Gerick Bergsma

Dr. Gerick Bergsma is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Marine Science at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB). He also serves as curator of the CSUMB Biological Teaching Collection within the College of Science. His roles include leading professional development programs for the Science Internship Program (SIP) and Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC). Dr. Bergsma holds a PhD and MS in Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology from UC Santa Barbara, and a BS in Zoology from the University of Washington.

His research focuses on ecology, marine science, and community ecology, particularly examining how species interactions influence biological communities. Teaching emphasizes field and lab-based courses in ecology, zoology, and wildlife biology. He actively develops undergraduate research and internship programs. Notable contributions include digital archiving of biological specimens and workshops for student professional development.

Research areas span coral reef ecology, symbiotic relationships, and marine biodiversity. His work bridges natural history with modern ecological frameworks, emphasizing morphological and interaction-based mechanisms in ecosystems.