Rowan H. McLachlan
364 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH, 43210; +1 614 736 1952; [email protected]
EDUCATION
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (GPA: 3.92)
2015 – Present
PhD student in the School of Earth Sciences, (3.9/4.0); expected graduation: June 2020
Advisor: Professor Andréa G. Grottoli, SES Division of Water, Climate & The Environment, OSU
Research interests: tropical coral physiology, biogeochemistry, heritability, temperature and pCO2
tolerance. Focus on uncovering the adaptation and acclimatization potential of Hawaiian coral reefs to
future ocean conditions.
University of St Andrews, United Kingdom
2011 - 2015
B.Sc. (Honours) Marine Biology (First Class Degree, 4.0/4.0)
Advisor: Dr Maria Dornelas, Department of Biodiversity & Behaviour, University of St Andrews
Margret Lang Prize: Awarded to the outstanding student in Senior Honours Marine Biology Degree
programme
Dean’s List: 2015
James Cook University, Australia
2014
Study Abroad Exchange Program with the University of St Andrews (Award: Distinction)
Co-Advisor: Dr Mia Hoogenboom, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
Educated in School of Tropical Marine Biology. Conducted research in Marine and Aquaculture
Research Facilities Unit.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Ohio State University, Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Lab
2015 - Present
Research Assistant – Lab of Professor Andréa Grottoli: leading an investigation, and conducting analyses to
characterize natural variation in physiology and biogeochemistry of Hawaiian corals species collected from
several locations, spanning a range of natural temperature, pCO2 and flow gradients to infer adaptation and/or
acclimatization to future ocean conditions. Concurrently I manage, train and mentor a team of nine undergraduate
students, six of whom are conducting research for their senior thesis; the remaining three are research volunteers.
Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Oahu, HI
Summer 2015
Research Assistant – Fieldwork of Professor Andréa Grottoli and Dr Robert Toonen: collected respirometry and
feeding rate data for multiple stressor experiment investigating effect of ocean acidification and heterotrophy on
physiology of two Hawaiian coral species: Porites compressa and Montipora capitata.
Operation Wallacea, Hoga Island, South-East Sulawesi, Indonesia
Spring 2015
Scientific Diving Team Leader – managed a team of SCUBA divers to collect data as part of research expedition
in conjunction with Dr. Clare Peddie (from University of St Andrews). Project Title: Cleaner shrimp Anclomyces
sp. use coral Heliofungia actiniformis as visual cue to attract reef fish clients to cleaning station.
Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, UK
2014 - 2015
Research Volunteer – Lab of Dr. Nicola Allison and Dr. Catherine Cole: responsible for maintenance of
experimental aquaria, demonstrated advanced coral husbandry, and analysed seawater chemistry to understand
biomineralization and environmental and biological processes affecting the geochemistry of coral skeletons.
Scottish Oceans Institute, United Kingdom
2013 - 2014
Research Volunteer – Lab of Dr. Lindsay Wilson: sample preparation and identification of fish otoliths and
other hard prey remains as a proxy to characterize the diet and feeding ecology of harbour seal around Britain.
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, Bermuda
Summer 2013
Summer Coral Reef Ecology Student Scholarship (Grade: A+)
Intensive integrated program comprised of lectures, laboratory analysis and field surveys. Trained in various field
techniques (on SCUBA) and corresponding laboratory analysis, for independent research. Project Title:
Assessing effect of localized disturbance on reef invertebrate community composition.
SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS (cumulative grants awarded > $18,000)
Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research (2016), $1,000
Friends of Orton Hall Scholarship: The Ohio State University (2015-16), $2,000
The Scottish International Education Trust (2015), $3,100
The Sutherland-Page Trust Scholarship (2015), $1,530
The Mackinnon-MacNeil Trust Special Scholar of the Year Award (2012, 2014), $4,700
The Highland Children’s Trust Educational Award (2013, 2014) $1,200
The Duncraig Educational Scheme Scholarship (2013), $1,550
Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Company Educational Award (2011), $3,000
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Workshops Attended:
2016 US Investigators Coral Bleaching Workshop. Honolulu, HI (17-18 June 2016)
Meetings Attended:
13th International Coral Reef Symposium. Honolulu, HI (19-24 June 2016)
ESA 100th Annual Meeting & Exposition. Baltimore, MD (9-14 August 2015)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
(UG = undergraduate students, G = graduate students, E = enrolment numbers)
The Ohio State University: School of Earth Sciences
Graduate Teaching Associate
EarthSci 5206 Advanced Oceanography
EarthSci 2206 Principles of Oceanography
EarthSci 1100 Planet Earth: How It Works
(UG, G, E32)
(UG, E60)
(UG, E65)
Spring 2016 - Present
Fall 2016
Fall 2016
Spring 2016
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
McLachlan RH, Hoogenboom MO & Dornelas M. Investigation of heterotrophic up-regulation in response
to thermal bleaching in six species of scleractinian corals of the Great Barrier Reef. Manuscript in
Preparation.
PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS
McLachlan RH, Grottoli AG, Jury C, Dobson KL, Toonen RJ (2016) Variability in Hawaiian coral across
a natural range of temperature, pH and flow gradients. Poster Presentation. 13th International Coral
Reef Symposium. Honolulu, Hawaii, 19-24 June. Abstract ID: 29723
Jury CP, Newell ML, Dobson KL, McLachlan RH, Marko P, Grottoli AG, Toonen RJ (2016) Local
Adaptation drives coral resilience to ocean acidification and climate change. Oral Presentation. 13th
International Coral Reef Symposium. Honolulu, Hawaii, 19-24 June. Abstract ID: 29277
Newell ML, Jury CP, Knapp IS, Toonen RJ, Dobson KL, McLachlan RH, Grottoli AG, Marko PB (2016)
Symbiodinium diversity in Porites compressa following a natural bleaching event. Poster Presentation.
13th International Coral Reef Symposium. Honolulu, Hawaii, 19-24 June. Abstract ID: 29747
Dobson KL, Grottoli AG, Jury C, Newell M, Marko P, Kadri A, Snyder K, McLachlan RH, Toonen RJ
(2016) Recovery of Montipora capitata and Porites compressa from bleaching under ocean
acidification conditions. Oral Presentation. 13th International Coral Reef Symposium. Honolulu,
Hawaii, 19-24 June. Abstract ID: 29624
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Language Skills: English, conversational German
Software: R-studio, Image J, Microsoft Office
PADI Rescue Diver/BSAC Sports Diver (2013), AQF Rescue Upgrade (2014)
Emergency First Response (EFR) and Oxygen Provider (2014)
British Drivers Licence (2009)
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
International Society for Reef Studies
Sigma Xi
Sigma Delta Epsilon Graduate Women in Science
American Academy of Underwater Sciences
Ecological Society of America
The Ohio Academy of Sciences
REFERENCES
Dr. Andréa Grottoli (Graduate Advisor)
School of Earth Sciences
The Ohio State University,
Columbus, OH, 43210
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 215 990 9736
Dr. Maria Dornelas (Undergraduate Advisor)
School of Biodiversity & Behaviour
University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife,
Scotland, KY169TH
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 1334 463 324