Hello! My name is Korrina Wirfs. I was born into a military family, so that meant moving around a lot. Although I was born in New York, Oregon has been my home for over a decade. My mom, two sisters, and I all live together, and we have weathered many storms together. My dad, stepmom, and two half-siblings also live in Oregon. I love all earth sciences and have always felt a deep connection to our planet. 4-H dominated most of my high school and middle school social life, from Fine Art to Geology. Rock climbing, Marching Band, reading, sending memes, growing succulents, and taking care of my fish are my favorite hobbies. I am definitely not a sports person, and when asked, will have no idea how to get the football to a homerun while avoiding the goalies. Before I arrived at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, I finished my second year at Linn Benton Community College and achieved an Associate's of Science with an Environmental Science Emphasis. Next Fall I will be attending Oregon State University, continuing my education in order to achieve a Bachelor's degree in Ocean Science. During my time at LBCC, I was a Physical Science lab assistant, which really helped me prepare for my internship. Already knowing what DI water is, how to read a graduated cylinder, how to use a pipette, and how to prepare for Oregon’s temperamental weather has really helped me somewhat get over the learning curve a little faster. Everybody here, from faculty to interns, are really nice, even though I’m usually extremely awkward and quiet. I first heard of the OIMB REU Internship opportunity from my school advisor, Deron Carter. I ended up also taking a Geology Course from him, and highly recommend him as a professor to all LBCC students. I was really apprehensive about applying for the internship, because Deron told me how many people have applied in the past, and the fact they only take 10-11 students made me start to believe I would never be chosen. Receiving the email that said I was accepted felt like a dream.
While I am here at OIMB, I am interning for the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. This week I had kayak training, did water quality testing, went to the Interpretive Center, joined an Invasive Species Conference, visited the Charleston Marine Life Center, and became familiar with lab techniques used here. Kayak training was intense, and I walked away feeling really embarrassed. I realized I only felt bad because I was comparing myself to other people, and that I should be proud for never giving up. Looking back, it was really fun and everyone was supportive. Water quality testing was the best, even though I had to get up really early. Being out on a boat is my idea fun, and being out on one twice in one day was magical. Low tide was my favorite because we saw many seals and other sea life.
6 Comments
Becky
6/25/2018 10:37:39 pm
Why are the pretty European Green Crabs bad? (Invasive species usually carries a negative connotation.)
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Korrina
6/26/2018 08:59:44 am
European Green Crabs are bad because they are very effective predators in our estuarine and marine ecosystems. They can feed on a variety of intertidal animals, including oysters, mussels, clams and juvenile crabs. One of Oregon's most popular exports in Dungeness crab, and it's hard to have grown crabs if the juveniles are being eaten. Grown native crabs also have problems with Green Crabs because they compete for the same food and space. They disturb native eelgrass beds, which are home to many juvenile fish. In Canada, the invasive Green Crabs seem to have a taste for mollusks, which has been hard on their fishing industries.
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Samuel Murray
6/26/2018 09:12:50 pm
How big do the Green crabs get? Are they tasty? Is there a fishing limit for them?
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Korrina Wirfs
7/2/2018 07:53:53 pm
They only get to be 3.5 to 4 inches long. I have yet to meet someone who likes the way they taste, but I wouldn't put anything past our family. :D No, there isn't a limit on them. Instead, it is very encouraged to get rid of them. However, juvenile Dungeness often get mistaken for Green Crabs, so you just have to count the teeth on the carapace to know if you have a green crab or not.
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Kumquat
7/8/2018 12:50:54 am
Why are you not wearing sweatpants
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Korrina
7/25/2018 10:26:24 am
Because I evolved to my next stage. :P What you don't see is how often I wear sweats when I'm not working.
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AuthorI’m the designated mom friend, Korrina Wirfs. I hope one day to be a marine scientist, building a better world, and endowing others with important knowledge. Archives
August 2018
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