This spring, two students from UC Irvine’s Master of Conservation and Restoration Science (MCRS) program had the exciting opportunity to present their research at the Annual Meeting of the Southern California Academy of Sciences (SCAS). SCAS is an organization committed to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering community among scientists, students, and the broader public. The annual meeting brings together researchers from across Southern California to share their work, build professional connections, and promote science that supports both ecological understanding and societal well-being. Representing the next generation of conservation scientists, our MCRS students contributed to this mission by sharing their original research on key issues facing Southern California’s ecosystems.

Kellee Collier and Grace Bahena have been interning with Nancy Caruso, local Marine Biologist, since December 2024 and January 2025, respectively. They have conducted data analysis for the ongoing Pismo clam monitoring project in Orange County. Kellee has analyzed relationships between Pismo clam presence and sand grain types while Grace has examined the clams’ relationship to beach slope. Both students were able to present their findings at the Southern California Academy of Sciences 2025 Annual meeting and the Beach Ecology Coalition Spring meeting. Both events offered great feedback and insight with other professionals for their work. While Kellee and Grace’s findings have currently not found significant results, they will continue to analyze sand grain types and other variables as beach surveys are completed along the Orange County coastline. Determining ideal sandy intertidal habitats for Pismo clams is crucial for planning future restoration work.