Aubrey Szoke '20
Supporting Student Research - Aubrey Szoke Dives into UNE鈥檚 Mussel Research
Aubrey Szoke 鈥20 is making waves as she continues to build on UNE鈥檚 blue mussel studies. For the past year she has been working with Katie Parker 鈥18, on assessing pathogens and signs of stress in blue mussels in order to help Maine鈥檚 mussel farms.
Her research is a continuation of Parker鈥檚 project designed in response to a local mussel farmer鈥檚 experience of a mass die-off event in 2016. The resulting research, funded by Bristol Seafood and NFC SeaNet, will be used to educate farmers on developing hazards in Maine, as well as how to better understand the health of their mussels.
With the continued support of Bristol Seafood and NFC SeaNet, Szoke and her fellow researchers will be able to continue this project, present their findings during UNE鈥檚 research symposiums and other conferences, as well as share their knowledge with the Casco Bay mussel farm that started it all!
Szoke noted the significance this research can have on aquaculture as a whole:
鈥淎quaculture in particular is going to be very important in feeding the global population soon. Research that helps mussel farmers to better understand the health of their mussels and when their mussels are most nutritious, will assist in feeding the world. Mussels are one of the most sustainable foods that you can grow, more so than corn and other forms of agriculture because mussels filter the water around them, improve water quality, and they don鈥檛 cause any secondary death as mussels don鈥檛 use pesticides or antibiotics.鈥
As a Marine Biology major, Szoke and is considering a double major with Medical Biology. Her work in the lab is challenging and she is excited about the project鈥檚 growth and future potential. Within the next few years she would also like to become a mentor to undergraduate students interested in continuing this study. Her plans after graduation include pursuing a career as a research scientist, after obtaining her Ph.D.