 |  | Kelton McMahon
Guest Investigator
Biology
Contact Information:
Work: 508 289 3966
kmcmahon@whoi.edu
Building: Marine Research Facility 217
Mailing Address:
Mailstop 50
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole, MA 02543
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Research Interests
In general, I am interested in ecological geochemistry, particularly the use of stable isotope and trace element chemistry to examine questions in fisheries ecology. Currently I am developing methods to use compound specific isotope ratio mass spectrometry (namely amino acids ) on otoliths, scales, and vertebrae to examine trophic interactions and migration pathways of coral reef fish and large pelagic sharks. This method will provide an analytical tool to retrospectively examine diet and migration across multiple life history stages. My research will examine the ontogentic migration of coral reef fish from juvenile nursery habitats such as mangroves and seagrass beds to the adult population on coral reefs. The ability to retrospectively track movement is critically important for the design of effective networked marine protected areas and for successful long-term management and conservation of highly migratory or elusive species. I am also interested in food web dynamics and have been involved in the reconstruction of food webs using stable isotope analyses for Alaskan Lagoons, New England Salt marshes, and Arctic Fjords. Currently, I am using compound specific stable isotope analysis to examine the role of water column-based phytoplankton production and microbially recycled production in supporting upper trophic level fisheries on coral reefs. In the past, I have used stable isotopes to examine the digestibility of ice algae and phytoplankton by Arctic benthos and the impacts of ice algae on growth and reproduction of benthic macrofauna. I have also previously studied biological-physical interactions controlling salt marsh ecosystem dynamics in New England. This research primarily focused on how the introduction of the invasive reed grass Phragmites australis has impacted native flora and fauna.
Education
2011-present: Post-doctoral Investigator (Biology): Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA and Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Supervisor: Dr. Simon R. Thorrold and Dr. Michael Berumen
2005-2011: Ph.D. Candidate (Biological Oceanography) Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography: Applied Ocean Science and Engineering. Advisor: Dr. Simon R. Thorrold. Dissertation Title: “Functional connectivity of coral reef fishes in a tropical seascape assessed by compound-specific stable isotope analyses.”
2001-2005: B.Sc. (Biology) Bates College, Summa Cum Laude. Advisors: Dr. William Ambrose Jr. (Biology) and Dr. Beverly Johnson (Geology). Honors Thesis Title: “The impact of a changing food supply on Arctic benthos: Digestibility of ice algae and phytoplankton” (McMahon et al. 2006 MEPS 310:1-14)
Awards
Best Student Paper Award (2009) 4th International Otolith Symposium
Sally Richardson Best Student Paper Award (2009) 33rd Annual Larval Fish Conference
International Society for Reef Studies/Ocean Conservancy Coral Reef Research Fellowship (2008) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2006-2009) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Ocean Life Fellowship (2005-2006) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Graduate Council Fellowship (2005); Offer Declined
Presidential Award (2005; Offer Declined)
Summa Cum Laude (2005) Bates College
Inducted to Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society (2005)
Howard Hughes Summer Fellowship (2004-2005) Bates College
Dean’s Honors List (2001-2005) Bates College: (8 consecutive semesters)
Arthur Crafts Award (2001) Bates College
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