Jesseca Kusher

About me

I am a quantitative marine ecologist interested in data-driven approaches for reducing spatial bias in scalable models of ecosystem productivity.

In 2025-26 I was a John A. Knauss Fellow/Science and Technology Advisor in the Headquarters of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the U.S. Federal Government.

My previous experience ranges from studying the movement ecology of storm petrels (a fantastic seabird) to my master’s research developing biophysical models of phytoplankton ecology and blue carbon sequestration via fieldwork and remote sensing techniques in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

I am currently searching for a PhD position en route to a career in academia.

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Skills not included in my CV

  • Plastic-wrapped a marine library (hurricane prep)
  • Made a functional sail out of a tarp in a thunderstorm while canoeing ~200 miles (right)
  • Identified a heart-attack and successfully med-evacuated a patient onto a helicopter
  • Competed in Grand Mannan (NB) Canada Day telephone pole, made it ~1 meter (the barrel was about that long)
  • Organized trivia nights on a remote field station for a field season; learned conflict resolution

Read my CV

Get in touch: kusherjm@g.cofc.edu

About me

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The best research questions are riddles.

Hello! I’m Jess, a quantitative marine ecologist with a zeal for describing the changing patterns of our world’s oceans. Following my fellowship year of ocean policy and conservation work in Washington, D.C. and a master’s degree studying estuarine spatial ecology, I intend to pursue a PhD en route to a career in academia. For my PhD work, I hope to further develop my burgeoning skills in biophysical modeling of ecosystem productivity by utilizing mixed-methods approaches (e.g. remote sensing via satellite, continuous environmental data via buoy/station, animal movement data for targeted sampling approaches, etc.).

My personal interests include whitewater canoeing, backpacking, and exploring nature. I am especially happy with a pair of binoculars (I would hate to miss a good bird), climbing over fucus-covered rocks to see whatever the sea might have brought in with the tide.

Please contact me at kusherjm@g.cofc.edu. You can view my CV here.

Curriculum vitae

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Jesseca Kusher CV
2025 Update: Please contact me directly for an updated copy of my CV.

Contact
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Please first email kusherjm@g.cofc.edu. Note that the College of Charleston spam filters are extremely sensitive. I can also be contacted using the form below.

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