Kerry Dykens, M.S.

Education

M.S. Oceanography, 2021, University of New Hampshire

B.S. Interdisciplinary Engineering, 2018, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Research Interests

Kerry’s enthusiasm for sustainability, ocean health, and more specifically, seaweed, ultimately led her to the role of Macroalgal Curator at Bigelow. She received a Master’s degree in Oceanography from the University of New Hampshire, and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology. She has worked on developing early-detectiontechnology for the red tide algae, Karenia Brevis, explored the potential impacts that climate change may have on microbially-mediated geochemical cycles in the Gulf of Maine, and cultivated kelp from spores in the lab to blades “planted” in the fresh cold waters of Casco Bay (to be later harvested for products). At the NCMA, Kerry is responsible for maintaining, propagating, and preserving the macroalgal strains of the NCMA collection. She monitors growth, size, color, and overall health via microscopy and keeps detailed records and photo journals of the strains. She is excited by the potential impact of these seaweeds, as they are important to scientific, medical, and academic research, and to sustainable regenerative food production, and more.