Q & A with Alanna 

1. City of residence: I currently live in Mansfield, MA and commute into New Bedford, MA for my PhD program.

2. Place of birth: Springfield, MA and grew up in Suffield, CT

3. Can you please give us a brief overview of the research you’re currently working on?

For my thesis project I am working on establishing natal origin and larval feeding habits of Atlantic bluefin tuna using stable isotope analysis, which just means I use chemical signatures to figure out where these baby fish were born and what they eat.

4. What is the most challenging aspect of the work you’re doing? 

The most challenging part in larval fish studies in general is working with limited samples, as ship time is difficult to come by and successful collections are based a lot on luck.

5. What has been the most interesting/surprising/challenging thing you’ve learned when it comes to sustainable living, environmentalism, human behavior, etc. since you’ve started your eco-friendly living journey? 

When I first started my eco-friendly journey I was really focused on my plastic footprint, but now that I am a few years into my sustainability journey at this point I am most excited about implementing a holistic approach, combining factors like carbon footprint and composting and living as locally as I can to reduce my impact.

6. If you could share just one piece of wisdom with the world, what would it be? 

Climate change is the greatest threat of our time. We all need to take personal responsibility for changing our habits, and support politicians and businesses that prioritize our future.

7. Quote you (try to) live by? Live every day like its Earth Day.

8. Using one word, how would you describe yourself? Informed.

9. What is one random fact that most people don’t know about you? I am a huge Harry Potter fan and went to almost every midnight book release and movie premier.