Candice Thorstenson
Faculty Research Assistant, Oregon State University
Candice Thorstenson is a Faculty Research Assistant at Oregon State University’s Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station in Newport, Oregon, where her research focuses on the application of probiotics in shellfish aquaculture to prevent disease and enhance long-term host health. In addition to fundamental research on probiotic mechanisms, Dr. Thorstenson closely collaborates with industry partners to deliver practical solutions for oyster hatchery operations and broader sustainability in shellfish aquaculture. Her research interests include the role of probiotics in modulating the shellfish microbiome, microbiome engineering, the behavior and pathogenicity of Vibrio bacteria, and the mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer within marine systems.