From the Academy to Research Associate at GMGI: Annie

There are several types of marine species that are notoriously difficult to detect using eDNA sampling methods. The hard scales on sharks, rays, and skates, as well as the sea turtles’ keratinous shells, make it difficult for these species to show up on water samples.

Annie Masterman, a Research Associate on the fisheries team at GMGI, has been working to expand our environmental DNA (eDNA) workflows, exploring ways to effectively detect elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays) and sea turtles simultaneously with teleost (bony) fish data. Our standard eDNA methods detect the full complement of teleost fish, which make up the majority of commercially important fish species, but it is critical to improve the value of eDNA data by maximizing the vertebrate biodiversity detected while maintaining representative data for teleosts.

Elasmobranchs and sea turtles play vital ecological roles, and many are protected species of conservation concern whose detection can trigger regulatory action. This eDNA method allows us to track species distribution and habitat usage, and provides localized marine biodiversity information, which can then be applied to sustainable fisheries practices, conservation, and much more. These data can be used by state and federal regulators, conservation and protected species groups, and will be shared with the eDNA field to continually expand and improve laboratory methods.

Prior to joining Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, Annie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of Alaska Southeast and spent five years as a fisheries laboratory technician at the NOAA Auke Bay Laboratory in Juneau, Alaska. The Academy helped her hone skills in molecular biology, and her co-op at Ginkgo Bioworks provided her with invaluable experience in a biotechnology setting. After completing the Academy’s training program, she interviewed with the fisheries team at GMGI, wanting to explore the marine environment through molecular tools and apply those methods to ecosystem monitoring and species conservation. Today she’s a valuable part of the team, combining her laboratory skills to answer questions and contribute to the fisheries team’s meaningful research in Massachusetts.