Earth Scientist and Science Communicator
Earth Scientist and Science Communicator

Biography

Cailene Gunn is an Earth scientist in the Coastal Sciences Division at the Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory at PNNL-Sequim. Cailene received her BS in Geology from Bates College in Maine with a focus on biogeochemistry. Her current work is largely focused on environmental monitoring for marine renewable energy applications, and project science communications.

Cailene’s background is in restoration ecology and biogeochemical cycling in coastal environments along the terrestrial-aquatic interface. Her research experience includes greenhouse gas assessments of forested and wetland ecosystems, large-scale carbon assessments in the Pacific Northwest, and environmental monitoring through field research and GIS mapping. She now works with the Triton Initiative, a project working to progress the marine renewable energy industry by researching potential environmental impacts of marine energy deployments. Cailene leads Triton’s communications and engagement and is a STEM Ambassador dedicated to outreach and science communication.

Research Interest

  • Environmental monitoring for marine renewable energy
  • Science communication
  • Ecosystem resilience and restoration
  • Biogeochemical cycling and greenhouse gas dynamics in coastal ecosystems
  • STEM education and environmental justice

Education

BS in Geology, Bates College

Publications

2022

  • Amerson, A.M., T.M. Harris, S.R. Michener, C.M. Gunn and J.H. Haxel. 2022. "A Summary of Environmental Monitoring Recommendations for Marine Energy Development That Considers Life Cycle Sustainability." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 10, no. 5:586. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10050586
  • Gunn C.M., A.M. Amerson, K.L. Adkisson, and J. Haxel. 2022. "A framework for effective science communication, outreach and engagement strategies and disseminating research findings for marine energy projects." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 10, no. 2:130. PNNL-SA-169179. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10020130 

2020

  • Ward N.D., J.L. Indivero, C.M. Gunn, W. Wang, V.L. Bailey, and N.G. McDowell. 2020. Longitudinal gradients in tree stem greenhouse gas concentrations across six Pacific Northwest coastal forests. PNNL-30257. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Longitudinal gradients in tree stem greenhouse gas concentrations across six Pacific Northwest coastal forests
  • Yabusaki S.B., A.N. Myers-Pigg, N.D. Ward, S.R. Waichler, A. Sengupta, Z. Hou, and X. Chen, et al. 2020. "Floodplain inundation and salinization from a recently restored first-order tidal stream." Water Resources Research 56, no. 7:Article No. e2019WR026850. PNNL-SA-149723. doi:10.1029/2019WR026850

2019

  • Wang W., N.G. McDowell, N.D. Ward, J.L. Indivero, C.M. Gunn, and V.L. Bailey. 2019. "Constrained tree growth and gas-exchange of seawater-exposed forests in the Pacific Northwest, USA." Journal of Ecology 107, no. 6:2541-2552. PNNL-SA-144278. doi:10.1111/1365-2745.13225
  • Ward N.D., J.L. Indivero, C.M. Gunn, W. Wang, V.L. Bailey, and N.G. McDowell. 2019. "Longitudinal gradients in tree stem greenhouse gas concentrations across six Pacific Northwest coastal forests." Journal of Geophysical Research. Biogeosciences 124, no. 6:1401-1412. PNNL-SA-138892. doi:10.1029/2019JG005064
  • Borde, A., Zimmerman, S., Cullinan, V., Gunn, C., & Hanson, A. (2019) Lower Columbia River and Estuary Habitat Monitoring Study, PNNL-26476. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
  • Sengupta, A., Indivero, J., Gunn, C., Tfaily, M. M., Chu, R. K., Toyoda, J., Bailey, V., Ward, N., & Stegen,     J. C. (2019). Spatial gradients in the characteristics of soil-carbon fractions are associated with abiotic features but not microbial communities. Biogeosciences, 16(19), 3911-3928.

2018

  • Diefenderfer H.L., V.I. Cullinan, A.B. Borde, C.M. Gunn, and R.M. Thom. 2018. "High-Frequency Greenhouse Gas Flux Measurement System Detects Winter Storm Surge Effects on Salt Marsh." Global Change Biology 24, no. 12:5961-5971. PNNL-SA-135874. doi:10.1111/gcb.14430

2016

  • Johnson, B., Bohlen, C. C., Gunn, C., Beirne, E., Barry, C., Craig, M., & Dostie, P. 2016. Ecogeomorphology of two salt marshes in midcoast Maine. Portland, ME: University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership. https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/cbep-publications/24/
  • Gunn, C. M. (2016). Methane emissions along a salinity gradient of a restored salt marsh in Casco Bay, Maine. Bates College Honors Theses. 175.