This summer, Karson Burton-Reeder, a graduate student at the University of the Pacific, is living and working in Madagascar with the Global Sustainability Scholars Fellows program. Her work will support the ARMS Restore Project, which aims to rebuild coral reefs to restore biodiversity, build fisheries, and improve human health. Burton-Reeder is a huge fan of sharks: “The bigger the better, the more the merrier!” she said. Her graduate research focuses on identifying markers of health, stress, and pollution exposure in four species of coastal sharks. When Burton-Reeder was an undergraduate student, she spent some time in Guadeloupe, living with a host family, snorkeling, and immersing herself in the culture of the island. If you ever catch her doing karaoke, there’s a good chance she’ll be singing “Buy U a Drank” by T-Pain.

Humans of CIRES Q&A

Q: What will you be working on with GSS this summer?
As a GSS fellow collaborating with CIRES, I will be traveling to Madagascar to assist with the autonomous reef monitoring systems (ARMS) Restore Project, which aims to rebuild coral reefs using passive ARMS to restore biodiversity, build fisheries, and improve human health. The project collects reef biodiversity from healthy reefs and transfers it to limestone artificial reefs, enhancing fisheries yields and human health. I am also a graduate student at the University of the Pacific where my research focuses on identifying novel markers of health, stress, and pollution exposure in four coastal shark species using proteomics and sequencing techniques.

Q: Where is the most exciting place you’ve traveled to for your research/job?
In undergrad, I had the opportunity to travel abroad to Guadeloupe (the butterfly island), where I spent spring break with a host family, learning French, participating in snorkeling, cooking, and galavanting excursions while being fully immersed in the rich culture and the dynamic people of the island.

Q: Dogs or cats?
SHARKS, the bigger the better, the more the merrier!

Q: What is your go-to karaoke song?
My go-to karaoke song is hands down “Buy U a Drank” by T-Pain.