Celebrating the Labroots 2024 Research Scholarship Winner: Britni Livar

Scientific research is a cornerstone in the advancement of science and our understanding of the natural world. Due to rising costs associated with research travel, Labroots is proud to offer the Labroots Summer Research Scholarship to mitigate some of these expenses. This year’s Summer Research Scholarship winner is Britni Livar. Britni is a first-year Environmental Life Sciences PhD student at Arizona State University (ASU) whose research is focused on how increased ocean temperatures and acidification are affecting the assemblage of marine bacteria.

“I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded the Summer 2024 Labroots Research Scholarship! This support will allow for the further advancement of my research on the effects of ocean acidification and ocean warming on the role of bacteria in the biological carbon pump, specifically through their ability to aggregate. This scholarship empowers me to pursue my academic and professional goals, ensuring I can contribute meaningfully to my field and the broader scientific community. Thank you once again for this invaluable support!”

Livar’s journey into marine bacteria began when she aspired to be a dolphin trainer as a child. This fascination with marine life evolved into her desire to pursue studying less-observable creatures that aren’t visible to the unaided eye, which led her to studying marine bacteria for her undergraduate and master’s studies. She notes how her love of the ocean with its wide range of diverse and complex life is what drives her to continue down her present path.

Regarding future changes she sees in her field, Livar tells Labroots that the role of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for conducting marine research will increase within the next five years. Livar notes that while the present capabilities of AUVs strictly involve sample collection, she envisions a future where their capabilities will improve to both sample collection and on-site analysis, as well.

Regarding someone who influenced her decision to pursue studying marine bacteria, Livar praises the world-famous wildlife documentary host, David Attenborough, along with her present advisor, Dr. Susanne Neuer, who is also the founding director of ASU’s School of Ocean Futures. Livar notes that despite her oceanic passion that she says “…was being formed all of her life”, she notes a surprising trait about her is an actual fear of the ocean, specifically pertaining to the fear of the unknown.

“The vastness of the ocean means that researchers have barely scratched the surface of what there is to discover. Every year new features, wrecks, and marine organisms are being identified despite the centuries of research that has already been accomplished. Part of my decision to enter the field of marine microbial ecology is so that I could better understand how the ocean operates and to lessen my fear of the unknown.”

Outside of research, Livar has been active in several clubs and organizations, including the Brown Bag coordinator for the School of Life Sciences (SOLS) graduate students, treasurer for the Microbiology and Molecular Biology Graduate Student Association (MMGSA), volunteer for the Prison Biology Education Program (PBEP), along with the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), American Society of Microbiology (ASM), The Oceanography Society (TOS), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

To connect with Livar and follow her career, please follow her on LinkedIn.

Want to hear more about Britni's research? She'll be presenting at Labroots Microbiology Virtual Week September 3-5. Register for free today!