Giulia Wood has always been drawn to the ocean. Growing up on Fidalgo Island near Puget Sound, she spent countless hours exploring tide pools, hiking in the woods, and walking along the shore. This connection to nature led her to the Oregon State University, where she initially aimed for a career in medicine. However, after her first year, she realized that her true passion lay elsewhere.
While studying with a group of future doctors, Giulia felt a lack of enthusiasm for medical school. However, her excitement soared when she got involved in a research project focusing on bees. “I had an absolute blast,” she recalls. The hands-on experience rekindled her love for the natural world, and she soon decided to shift her focus to environmental science.
In her journey, Giulia discovered not just her love for the ocean but also an unexpected passion for krill. “I grew up by the ocean, but no one ever told me I could have a career studying it,” she said. This revelation changed everything. By her junior year, she volunteered at the Krillseeker Lab, taking part in groundbreaking research on krill.
The research required coding and mathematical modeling, skills she’d never considered before. With strong support from her peers, she excelled. “It was a quick turn from starting that work to deciding, ‘Yeah, krill is it for me,'” she explained. As she dove deeper into her studies, she became aware of krill’s pivotal role in the marine ecosystem. Nearly all ocean creatures depend on krill or animals that eat them.
Putting her newfound knowledge to good use, Giulia conducted research for her honors thesis funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She examined how warmer and colder ocean temperatures affect krill in the Bering Sea. Her work attracted significant attention and even led to a remarkable opportunity—to spend five months in Antarctica, conducting fieldwork.
Living in isolation with a small group of researchers, Giulia collected data on krill and their environments. She marveled at her surroundings, pushing herself to conduct experiments that tested how krill interact with their food supply and the conditions of their habitat. “Standing at the edge of the world, I can’t imagine a greater thrill than this,” she wrote of her experience.
Giulia’s research is not just fascinating; it’s essential. As highlighted by her advisor, Professor Kim Bernard, her work could fill crucial gaps in our understanding of ocean health. “Her research on trace metals, particularly copper, could significantly impact our knowledge of the Southern Ocean ecosystem,” Bernard said.
With plans to continue her studies at the University of Liverpool, Giulia is excited to further explore how ocean conditions affect krill and, by extension, the entire marine ecosystem. “The ocean watched over me for 10 years. Now, I have the chance to watch over it,” she said.
In a world where climate change increasingly affects ocean ecosystems, Giulia’s research becomes even more essential. Studies show that marine heatwaves can devastate marine life, including krill populations. Understanding these effects is key to protecting our oceans and the myriad life forms they support.
Giulia Wood’s story is a reminder that pursuing our passions can lead us to unexpected paths. As she embarks on her next adventure, her commitment to marine research offers hope for the future of our oceans. For more on the impact of krill in marine ecosystems, check out this NOAA publication.
