Kelp Innovation: Andrea Paz-Lacavex’s Capstone & Capstone Partner Featured

Andrea Paz-Lacavex is passionate about restoring kelp ecosystems because they benefit not only the species that live on and around kelp but also for their important contributions to local livelihoods and wellbeing. As a graduate student, Andrea is working with a team of researchers in Dr. Joleah Lamb’s UC Irvine lab, The Nature Conservancy, and local leaders in Mexico to explore effective implementation of a new innovative kelp restoration technique. The UC Irvine lab, Andrea’s engagement, and the importance of kelp restoration in the face of myriad threats were featured in a recent LA Times Article,Marine researchers focus on the tiniest victims of Orange County oil spill, read the article here.

In addition, the UC Irvine lab that Andrea is working with and the importance of “future proofing” kelp forests to climate change is further discussed and highlighted in the following video.

Following on her work with UC Irvine, Andrea will be spending part of her capstone year implementing the green gravel technique in Baja California, Mexico with the hopes of making inroads for future kelp restoration in the region.

Image Credit: Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times