrolled in such programs can be a quantitative indicator of access to quality hands-on learning experiences in tertiary education. The narrator’s testimony of her skills and confidence growing is a qualitative indicator of the program’s effectiveness.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Mentioned Indicator: The existence and composition of multi-stakeholder partnerships. The article provides a direct indicator by naming the specific institutions involved in the collaboration: the “University of Nevada, Reno,” the “National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),” and “the Department of the Interior.” The formation and operation of such cross-sector partnerships for a common goal is a measure of progress.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: unr.edu