PhD, GeographyThesis topicSalome’s research involves characterizing newly uncovered kelp forests at mesophotic depths in the Galapagos Archipelago. Additionally, it will ascertain how common or rare these kelp populations are in the Galapagos Islands and whether they represent deep-water refugia from climate change or are vulnerable to ocean warming. SupervisorSimon Donner |
Degrees
B.Sc
M.Sc
Research Unit
Climate and Coastal Ecosystem Laboratory
Awards
National Geographic Explorer
Contact Information
Email: s.buglass@oceans.ubc.ca
Twitter: @BugSalome
Instagram: @salome.bug
Biography
Salomé Buglass (She/Her) is a marine scientist leading and supporting research on characterizing deep-water habitats in the Galapagos Marine Reserve as part of Charles Darwin Foundation’s Deep-Ocean Exploration and Conservation Program. In 2018, Buglass was awarded a National Geographic Grant to spearhead a pioneering study exploring the twilight zone ecosystem on seamounts using remotely operated vehicles. This effort resulted in the exciting discovery of a previously unknown deep-water kelp forest in the Galapagos. Fascinated by these strange kelp communities, she pursued a doctoral degree at UBC. Her thesis studies whether these mysterious seaweeds in deeper zones of the Galapagos archipelago are thriving or in peril. She is also part of an international team of scientists dedicated to assessing the distribution of critical deep-sea ecosystems in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, for which she has participated in various major oceanographic research expeditions led by Mission Blue, Schmidt Ocean Institute, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
As an Afro-Caribbean Latina woman, Buglass seeks to be a role model for today’s youth, addressing the underrepresentation of female scientists of colour in exploratory research on the ocean’s last frontier. Buglass aspires to break through the glass ceiling and ascend to the role of a senior researcher/professor, leading impactful research programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Keywords
Marine ecology, mesophotic ecosystems, kelp forest, ROV methods
Awards
NSERC (PGS-D)
Four Year Doctoral Fellowship
Ocean Leaders Fellow
National Geographic Level II Grant
Selected Publications
Buglass, S., Kawai, H., Hanyuda, T. et al. Novel mesophotic kelp forests in the Galápagos archipelago. Mar Biol 169, 156 (2022).
Buglass, S., Nagy, S. Ebert, D., Sepa, P., Turchick, A., Bell, K. L. C., Rivera, F. and Giddens, J. (2020) First records of the seven-gilled Notorynchus cepedianus and sixgilled Hexanchus griseus sharks (Chondrichthyes: Hexanchiformes: Hexanchidae) found in the Galápagos Marine Reserve. J Fish Biol 1–4.
Arnés-Urgellés, A., Buglass, S., Ahyong, S. T., Pelayo Salinas-de-León,., Wicksten, M. K., Marsh, L. (2020) Arthropoda; Crustacea; Decapoda of deep-sea volcanic habitats of the Galapagos Marine Reserve, Tropical Eastern Pacific, Biodiversity Data Journal 8: e54482
Buglass, S., Reyes H., Ramirez-Gonzalez, J., Eddy, T.d., Salinas-de-León, P. & Marin Jarrin, J. (2018) Evaluating the effectiveness of coastal no-take zones of the Galapagos Marine Reserve for the red spiny lobster, Panulirus penicillatus. Marine Policy, 88 pp.204–212,
Buglass, S., Donner, S. & Alemu, J. (2016). A study on the recovery of Tobago’s coral reefs following the 2010 mass bleaching event. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 104 (1-2), pp 198-206