MPCBiology

03/17/2026

Thanks to MBARI for always being such amazing hosts to our students! Rob, Chris, Shannon, and Megan all did a fantastic job of telling our marine biology students about their roles and research.

03/07/2026

Applications are now open for this summer‘s ROV summer Come to LS 104 this Wednesday at 1:00 to learn more!

02/19/2026

Cool seminar next Monday at CSUMB.

11/16/2025

Natural Sciences Seminar Series at CSUMB invites you to attend next week's seminar on Monday, November 17th, 2025 from 4pm - 5pm on the first floor of Chapman Science Academic Center in Room E-104.

The closest parking lots are 13, 59, and 71. The largest parking lots, #59 and #71, always have plenty of parking available.

Speaker: Dash Dunkell, Conservation Director for the Elkhorn Slough Foundation
Seminar Title: Conservation Near the Coast: How do you find work doing what you love where you love?

Abstract: Dash has worked on environmental conservation projects in California, Colombia, Chile, and Hawaii. As Conservation Director for the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Dash manages over 4,000 acres of protected lands, including 5 organic farms, a historic cattle ranch, and many, many habitat restoration projects. Dash will talk about his winding path to living and working near the ocean, while doing something personally meaningful and globally important. He will also discuss his current work at the Elkhorn Slough Foundation and future opportunities at the slough.

09/03/2025

The Natural Sciences Seminar Series at CSUMB warmly invites you to attend next week's seminar on Monday, September 8, 2025 from 4pm - 5pm on the first floor of Chapman Science Academic Center in Room E-104.

Speaker: Gita Kolluru, PhD, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Seminar Title: Sexual Selection in Livebearing Fishes

Abstract: Sexual selection generates elaborate phenotypes that may be costly because they use limited resources and generate sexual conflict. My research focuses on how the costs and benefits of sexually selected traits result in intraspecific variation and trait correlations in livebearing fishes (Poeciliidae). I discuss the results from studies of several livebearer species that quantify sexual selection on behavior, coloration, and body size, and assess the influence of social and abiotic environmental factors on the expression of these traits. This work is the product of collaboration with mentors, colleagues, and students, and I intersperse my research findings with anecdotes about my career trajectory.

The closest parking lots are 13, 59, and 71. The largest parking lots, #59 and #71, always has plenty of parking available.

05/31/2025

Happy Birthday to Rachel Carson — a true pioneer in environmental conservation!

Born on this day in 1907, Rachel Carson was a marine biologist, author, and proud former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee. Her groundbreaking book Silent Spring (1962) raised public awareness about the dangers of pesticides and sparked a national movement that helped launch the modern environmental era.

Her legacy lives on in every effort to protect our air, water, wildlife, and natural spaces. Carson showed the world that one voice — grounded in science and guided by conscience — can truly make a difference.

As we remember her today, we reflect on her powerful words:

“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.”

Happy Birthday, Rachel Carson — and thank you for inspiring generations to care for the Earth.

Image of Rachel Carson courtesy of USFWS Museum and Archives.

04/17/2025

Check out this cool project from a MPC student. One of our biology students has set up a bird camera outside our life science building. Currently there is a livestream to the ornithology case (the one with all the taxidermied birds) in the first floor of the life science building and the youtube link below has some highlights.

It would be amazing if some of you could follow the page linked - if he gets 50 subscribers on the channel it will allow for us to livestream the feed online, rather than just on the tablet in life science.

Subscribe to the channel to help!

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

03/14/2025

03/12/2025

Join Dr. Raskoff tomorrow from 1-2:00 in LS104 to learn about the ROV summer internships and hear from students who participated last year!

03/07/2025

Cool talk coming up at CSUMB.

02/26/2025

The Environmental Club is sponsoring a free screening next week of the award-winning documentary The Cigarette Surfboard. The film explores surfing, marine pollution, and ocean conservation. The director will screen the movie, show off one of the boards, and answer questions in a Q&A afterwards.
Date: Tuesday, March 4th.
Time: 6:00-9:00 pm
Location: MPC Lecture Forum room 102
Please use the QR Code or link below to reserve a seat! Current MPC students and staff only. Please share with your MPC classmates and professors.

Join us in Lecture Forum 102 for a screening of The Cigarette Surfboard, presented by the California Coastal Commission's Whale Tail Grant