Ashley R Booth
PhD Candidate
Addressing coastal resilience needs through science-based decision making, strategic relationship-building, and interdisciplinary, collaborative partnerships.
In addition to her academic and professional experience, Ashley has extensive:
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experience presenting academic and technical information at regional, national, and international conferences;
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formal training in project and personnel management, policy and legislative process, science communication, and diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
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community-service experience in coastal restoration and resilience, science communication, science outreach, and general community engagement.
Education
April 2017 - May 2024
August 2014 - May 2016
PhD Renewable Natural Resources - Louisiana State University
Concentration in Wildife: Minor in Mass Communication
Dissertation Title: Understanding mechanisms for coastal marsh sustainability in a changing climate.
summa cum laude
MS Marine and Environmental Biology - Nicholls State University
Thesis Title: Impact of molt-disrupting PBDEs on epidermal ecdysteroid signaling in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, in vitro: an initial mechanistic look into disruption of crustacean molting.
summa cum laude
BS Animal and Veterinary Science - Clemson University
AS Health Science - Veterinary Technology
- Tri-County Technical College
Selected Work Experience
Knauss Marine Policy Legislative Fellow,
US Senate
February 2023 - February 2024
Cover oceans, water, coastal resilience, and environmental policy issues for US Senator Brian Schatz (D- HI).
Environmental Scientist,
SynTerra Corporation
January 2017 - August 2017
Conducted long-term ground and surface water monitoring, industrial site assessments, and ensured regulatory compliance.
Graduate Research Assitant,
Louisiana State University
August 2017 - May 2024
Lead multi-year research efforts to address wetland and waterfowl management needs in Gulf Coast marshes.
Research Associate and Crew Leader,
Nicholls State University
April 2016 - August 2016
Characterized soils and vegetation at 52 wetland sites across Louisiana as part of the EPA's 2016 National Wetland Condition Assessment program.
USFWS Directorate Fellow,
Hispanic Access Foundation
May 2022 - August 2022
Assess elevation change and adaptive management strategies at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge.
Graduate Research Assistant,
Nicholls State University
August 2014 - May 2016
Conducted research to assess the impacts of aquatic toxins on blue crab molting. Monitored breeding populations of nesting royal and sandwich terns.
Selected Publications
Cadigan, JA, R Bain, E Holzenthal, AR Booth, D Krafft, R Styles, and E Bailey. Under review. Apparent relationship of navigation channel dredging volumes, energy production, and land loss in southwest Louisiana. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering.
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Booth, AR. In progress. Science engagement, media trust, and the role of trust and knowledge gap hypotheses in science communication in the United States.
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Booth, AR, JA Nyman, SL King, SN Parks, and JE Martingayle. In progress. Flooding and salinity alter organic matter accumulation in perennial marsh plant species: implications for managing coastal impoundments.
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Cadigan, JA, JH Bekkaye, NH Jafari, L Zhu, AR Booth, Q Chen, B Raubenheimer, BD Harris, C O’Conner, R Lane, GP Kemp, J Day, JW Day, and HO Ulloa. 2022. Impacts of coastal infrastructure on shoreline resilience to major hurricanes in southwest Louisiana. Frontiers in Built Environment.
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Ringelman, KM, ES Bonczek, JR Marty, AR Booth, and AL Dopkin. 2021. Survival of Western Gulf Coast Mottled Ducks (Anas fulvigula) in the path of a category 4 hurricane. Ecology and Evolution. 11:15477-15483.
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Booth, A and E Zou. 2016. Impact of molt-disrupting BDE-47 on epidermal ecdysteroid signalling in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, in vitro. Aquatic Toxicology. 177:373-379.
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