Silven Read

Silven Read

Lab Manager, Geography Spectral Lab, University of Victoria
MA Biology, Cal Poly Humboldt
BSc Biology, Virginia Tech

I am a career lab manager and research technician. Having studied and worked at universities, government offices, and in the private sector, I have benefitted from amazing opportunities to help with many types of research. My past projects encompass a wide variety of topics in the sciences, such as: correlation of hormones with autism or schizophrenia; distribution of chytrid fungal disease among amphibian populations; cryopreservation protocol development for Nereocystis luetkeana kelp; social amoeba competition with conspecifics using symbiotic bacteria; and spread of genetically modified grass pollen in a vulnerable agricultural system.

Currently, I am studying kelp on the British Columbia coast and the impact of encrusting bryozoans. We are selecting a latitudinal gradient of sites to compare environmental variables such as sea surface temperature, salinity, and water flow. My main responsibilities are to help run the Spectral lab: managing grant expenses to match outlined project budgets; copy editing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications; scheduling meetings among stakeholders, including government, private, and First Nations entities; ordering equipment; and more.