Becker CV 20240219
Becker CV 20240219
Becker CV 20240219
EDUCATION
2020 – 2024 PhD University of Rhode Island (URI), Ph.D. Candidate in Biological and
Environmental Sciences, Specialization: Evolution and Marine Biology
Dissertation: Learning from the past: Environmental impacts on coral
performance, reproduction, and epigenetic inheritance
Advisor: Dr. Hollie Putnam
2018 – 2020 MSc California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Master of Science in Biology,
Honors Biology
Dissertation: The influence of nutrient and sediment loading on multiple facets
of coral functionality in branching coral species
Advisor: Dr. Nyssa Silbiger
POSTITIONS HELD
2020 – present Graduate Research Assistant | URI
2020 – present Graduate Teaching Assistant | URI
2018 – 2020 Graduate Research Assistant | CSUN
2018 – 2020 Graduate Teaching Assistant | CSUN
2016 – 2018 Research Assistant | Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS)
2016 – 2018 Teaching Assistant | BIOS
2017 Coral Reef Conservation Research Assistant | Velaa Private Island | Maldives
2017 Exhibit Curator and Education Coordinator | Stokes Nature Center | Logan, UT
2016 Galbraith/Wardman Fellow | BIOS and Eckerd College
2015 – 2016 Research Services Volunteer | US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Marine Mammal
Pathobiology Laboratory | St. Petersburg, FL
2011 – 2016 Research Assistant | Rainbow River Turtle Project | Eckerd College
2015 Research Assistant | US Agency of International Development | Nature Seychelles
Coral Reef Restoration Program
2015 Research Assistant | Eckerd College Dolphin Project, Tampa Bay, FL
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-reviewed publications
8. Ashey J, McKelvie H, Freeman J, Shpilker P, Zane LH, Becker DM, Cowen L, Richmond RH,
Paul VJ, Seneca FO, Putnam HM. 2024. Characterizing transcriptomic responses to sediment
stress across location and morphology in reef-building corals. PeerJ. 2024 Jan 30;12:e16654.
7. Becker, DM, Griffin, J, and Miller, C, 2022. Identifying factors that contribute to positive and
negative student experiences at field-based institutions. Women of the wild: challenging gender
disparities in field stations and marine laboratories. Lexington Books, Lanham, MD.
6. Becker DM, Busch L, Debinski DM, Fogel M, Griffin JE, Holliday GM, Hussein-Shannan Y,
Kloeppel BD, Oktay SD, Miller CM, Roketenetz LD. 2022. Women of the wild: challenging
gender disparities in field stations and marine laboratories. Rowman & Littlefield
5. Wong KH, Goodbody-Gringley G, de Putron SJ, Becker DM, Chequer A, Putnam HM. 2021.
Brooded coral offspring physiology depends on the combined effects of parental press and pulse
thermal history. Global Change Biology, 27(13), 3179-3195.
4. Becker DM, Putnam HM, Burkepile DE, Adam TC, Vega Thurber R, and Silbiger NJ. 2021.
Chronic low-level nutrient enrichment benefits coral thermal performance in a fore reef habitat.
Coral Reefs, 40(5), 1637-1655.
3. Becker, D. M., Silbiger, N. J. 2020. Nutrient and sediment loading affect multiple facets of coral
functionality in a tropical branching coral, Journal of Experimental Biology, 223(21), jeb225045.
2. Goodbody-Gringley, G., Wong, K.H., Becker, D.M., Glennon, K., and de Putron, S.J. 2018.
Recruitment potential of the brooding coral, Porites astreoides, increases from shallow to
mesophotic zones, Coral Reefs, 37:483–494
1. van Ginkel, C., Becker, D.M., Gowans, S. and Simard, P. 2017. Whistling in a noisy ocean:
bottlenose dolphins adjust whistle frequencies in response to real-time ambient noise levels,
Bioacoustics, 27:391–405
In review and preparation
Huffmyer, AS, Wong, KH, Becker, DM, Strand, E, Mass, T, Putnam, HM. 2023. Nutritional exchange
between reef-building corals and algal endosymbionts buffers the energetic demand of larval
development and metamorphosis. In revision. Available on bioRxiv.
Becker, DM, Strand, E, Silbiger, NJ, Roberts, SB, Huffmyer, AS, Putnam, HM. Nutrient-enhanced
symbiont performance modulates coral host gene expression and DNA methylation. Planned
submission Spring 2024.
Becker, DM and Putnam, HM. Gametogenesis and reproductive pattern of the reef-building coral
Acropora pulchra in Moorea, French Polynesia. Planned submission Spring 2024.
Becker, DM, Huffmyer, AS, Zane, L, Atger, Terava, Putnam, HM. Learning from the past: Impacts of
marine heatwaves on cross-generational acclimatization and epigenetic inheritance of Acropora
pulchra in Moorea, French Polynesia. Planned submission Fall 2024
2020 URI | Dean of the Graduate School Enhancement of Graduate Research Award
($1,000)
2020 CSUN, Department of Biology Donald E. Bianchi Outstanding Graduate Research
Award ($400)
2019 CSUN, Scholarship Department Mabel Wilson Richards Scholarship ($2,500)
2019 CSUN, Research and Graduate Studies Travel Award ($500)
2019 CSUN, Research and Graduate Studies Travel Award ($500)
2019 CSUN, College of Science and Mathematics Graduate Promise in Research
Fellowship ($5,000)
2019 CSUN, College of Science and Mathematics Leslie and Terry Cutler Scholarship
($2,000)
2019 CSUN, Research and Graduate Studies Robert H. Schiffman Memorial Award for
Outstanding Research Promise ($750)
2019 CSUN, Office of Graduate Studies Thesis/Dissertation Support Program ($900)
2018 American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), Masters Research Scholarship
($1,500)
2018 CSUN, Office of Graduate Studies Graduate Equity Fellowship ($3,000)
2018 CSUN, Associated Students Scholarship ($2,000)
2018 CSUN, Office of Graduate Studies Out of State Fees Waiver ($3,000)
2018 CSUN, Department of Biology Tuition Waiver ($7,300 annually)
2017 BIOS, University Programs Scholarship ($2,000)
2016 BIOS, University Programs Scholarship ($2,000)
2016 BIOS & Eckerd College, Galbraith/Wardman Fellowship ($2,000)
2014 – 2016 Eckerd College, Trustee Academic Scholarship ($10,000 annually)
PRESENTATIONS
Oral Presentations
14. Becker, D.M.*, 2024. Learning from the past: Impacts of marine heatwaves on cross-generational
acclimatization and environmental memory. 2024 Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
Meeting. Finalist in the Division of Ecology and Evolution Best Student Presentation Huey Award.
Seattle, WA.
13. Becker, D.M.*, 2023. Learning from the past: Impacts of marine heatwaves on cross-generational
acclimatization and environmental memory. 2023 Benthic Ecology Meeting. Miami, FL.
12. Becker, D.M.*, et al. 2023. Gametogenesis and reproductive pattern of the reef-building coral
Acropora pulchra in Moorea, French Polynesia. Moorea Coral Reef LTER All Investigators Meeting.
Virtual presentation.
11. Becker, D.M.*, et al. 2022. Learning from the past: Impacts of marine heatwaves on cross
generational acclimatization and epigenetic inheritance of Acropora pulchra in Moorea, French
Polynesia. Moorea Coral Reef LTER All Investigators Meeting. Virtual presentation.
10. Becker, D.M.*, et al. 2021. Nutrient-enhanced symbiont performance modulates coral hosts gene
expression and DNA methylation. All-Hands URoL E5 Coral Epigenetics Meeting.
9. Becker, D.M.*, et al. 2020. Molecular Underpinnings of Enhanced Thermal Performance due to
Chronic Low Nutrient Enrichment. All-Hands URoL E5 Coral Epigenetics Meeting.
8. Becker, D.M.*, 2020. The influence of nutrient and sediment loading on multiple facets of coral
functionality in branching coral species. Thesis Defense; May 13th, 2020.
7. Becker, D.M.*, Silbiger, N.J., 2019. Investigating the influence of nutrient enrichment coral thermal
performance in a branching coral species. CSUNposium (24th Annual Student Research and Creative
Works Symposium).
6. Becker, D.M.*, Silbiger, N.J., 2019. Investigating the effects of nutrient and sediment loading on
coral thermal tolerance in a branching coral species. Moorea Coral Reef Long-term Ecological
Research (MCR LTER) All Investigators Meeting.
5. Becker, D.M.*, Silbiger, N.J., 2019. Investigating the effects of nutrient and sediment loading on
coral thermal tolerance in a branching coral species. Western Society of Naturalists Annual Meeting.
4. Becker, D.M.*, Silbiger, N.J., 2019. Investigating the effects of land-based pollution on coral thermal
tolerance in a branching coral species, Pocillopora acuta. CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and
Technology (COAST) Annual Meeting, Lightning Talk.
3. Becker, D.M.*, Simard, P. 2016. Whistling in a noisy ocean: bottlenose dolphins adjust whistle
frequencies in response to real-time ambient noise levels. Eckerd College Scientific Research
Symposium. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL.
2. Becker, D.M.*, Barry, M., and Goldstein, N. 2016. Examining the abundance of microplastics in
sediment within Tampa Bay. Chemical and Physical Oceanography Research Symposium. Eckerd
College, St. Petersburg, FL.
1. Goodbody-Gringley, G.*, Wong, K.H., Becker, D.M., Glennon, K., and de Putron, S. 2017.
Reproductive ecology and early life history traits of the brooding coral, Porites astreoides, from
shallow to mesophotic zones. European Coral Reef Symposium, Oxford, England.
Invited Seminars
6. Becker, D.M.*, 2023. Research and Policy. United States Earth Science Organization Leadership in
Earth and Environmental Sciences (LEES) Program (~50 attendees).
5. Becker, D.M.*, 2021. Investigating the influence of nutrient enrichment on coral thermal tolerance.
Chicago Shedd Aquarium Lunch and Learn Seminar Series (~300 attendees).
4. Becker, D.M.*, 2020. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Science Pub From Home Seminar
Series (~300 attendees).
3. Becker, D.M.*, 2027 and 2018. Coral conservation techniques in reproductive studies. Global
Journeys Seminar at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (~100 attendees).
2. Becker, D.M.*, 2017 and 2018. Coral conservation techniques in reproductive studies. Howard
Community College Seminar at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (~40 attendees).
1. Becker, D.M.*, 2017. Data science in coral reef conservation studies. Coral LIVE seminar series.
Digital Explorer Program at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (~50 attendees).
Poster Presentations
4. Becker, D.M.*, Silbiger, N.J., 2020. Investigating the effects of nutrient and sediment loading on
coral thermal tolerance in a branching coral species, Pocillopora acuta. 2020 Ocean Sciences
Meeting.
3. Becker, D.M.*, Silbiger, N.J., 2019. Investigating the effects of land-based pollution on coral thermal
tolerance in a branching coral species, Pocillopora acuta. CSUNposium (23rd Annual Student
Research and Creative Works Symposium).
2. Becker, D.M.*, Simard, P. 2016. Whistling in a noisy ocean: bottlenose dolphins adjust whistle
frequencies in response to real-time ambient noise levels. Eckerd College Scientific Research
Symposium. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL.
1. Becker, D.M.*, Barry, M., and Goldstein, N. 2016. Examining the abundance of microplastics in
sediment within Tampa Bay. Chemical and Physical Oceanography Research Symposium. Eckerd
College, St. Petersburg, FL.
MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE
Mentorship
2022 – present Terava Atger | Community member | Moorea, French Polynesia
2021 – present Chloe Gilligan | Undergraduate at URI
2024 Eliza Angert | Undergraduate at URI
2022 Janya Gambhir | Undergraduate at Tufts University | Global Research Assistant Program
2022 Rosie Bailey | Undergraduate at URI
2021 Hana-lei Evans | Undergraduate at URI
2021 Khadija Haider | PhD Candidate, Ocean Acidification Coral Lab | University of Miami
2021 Kristen Doyle | Undergraduate at URI
2019 Maria Martone | Undergraduate at CSUN
2019 Julio Rosales | Undergraduate at CSUN
2018 Amy Amatya | Undergraduate at Princeton University | BIOS
2017 Hallie Repeta | Undergraduate at Roger Williams University | BIOS
2017 Sydney Smith | Undergraduate at the URI | BIOS
2017 Sydney Guertin | Undergraduate at Roger Williams University | BIOS
2017 Evan Ernst | Undergraduate at URI | BIOS
2017 Elizabeth Molnar | Undergraduate at URI | BIOS
2017 Amelia Bianchi | Undergraduate at Roger Williams University | BIOS
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistantships and Course Instruction Experience
2024 Biology 101 | Teaching Assistant | Guest Lecturer | URI (200 students)
2024 Food from the Sea: Fishery Conservation | Teaching Assistant | URI (100 students)
2023 Fish Ecology | Teaching Assistant | URI 100 students)
2023 Invertebrate Zoology | Teaching Assistant | URI (3 sections x 40 students)
2021 Invertebrate Zoology | Teaching Assistant | URI (3 sections x 40 students)
2019 Biological Principles I | Teaching Assistant | CSUN (3 sections x 20 students)
2018 Biological Principles I | Teaching Assistant | CSUN (3 sections x 20 students)
Field Course Instruction
2018 Coral Reef Ecology | Teaching Assistant | Field and Research Labs | BIOS (40
undergraduate and graduate students)
2017 Coral Reef Ecology | Teaching Assistant | Field and Research Labs | BIOS (40
undergraduate students)
2017 Marine Biology and Oceanographic Research | Teaching Assistant | Field and
Research Labs | BIOS (40 undergraduate students)
2017 American Academy of Ocean Sciences Training Course | Teaching Assistant |
Field, Research, and Scuba Diving Instruction | BIOS (40 undergraduate
students)
Curriculum Development and Teacher Education
2021 – present STEM Mentor | Colorado University Corporation for Atmospheric Research – STEM
Career Connections Project | UCAR Center for Science Education – National Center for
Atmospheric Research
2020 – present Equitable and Inclusive Teaching and Pedagogy Badge Program Microcredential, URI
2023 Graduate Student Mentor Training program, URI MARC U*STAR grant from the
NIGMS/NIH under grant number 3T34GM131948-04S1, URI
2018 – 2020 Dearborn Elementary School – Science Education Instructor in Los Angeles, CA
2018 – 2020 Girls in Science and Technology – Science Education Instructor in underserved middle
and elementary school in the greater Los Angeles, CA region
Technical Experience
Field work skills: Environmental timeseries monitoring, invertebrate husbandry, aquarium
husbandry, coral collection, tank construction and maintenance for
manipulated nutrients, sedimentation, and temperature conditions,
experimental treatment monitoring with an APEX system and handheld
temperature, pH, salinity, and light probes, coral sampling, coral
physiology in situ measurements like respiration and photosynthetic rates,
buoyant weight sampling, thermal performance curves, photosynthetic
irradiance curves, behavioral observations, imaging for color score, total
alkalinity titrations, and survivorship tracking and LT50s
Physiology Lab Work: Airbrushing coral fragments, surface area with wax-dipping,
chlorophyll concentration, ash-free dry weight, total antioxidant
capacity, total and soluble protein, endosymbiont density, oxidative
damage
GitHub Profile:
https://github.com/daniellembecker
Zenodo Profile:
https://zenodo.org/me/uploads?q=&l=list&p=1&s=10&sort=newest