Marine Biology

“You have to have an artistic and creative mind to do good science”

-Xochitl Clare

Fisheries & Larval Biology

My research focuses on understudied fisheries, where I develop methodology determine which species may be resilient to climate change stressors in early life stages. My research approaches include: eco-physiology, larval biology and using long term ecological datasets to contextualize my findings.

REEFlections & Science-In-Action

I guide learners through self-reflective testimony—or “storytelling” on research experiences. I also involve the public in scientific discovery. I established an aquarium-based experiment-display to conduct "Science-In-Action". I also founded “REEFlections”, an undergraduate science communication program (2019-present).

Multi-Stressors in a Changing World

"Understanding multistressors in the marine environment is necessary to ensure future ocean health" (Nature, 2019). From ocean warming to acidification to pollution--To date, most research has considered a single stressor. In a new era of research, my latest work considers the effects of interactive stressors on our ocean resources.

My Research

Key words: Ocean warming, climate change biology, eco-physiology, fisheries, marine invertebrates, pollution

For my Ph.D. (2017-2023) at the Hofmann Lab at the University of California, Santa Barbara, I lead fisheries eco-physiology and science communication projects. I evaluated the effects of marine heatwaves on the thermotolerance of an emerging California shellfishery (the Kellet's whelk) in early larval stages. While mentoring students of diverse backgrounds, I designed public-facing undergraduate science communication programs so scientists and stakeholders can hold dialogue on environmental issues.

In my current steps I am a Washington Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the Padilla-Gamiño Lab at the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. My research is based in Belize where I take a systems-wide approach to ecosystem management and eco-physiology. I employ my expertise in bridging together individuals across disciplines to foster academic-to-NGO relationships that enable to me assess physiological anthropogenic threats to tropical fisheries and the ecosystems that support them.

I am proud to apply my experience towards climate change issues in Central America & the Caribbean--tropical ecosystems my ancestors have called home.

Download Marine Biology CV

Education

2017-2023

Ph.D. Marine Biology

University of California, Santa Barbara

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP) (2020 - 2023)

UC President's Pre-Professoriate Fellowship (2022 - 2023)

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Visiting Researcher: Collin Lab (2023)

Research Mentor: UCSB Ocean Global Change Biology Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) (2018, 2022)

Curriculum Design for Mentor Training: Field-based Undergraduate Engagement through Research, Teaching, and Education (FUERTE) (2021)
Producer, Director: STEAMy Improv Workshops for UCSB Ecology of Infectious Disease (2018-2019)

2012-2017

Marine Biology, B.S.

Theater Arts, B.A.

University of California, Santa Cruz

Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO), REU Visiting Researcher: Deheyn Lab (2016)

UCSC Dean’s Undergraduate Research Award for Senior Thesis: Costa Lab (2017)

Producer, Director: UCSC Educational Performance Production Rethinking Natural History: Understanding the natural world through performance (2017)

Palkovacs Lab: Undergraduate Researcher; Local Adaptation in a Shell-drilling Predator, Dog-whelk Sea Snail (2015 - 2017)

Costa Lab: Undergraduate Researcher; Elephant Seal Prey-Energy Library (2014 - 2016)

Publications

2023

Clare, X.S., Kui. L., Hofmann, G.E., Thermotolerance of a wild shellfish fishery under fluctuating marine heatwave conditions, Frontiers in Marine Science (Submission: December 2023)

Clare, X.S., Adler-Kassner, L., Hofmann, G.E., REEFlections: Exploring undergraduate experiences in navigating virtual science communication, Frontiers in Marine Science (Submission: December 2023)

2022

Clare, X.S., Dillon Whited et al., Length-weight relationship of the kelp forest gastropod and emerging fisheries species Kellet’s whelk, Kelletia kelletii, Journal of Shellfish Research (In Review)

Clare, X.S., Hofmann, G.E., Kui. L., Larval thermal tolerance as a window into the resilience of a wild shellfish fishery to marine heatwaves, Journal of Shellfish Research (Publication link here)