Dr. Meghan Holst
Ph.D., Ecology and Conservation
Dr. Meghan M. Holst is a marine scientist and research consultant specializing in aquarium science, animal welfare, ecology, and conservation. With over a decade of experience bridging academic research and applied conservation, she brings comprehensive expertise in study design, statistical analysis, and field operations to support institutions developing robust research programs.
Dr. Holst earned her Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of California, Davis, where her research on broadnose sevengill sharks in San Francisco Bay integrated stable isotope analysis, physiology, and local ecological knowledge to define critical nursery habitats and identify key areas for conservation. Her Master's research at San Francisco State University focused on octopus behavior and physiology with direct applications to animal welfare. She holds specialized training in aquarium science and is a certified scientific diver with extensive small vessel operation experience. She currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Davis, leading research on contaminant dynamics in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
Beyond consulting, Dr. Holst is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Minorities In Aquarium & Zoo Science (MIAZS), a 501(c)3 nonprofit advancing diversity in zoological professions, and Co-Founder and President of Ocean Science Expedition Academy (OSEA), which advances marine conservation through hands-on field research training and public outreach. She also co-hosts the science podcast Sharkpedia, where she interviews leading elasmobranch researchers to make shark science more accessible to the general public.
Through Meghan Holst Consulting, Dr. Holst combines her extensive breadth of research, leadership, and teaching experience to help organizations transform their data into impactful science and build lasting research capacity.
Education & Programs
Ph.D., Ecology, Conservation Biology
University of California, Davis (2024)
M.S., Biology, Physiology and Behavioral Biology
San Francisco State University (2020)
Certificate in Aquarium Science with Honors
Oregon Coast Community College (2015)
B.S., Biology, Marine Biology Option
Oregon State University (2014, Cum Laude)
Field Intensive Undergraduate Research Program, Coastal Marine Ecology
Hatfield Marine Science Center (2013)
Field Intensive Undergraduate Research Program, Tropical Marine Ecology
CIEE Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean (2013)
Skills & Certifications
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Proficient in R for data analysis, visualization, and statistical modeling
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Motorboat Operator Training Course Certification
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Extensive small vessel operation experience
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AAUS Scientific Diver Certification
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Advanced nearshore marine field experience
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PADI Divemaster Certification
Professional Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 2024 - Present
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Minorities in Aquarium & Zoo Science (MIAZS), Baltimore, MD, 2021 - Present
Senior Biologist & Principal Investigator
Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco, CA, 2017 - 2022
Aquarist/Biologist
Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport OR, 2016 - 2017
Divemaster
Bottomdwellers, Inc. & Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 2012 - 2017
Aquarist and Research Technician
Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory at Oregon State University, Corvallis OR, 2015 - 2016
Seasonal Aquarist
Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, OR, 2014 - 2015
Publications
Comparison of Physiological Stress Indices in Anesthetized and Manually Restrained Leopard Sharks
Holst, M.M.; Wheaton, C.J., Schoen, A.N., Spangenberg, J.V., McEligot, K.T., Schouest, M.L., Burns, C.M., Mylniczenko, N.D. (2024) Comparison of Physiological Stress Indices in Anesthetized and Manually Restrained Leopard Sharks, Triakis semifasciata. Biology 13(11):878.
Cephalopoda
Holst, M.M., Howard, R.B. and Crook, R.J. (2024). Cephalopoda. In The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory and Other Research Animals (eds H. Golledge and C. Richardson).
Hematologic and Plasma Biochemical Reference Values for Captive Leopard Sharks (Triakis semifasciata)
Arndt, A.J., Holst, M.M., Spangenberg, J.V. (2024). Hematologic and Plasma Biochemical Reference Values for Captive Leopard Sharks (Triakis semifasciata). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 55(3):763-768.
It Pays to Be Bumpy: Drag Reducing Armor in the Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker, Eumicrotremus orbis
Hoover, R. C., Hawkins, O. H., Rosen, J., Wilson, C. D., Crawford, C. H., Holst, M.M., Huie, J. M., Summers, A. P., Donatelli, C. M., and Cohen, K.E. (2023). It Pays to Be Bumpy: Drag Reducing Armor in the Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker, Eumicrotremus orbis. Integrative And Comparative Biology 63:796–807.
Behavioral changes in senescent giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) are associated with peripheral neural degeneration and loss of epithelial tissue
Holst, M.M., et al. (2022). Behavioral changes in senescent giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) are associated with peripheral neural degeneration and loss of epithelial tissue. Journal of Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 271:111263.
The use of a species-specific health and welfare assessment tool for giant Pacific octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini
Holst, M.M., & Miller-Morgan, T. (2020). The use of a species-specific health and welfare assessment tool for giant Pacific octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 24(3):272-291.
Funding & Grant Awards
Metropolitan Water District
2025-2027 ($192,000) – Role: Project Lead
Modeling contaminant detections and toxicity as a function of outflow in the Delta
Wild Animal Initiative Small Grant Award
2023-2025 ($19,200) – Role: PI
Assessing the anthropogenic impacts, long-term health, and welfare of elasmobranch species within San Francisco Bay, California
Save Our Seas Foundation Small Grant Award
2022-2023 ($9,267) – Role: PI
Conservation evaluation for the unregulated and vulnerable apex predator, the broadnose sevengill shark, Notorynchus cepedianus
The Company of Biologist Travel Grant
2022 ($2,486) – Role: PI
Investigation of the physiological stress response of a vulnerable apex predator within essential fish habitat
Selected Presentations
Shark fisheries, management, and conservation
Holst M. “Shark fisheries, management, and conservation.” University of California, Davis. Fish Biology and Conservation course. Invited speaker. November 2024.
Resources for Employee Retention and Mental Well-Being
Holst, M., Janssen J. “Resources for Employee Retention and Mental Well-Being”. Regional Aquatics Workshop (RAW). Oral Presentation. 6 May 2024.
Wellbeing and Welfare Monitoring Virtual Workshop #1
Arndtsen C, Bauer E, Brown M, George L, Holst M., Jewel J, Jones R, McDowell A, Nelson B Penfold L, Shepard B, Stark-Posta B, Wieck R, Zevalkink M. “Wellbeing and Welfare Monitoring Virtual Workshop #1”. Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Panel Member. Virtual. 23 February 2023.
Behavioral and physiological metrics of sensory decline and welfare in senescent giant Pacific octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini
Holst M. “Behavioral and physiological metrics of sensory decline and welfare in senescent giant Pacific octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini.” Regional Aquatics Workshop (RAW). Moody Gardens. Galveston, TX. 23 February 2022. Received “Best Of Raw” award.
Ally Skills Workshop
Holst M., Janssen J. “Ally Skills Workshop”. Workshop Leader. Regional Aquatics Workshop (RAW). Moody Gardens. Galveston, TX. 22 February 2022.
Increasing and Retaining Minority Professionals in Aquarium Careers
Holst M., Janssen J., Brandy G. “Increasing and Retaining Minority Professionals in Aquarium Careers”. Panel Member. Regional Aquatics Workshop (RAW). Moody Gardens. Galveston, TX. 22 February 2022.
Shark Friends Career Q&A
Holst M., Schiffman D, Bangley C. “Shark Friends Career Q&A”. University of Miami, Sharks and Rays course. Virtual invited lecturer. March 2022.
Shark fisheries, management, and conservation
Holst M. “Shark fisheries, management, and conservation.” Humboldt State University. Biology of Sharks and Rays course. Virtual invited lecturer. February 2022.
Shark fisheries, management, and conservation
Holst M. “Shark fisheries, management, and conservation.” University of California, Davis. Fish Biology and Conservation course. Virtual invited lecturer. October 2021.
Shark fisheries, management, and conservation
Holst M. “Shark fisheries, management, and conservation.” University of California, Davis. Fish Biology and Conservation course. Virtual invited lecture. October 2021.
Increasing and Retaining Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Science
Holst M., Janssen J. “Increasing and Retaining Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Science.” Aquatic Animal Life Support Operators Symposium. Virtual Poster Presentation. August 2021.
Ally Skills Workshop
Holst M., Janssen J., Day M. “Ally Skills Workshop.” American Association of Zoo Keepers. Virtual Conference. Virtual Workshop Leader. August 2021.
Increasing and Retaining Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Science
Holst M., Janssen J. “Increasing and Retaining Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Science.” American Association of Zoo Keepers. Virtual Poster Presentation. August 2021.
Implications of the Physiological Changes During Senescence on the Welfare of Giant Pacific Octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini
Holst M. “Implications of the Physiological Changes During Senescence on the Welfare of Giant Pacific Octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini.” The Cephalopod Symposium. Seattle, WA. 24 April 2019. Oral Presentation
Applying Research-Based Concepts to the Welfare Interpretation of the Giant Pacific Octopus
Holst M. “Applying Research-Based Concepts to the Welfare Interpretation of the Giant Pacific Octopus.” Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Annual Conference. Seattle, WA. 27 September 2018. Oral Presentation.
Applying Vertebrate Concepts to Invertebrates for Long-term Health and Conservation
Holst M. “Applying Vertebrate Concepts to Invertebrates for Long-term Health and Conservation.” Regional Aquatics Workshop (RAW). New England Aquarium. Boston, MA. 12 May 2017. Oral Presentation.
Stress Interpretation via Behavioral Analysis of Octopus
Holst M. “Stress Interpretation via Behavioral Analysis of Octopus.” International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA). Oregon Coast Aquarium. Newport, OR. 25 April 2017. Oral Presentation.
Stress Interpretation via Behavioral Analysis of Octopus
Holst M. “Stress Interpretation via Behavioral Analysis of Octopus.” Octopus Symposium and Workshop. Seattle Aquarium. Seattle, WA. 19 April 2017. Oral Presentation.
Sketch It Up: An In-house Approach to LSS Design and Development
Atkinson M., Buster M. “Sketch It Up: An In-house Approach to LSS Design and Development.” Aquatic Animal Life Support Operators Workshop (AALSO). The Newport Aquarium. Newport, KY. 2 April 2015. Poster Presentation.
Sketch It Up: An In-house Approach to LSS Design and Development
Atkinson M., Buster M, Hannum R, Hansen C. “Sketch It Up: An In-house Approach to LSS Design and Development.” Regional Aquatics Workshop (RAW). Monterey Bay Aquarium. Monterey Bay, CA. 4 March 2015. Oral Presentation. Received “Best Of Raw” award.
Influence of habitat on defecation behavior of queen (Scarus vetula) and princess (Scarus taeniopterus) parrotfish
Atkinson M. “Influence of habitat on defecation behavior of queen (Scarus vetula) and princess (Scarus taeniopterus) parrotfish. CIEE Research Station public student research symposium. Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean. 21 November 2013. Oral Presentation.
The Fear Factor: Prey Grazing Response in Presence of Predators
Atkinson M., Beazley M, Derlacki T. “The Fear Factor: Prey Grazing Response in Presence of Predators.” Hatfield Marine Science Center student symposium. Newport, OR. 4 June 2013. Oral Presentation.