1. People & Departments
  2. Washington College
  3. Rebecca Mensch

Rebecca Mensch

Faculty
Department of Environmental Science & Studies
  • Visiting Assistant Professor Environmental Studies

Portrait photo of Rebecca Mensch

I am a marine biologist with a research emphasis on mollusks, especially cephalopods and gastropods. As a VAP, I do not have a formal research program but I have been able to continue some of my past work on marine gastropod care and deep-sea Chiroteuthid squids. Classes I teach at Washington College include ENV101/102: Introduction to Environmental Science, ENV294: Special Topics - Aquarium Sciences and Studies, ENV302: Conservation and Wildlife Techniques lab, BIO112: General Biology 1 lab, BIO114: General Biology 2 lab. I also mentor several seniors each year for their senior capstone project.

 

Education

  • Ph.D., Marine Biology (School of Earth and Oceanic Sciences), Auckland University of Technology, 2010
  • B.S., Marine Biology, Florida Institute of Technology, 2008

 

Academic Expertise

  • Mollusks
  • Cephalopods
  • Gastropods

I am interested in a broad range of environmental and biological topics. I have advised senior capstones on topics ranging from the American Eel black market, to installing a rain garden on campus. Given my background, I also advise many of the marine focused senior theses.

 

Additional Information

  • Mensch, R.A. 2025. Observations of and care notes for three species of large marine gastropods in the family Fasciolariidae from coastal Western Atlantic waters. Drum and Croaker 56(2025):180-187
  • Mensch, R.A. 2022. Notes and observations on the growth of a True Tulip, Fasciolaria tulipa (Linnaeus, 1758) in Human Care. American Conchologist. 50(4):14–19
  • Leal, J.H. & R.A. Mensch. 2019. Swift strike by the gastropod Scaphella junonia on its gastropod prey Americoliva sayana. Bulletin of Marine Science 95(1):27-28
  • Leal, J.H., A.J. Kohn, R.A. Mensch. 2017. A veliconcha unveiled: Observations on the larva and radula of Conus spurius, with implications for the origin of molluscivory in Conus. American Malacological Bulletin 35(2):111-118
  • Mensch, R.A. 2010. A systematic review of the squid genus Chiroteuthis (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) in New Zealand waters. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
  • Master's of Applied Science, Honors, Second class, First degree