E-Board


Hannah Gossner | President

Major: Marine Science
Class: 2013

I am from Durham, CT, and I have always known that I wanted to do something with the ocean. There was just something fascinating about how the sea is really what ties the world, physically and metaphorically, together, and MSA embodies that. I spent this last year getting super in touch with my major! In the fall I did the BUMP Semester, immersing myself in research and getting as much time in the field as I could. In the spring I did sailed from Tahiti to Hawaii aboard the Robert C. Seamans while doing a SEA Semester, which was definitely a life changing experience. This year I am (somewhat sadly) back on campus for my senior year, and plan to do my senior research and potentially intern at the New England Aquarium. When I graduate, I hope to do field research, possibly focusing on the ecological effect of global climate change. In my spare time I am working on furthering my diving skills (and eventually becoming a technical diver and instructor), chillin’ with my pet turtle Norbert, or sneaking home to see my horse, Duncan.


Erin Mclean | Vice President

Major: Marine Science
Class: 2013

I’m super excited for this year in MSA! Even though I’ll be studying abroad in Dresden for fall semester, I’ll come back with a bang ready to get involved with MSA and marine stuff. I currently work in Dr. Finnerty’s lab working on sea anemone genetic visualization, but I’m writing my undergraduate thesis on my summer research, sargassum predator-prey interactions. I’m from Danvers, MA and when I grow up, I’d like to research deep sea fish, hopefully in California. I’m in MSA because I love hanging out and hearing the research of my marine peers – I always learn something new from people who aren’t in my same research area.


Rachel Schweiker | Treasurer

Major: Marine Science
Class: 2013

Being from Minnesota, the ocean has always been a mysterious and unreachable subject for me. I’m all about learning new things and acquiring new skills, so I love being in Boston, learning answers to question I never thought to ask. I had a lot of adventures packed into past year by participating in the BUMP semester last fall, and the Tropical Ecology Program in Ecuador last spring. I worked in the Fulweiler Lab for a year, and this summer, I worked in the Finnerty Lab on a UROP project. MSA is a great place to come together with people with similar interests and ambitions, so I’m excited to spend some time with everyone this year!


Jillian Hayward | Secretary

Major: Marine Science
Class: 2013

Growing up on Cape Cod, I have always loved living and working so close to the ocean. As a kid, every day I would either be at the beach, on a boat, or out kayaking on the pond- I was even chosen to sit on Shamu during a trip to Sea World! In high school, I volunteered at the New England Aquarium in Visitor Education and decided that I knew I wanted to pursue studying marine biology at BU. Now as a college student, not much has changed: I work for a parasailing company as a jet ski instructor out in Cape Cod Bay, and I love spending my summers out on the water. During my undergraduate career here at BU, I’ve already completed one marine semester (looking forward to another this fall), and followed one of my research projects into an undergrad research experiment on chemosensory memory abilities of lobsters in the Atema lab. I’m looking forward to MSA this year to continue being involved in fun marine science projects, to meet all of our new members, and of course… the Lobster Ball!


Diana Acosta | Media and Technology Chair

Major: Marine Science
Class: 2014

My name is Diana Acosta from Hawthorne, New Jersey. I am currently majoring in Marine Science with a minor in Environmental Science. From a young age I have always had an interest in the ocean. My best memories from childhood are from swimming with stingrays and dolphins to just simply finding shells on the shore. The ocean is just a source of joy for me. I have previously worked with various animals from the Hudson River including toadfish, sea horses, pipefish, and blue crabs. I am currently working at the Buston Lab on campus, helping with research on clownfish. I joined MSA to meet other people who are just as interested in all things marine science related as I am. I am super excited for everything the MSA is doing this upcoming year and cannot wait for it to all unfold!


Cara B | Fundraising Chair

Major:
Class:

Cara’s bio is coming soon!