Cindy Bessey
Cindy Bessey is a marine field ecologist whose passion is understanding the role that fish and invertebrate organisms play in sustaining diverse, productive, and healthy ecosystems. Cindy’s research projects have included investigating trophic interactions in threatened seagrass ecosystems, evaluating how commercially important fish and invertebrate populations are affected by varying environmental conditions, assessing the risk that genetically modified fish pose to the natural environment, and conducting biodiversity surveys using an array of approaches to help assess conservation strategies. She currently works on advancing environmental DNA (eDNA) collection techniques for successful implementation into bio-monitoring programs which are cost-effective, easily deployed, and accessible to anyone. Her focus is on obtaining diversity data in coastal and offshore systems in order to evaluate ecosystem changes resulting from both anthropogenic and natural pressures. Her international employment experience includes positions with the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in California, USA, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in British Columbia, Canada.
Abstracts this author is presenting: