Marine Fisheries Research: Angela Collins

Degrees
B.S. Florida Atlantic University, 1998
M.S. University of South Florida, 2005
Ph.D. University of South Florida, in progress

Experience
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
May 2005 - present
Assistant Research Scientist

Responsibilities: Principal Investigator (PI) for Goliath grouper Cooperative Research Project (CRP); Lead biologist and subsequent PI for Hogfish CRP

Mote Marine Laboratory
May 2003 - May 2005
Staff biologist

Responsibilities: Tracking sharks and rays with acoustic telemetry

University of South Florida
Teaching assistant, August 2002 - June 2003

Responsibilities: Taught Biology Lab (I and II)

Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON)
October 2000 - June 2002
Research Assistant

Responsibilities: Scientific diver for monitoring station in Gulf of Mexico

Walt Disney World
January 1999 - October 2000
Aquarist for Epcot Center's The Living Seas

Responsibilities: Animal care, public interaction, aquarium maintenance

What are you working on now?
My primary interests focus on reef fish ecology. My first project at FWRI investigated the life history of hogfish, and I am currently working on the Goliath grouper cooperative research project. This project is investigating abundance and distribution of goliath grouper within the offshore waters of the central eastern Gulf of Mexico.

How is this information beneficial?
Goliath grouper are a protected species, which means that typical methods used to monitor the status of the stock (i.e., landings data) are not available. My project addresses this issue using underwater visual surveys to quantify the density and size distribution of goliath grouper at specific sites over time. This information can be used to help assess the state of the goliath grouper population within the study region.

Was this your original career interest?
Why or why not? Marine biology has been my career interest for as long as I can remember. ..I narrowed it down to fish ecology pretty early on. Why? Because fish are cool.

What is your biggest accomplishment?
Being able to do what I love to do every day.

What do you like most about your career?
I am never, ever bored.

What do you like least about your career?
I am never, ever bored.

What are some of your biggest challenges?
The weather and the animals don't always cooperate with your research plans.

What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in your field?
Work hard, read a lot, and always remember to use eardrops (50:50, isopropyl: vinegar) when you get out of the water.