Alyssa Thomas
Alyssa is one of five recipients of the scholarship for 2020/2021 and will spend the summer researching Greenshell mussel behavioural responses to changing environmental pressures.
The research aims to recognise the influence of Māori moon phases (maramataka) in these responses. Alyssa will work alongside Cawthron scientists to investigate how the gaping rate (opening and closing of the shell) and heart rate are affected by temperature increase, light variations and current flow, and whether these pressures influence the natural lunar rhythms.
HotSource: What was your motivation for studying shellfish behaviour?
Alyssa Thomas: The project at Cawthron was particularly appealing to me because I felt I could apply my learning and knowledge from all aspects of my degree towards the impacts of shellfish behaviour in a changing environment. At University one of my majors is Physical Geography, part of which dives into the impacts of climate change and ‘warming waters’. My other major is Development Studies, which ties into my minor in Māori Studies. An important aspect of this project is to recognise underlying natural rhythms of mātauranga Māori, and in this case, recognise the patterns of the moon phases (maramataka). It is a pleasure to be chosen to begin this ground-breaking research through a new outlook of science!
What about this project excites you most?
I am excited to apply a mātauranga Māori perspective to science and biology while here at Cawthron. As part of our project, not only are we investigating shellfish responses to changing environmental pressures, we are also recognising their response to the Maori moon phases, and how these too are skewed by climate change.
Do you have any advice for other young people wanting to get into the same industry?
I believe science is one of the most important industries right now. Climate change is inevitable, and we can learn a lot by listening to the responses of animals like shellfish. My advice for young people wanting to get into the science industry would be to put yourself out there and dive into the deep end, apply for opportunities to get hands-on experience, like my summer scholarship with Cawthron. We can all play a part in helping the industry thrive by offering new perspectives!!
What’s something you’ve learnt this year that has really surprised you?
This is a harder one to answer. My mind jumped straight to COVID-19, where I spent a few months back at home during lockdown but continued to study. I learnt a lot about how we all responded differently to this situation. I have realised that we are not so different from animals such as mussels – we exhibit unique and individual behavioural responses to the same overarching change in environment. It surprised me to see such diverse responses, both locally and globally. I feel extremely grateful to be in New Zealand’s bubble. I am excited to apply this insight to my project at Cawthron, it creates a dynamic and quite fascinating base for the project overall!
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