彩神vlll争霸

Sean Mueller graduated from Prince William Sound College (PWSC) with an associate degree in fall 2024. Last month, he returned to Alaska to present his research on kelp farming at the , held in Anchorage Jan. 27-31. 鈥淚 ended up staying almost an hour later talking about my poster,鈥� Mueller explained. 鈥淭here was a lot of interest in the work that we鈥檙e doing.鈥�

Mueller currently resides in his hometown of San Francisco, California. He initially discovered PWSC through a TikTok video about immersive educational opportunities and contacted the college the following day to learn more. Mueller went on to complete PWSC鈥檚 marine natural resources technician (MNRT) occupational endorsement certificate (OEC) and natural resources technician (NRT) OEC for free in addition to his associate degree.

While studying in the MNRT program in the spring 2024 semester, Mueller was presented with the opportunity to begin his research in mariculture by Amanda Glazier, Ph.D., assistant professor of biological sciences. 

Developing laboratory methods

Mueller鈥檚 research focused on testing laboratory methods that could help establish kelp farms in Prince William Sound. The project involved preparing kelp sorus 鈥� the reproductive tissue in kelp 鈥� to induce spore release. 

The first step in the process is to prepare the sorus by cleaning it to remove any dead tissue or biofouling like barnacles that may have built up on the kelp. Mueller would soak the sorus samples in an iodine solution, then use a razor to scrape off biofouling.  

鈥淵ou don't want cross contaminants and excess growth in your incubator,鈥� Mueller explained. 鈥淵ou want it to be as clean as possible.鈥�

The cleaned tissue is then placed inside a refrigerator for 24 hours. The cold and dark of the interior of the refrigerator causes the sorus to release the kelp鈥檚 reproductive spores. Mueller was able to collect spores from samples of bull kelp and sugar kelp provided by the Native Village of Eyak, .

In the future, the techniques Mueller tested in the lab could be used to collect kelp spores to attach to farm lines to establish additional kelp farms. 

Creating local economic opportunities

Mueller鈥檚 research is just one of several mariculture projects at PWSC in recent years under Glazier鈥檚 guidance. According to Mueller, the PWSC mariculture projects could offer economic opportunities for Valdez and neighboring coastal communities through potential jobs related to kelp farming and by 鈥渟upporting the local fishing industry through improved ocean health.鈥� 

The City of Valdez maintains an active interest in for local economic opportunities and has partnered with PWSC to to visit PWSC鈥檚 mariculture research site in Port Valdez.

Mueller envisions a future economic sector in Valdez where mariculture provides jobs both in farming and in processing seaweeds for the market. Kelp and other seaweeds can be used to produce an array of consumer products as well as edible produce like 鈥渘ori for sushi or bull kelp pickles or relish,鈥� said Mueller.

Restoring marine habitats

Mariculture also holds the potential to help with environmental restoration. In his presentation at AMSS, Mueller stated that 鈥渆stablishing a kelp farm in Valdez ultimately represents a forward-thinking approach to environmental stewardship.鈥� 

The lab techniques tested in Mueller鈥檚 project could be used to reestablish kelp forests, which can provide habitat for other species and enhance biodiversity. 鈥淥tters love kelp forests because they provide shelter, and there's a lot of food nearby,鈥� he explained.

Mueller envisions kelp farming one day playing a role in combating global environmental problems like ocean acidification, water quality and climate change. He stated that the research at PWSC 鈥渓ays the groundwork for future studies on kelp鈥檚 potential role as a carbon sink.鈥� If Mueller is correct, future kelp farms in Alaska could help address climate change by capturing more atmospheric carbon dioxide than they release.

Looking ahead

Mueller plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in the sciences in the near future. 鈥淚t's tough to say exactly which career path I want to go, but I want to be outdoors and getting my hands in the natural world,鈥� said Mueller. 

As Mueller considers his future education and career options, he is grateful for the opportunities he had at PWSC. 

鈥淭here鈥檚 not many other places where you can have such in-depth research projects, and that鈥檚 due to Amanda Glazier鈥檚 programs,鈥� Mueller explained, 鈥淭hey鈥檙e really important programs and I think anyone who enjoys the natural world, enjoys natural sciences, should really consider coming to Prince William Sound College.鈥�