B.S Student in Oceanography and Marine Biology, Oregon State University  URSA Undergraduate Research Fellow

Tyler Acevedo is a double major pursuing a B.S. in Oceanography and a B.S. in Marine Biology at Oregon State University. He is currently an URSA Undergraduate Research Fellow in the Gurr Lab, where he is developing a capstone project focused on environmental water quality, dose dependent stress experiments, and real time heartbeat sensing in oysters.

His project centers on monitoring adult broodstock oysters in the Yaquina Bay raft using non-invasive heart rate sensors, an effort that will begin as soon as water-resistant builds are completed in collaboration with iLab. In parallel, he plans to integrate environmental sensor data from the Oregon Coastal Monitoring Station to link real-time physiology with dynamic coastal conditions. Together, these components aim to better understand whether we can detect differences between selectively-bred oyster broodstock and how environmental variability affects oyster health and resilience.

Tyler’s broader research interests include deep sea biology, ocean acidification, and the intersection of physical ocean processes with organismal physiology. As a certified PADI Divemaster, he hopes to pursue a career in academia that blends research, fieldwork, and potentially scientific diving. Outside the lab, he is passionate about marine conservation, loves nudibranchs in all their improbable neon glory, and is deeply motivated by connecting science, exploration, and community.