Jennette VanderJagt M.S.

College of Natural and Computational Sciences - Department of Natural Science

Senior Lecturer of Marine Science

EDUCATION:

• M.S. in Marine Science, with distinction, Hawai Pacific University
• B.S. in Biology, emphasis in Marine Biology, Summa Cum Laude, San Diego State University

COURSES TAUGHT:

• BIOL 1000 - Introduction to Biology
• BIOL 1500 - Conservation Biology
• BIOL 2052/3 - General Biology ii/Lab
• MARS 1500 - Marine Biology and Global Oceans
• ENVS 1000 - The Sustainability Challenge
• PMED 3950 - Pre-Medical Studies Practicum

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS:

Toxicology; Chemical Pollution; Plastic Pollution; Water Quality; Marine Biology; Conservation; Cell Biology

TEACHING INTERESTS/RESEARCH:

I’ve always had an interest in marine biology, but I wanted to learn more about the impact of chemicals on the environment, which is what led me to pursue toxicology. My thesis research involved dosing dolphin embryonic kidney cells with various concentrations of perfluorinated alkyl acids, extracting the RNA and proteins, and looking for a dose-dependent enzymatic response, which could hopefully be used as biomarkers of exposure and effect. In addition to this, I've had a lot of experience doing field work in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. I've worked with many different organisms such as fish, birds, and marine mammals and in the past several years I've done quite a bit of water quality testing. More recently, I've had the opportunity to work at the Center for Marine Debris Research where their research focuses on the marine plastic pollution issue. I have many life experiences to draw from in my teaching and I’ve always enjoyed sharing what I’ve learned with my students. I’m definitely passionate about biology and I feel that excitement is passed along to my students to motivate them to learn and hopefully want to make a difference in the environment. 

PERSONAL INTERESTS/BIOGRAPHY:

I LOVE the outdoors and will do pretty much anything that will let me engage with the environment! I enjoy hiking, camping, horseback riding, kayaking, and scuba diving to name a few. I am also very passionate about volunteering and feel it is a great way to get involved in the community and make a difference. I have worked with many amazing local organizations such as Malama Moanalua, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, and with US Fish and Wildlife at James Campbell Wildlife Refuge.