Scripps Student Spotlight: Kara Wiggin

Kara Wiggin is a fifth-year PhD student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego studying marine biology in the Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine (CMBB). Wiggin was raised in a small town south of Boston, Mass., and she received her undergraduate degree in environmental science with a concentration in marine science at Northeastern University. She went on to receive her master’s degree in biology at California State University, Long Beach, with a focus on ecotoxicology, which is a combination of ecology, toxicology, physiology, analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and mathematics. Wiggin is currently in microbial ecologist Jack Gilbert's lab at Scripps researching how plastic pollution in the ocean interacts with human diseases. This fall, Wiggin is serving as a delegate at COP28, the United Nations climate change conference taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At the COP28 conference, she is set to deliver a talk about marine diseases that are affecting both ocean life and human health as global temperatures rise.

explorations now (en):  Why did you choose to attend Scripps?

Kara Wiggin (KW): I chose to attend Scripps because I love how Scripps encourages interdisciplinary and collaborative research. Scripps is a great place to be able to work with and learn from a lot of different people in a variety of fields.

en: What are you researching at Scripps?

KW: My research focuses on microplastic pollution as a vector for human diseases in the marine environment. It is a combination of ecotoxicology, microbiology, and disease ecology!

I am currently researching how plastic pollution in the ocean is interacting with the diseases that can affect humans, namely the bacteria that causes shellfish-related food poisoning called vibriosis. These two things don’t seem like they have anything to do with each other, but plastic pollution and this bacteria (Vibrio parahaemolyticus) are usually found in the same coastal areas. Vibrio parahaemolyticus loves to attach to surfaces, meaning that if plastic pieces are soaking in ocean waters that contain this bacteria, it can colonize the surface of the plastic. 

Vibrio bacteria being found on the surface of plastics is problematic for a few reasons. First, you don’t want to be picking up plastic on the beach without washing your hands, or using gloves. Second, this bacteria-laden plastic can travel long distances and potentially spread this bacteria to new areas. Third, marine organisms can eat this bacteria-laden plastic and the bacteria can accumulate inside the organism, becoming dangerous to humans if we eat them. This is a particular concern for shellfish such as oysters, mussels, and clams, which we often eat raw (in the case of oysters), or undercooked. 

en: How did you become interested in science and your field of study?

KW: I have been interested in science from a young age and have always loved being in nature, learning about trees, bugs, and tide pool critters. As I became older, I became very passionate about environmental science, particularly the issue of plastic pollution and trash, which led me to my current research. As an undergraduate student, I studied coral diseases, and through my interest in marine diseases and plastic, I came up with my current line of research.

en: What’s life like as a Scripps student? Describe a typical day.

KW: Life as a Scripps student varies. Each day is different, however, a typical day often includes a mixture of lab work and experiments in the aquarium and data analysis at my desk. I always try to spend a few minutes sitting in the sun by the water!

en: What’s the most exciting thing about your work (in the field or in the lab)?

KW: The most exciting thing about my work is learning new things! I love to learn new analysis tools and new lab techniques. The most exciting day is when I finally run a successful experiment with a new protocol I developed in the lab, or when I finally get new code to run successfully.

en: Are there any role models or mentors who have helped you along the way?

KW: I have had incredible role models and mentors throughout my life, both in undergraduate and graduate school. One of my most influential role models was the PhD student I worked with as an undergraduate student at Northeastern University, Sarah Gignoux-Wolfsohn. She taught me so much about being a graduate student, persistence, and how to do science itself. She is a brilliant scientist, and I was so lucky to learn from her during those years! I also attribute a lot of my current success to my master’s advisor, Erika Holland, who trained me to be a very careful and thorough researcher and pushed me to be the best scientist I could be every day. She has been so supportive throughout my master's degree and PhD journey!

en: What are some of the challenges you face as a student?

KW: The main challenge I face as a student is balance. There is so much I want to learn, so much I have to do for my research, and so many other opportunities I want to take advantage of like teaching, service, outreach, and lectures. It’s tricky to figure out how to balance every day, month, and year to get as much out of this program as you can while at the same time as getting your research done!

en: What are your plans post-Scripps?

KW: I would really like to do a postdoctoral fellowship or two after graduation. I would also like to focus on further developing my research ideas in the intersection of microplastics and disease ecology, as well as my research interests in immunology to enhance this research!

You can find Wiggin on X/Twitter @karawiggin, and in this CBS 8 news clip: San Diego researcher shows impacts of microplastics on human body.