Advisor: Dr. Risa Cohen

"My name is Yazmine Arthur and I recently graduated from North Carolina Central University with my Bachelors of Science in biology along with a minor in earth science. I was born and raised in North Carolina and partly fostered my passion for marine science while visiting North and South Carolina shores. During my undergraduate career, I participated in internships where I studied noninvasive sampling methods for African Penguins and the varying PFAS levels of the Raquette River in upstate New York. These experiences shaped my research interests and have led me to pursue the conservation of aquatic habitats and species. Outside of research and education, I enjoy reading, playing video games and watching movies. As for my future academic career, I aspire to gain a graduate degree in a program focused on the preservation of marine ecosystems."

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Advisor: Dr. Anthony Siccardi

"My name is Auden Grant and I graduated with a degree in Biology from the University of South Carolina in May 2024. I grew up on the coast in Myrtle Beach, SC where going to the beach and fishing were some of my favorite activities. In the past, I worked with optomotor to determine visual acuity and polarization sensitivity of mud and porcelain crabs as well as studying their spatial learning. After the fellowship, I plan on attending graduate school to pursue a degree in aquaculture with focuses on sustainability and the impact of climate change. In my free time, I enjoy thrifting, going to aquariums, trying new foods, and taking my cat for nature walks."

Advisors: Dr. James Roberts & Dr. Stephen Vives

"My name is Megan Mathis, and I graduated from the College of Coastal Georgia in 2024 with a B.S. in biology with a concentration in coastal ecology. I am originally from Vidalia, Georgia, I developed a passion for the water through my visits to the Golden Isles. My experience includes working with the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve on juvenile fish trawls and with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources on sea turtle conservation on Little Cumberland Island. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, hiking, and spending quality time with friends and family. I aspire to pursue a master’s degree in natural resource management and specialize in fisheries management."

Advisor: Dr. Tyler Cyronak

"Hello! My name is Amanda B. Melendez-Perez. Originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico, I’m very accustomed to life by the sea. I graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences and minors in Biology and Foreign Languages. My current academic focus is in marine biology and molecular biology, with a particular interest in coral health, disease prevention, and reef reconstruction efforts. In the past, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of the Puerto Rico Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and conducted research on coral reefs in the submarine lagoon of the Caja de Muertos Natural Reserve. I absolutely love sailing, the beach, singing and playing guitar, thrifting for new trinkets, anything lavender-flavored, scuba diving, and you’ll never catch me without a book in hand. In the future, I’d like to pursue a graduate degree and commit to advancing our understanding of coral reefs and contributing to their preservation for future generations."

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Advisor: Organismal Ecology Group (Colon-Gaud, Roberts, Vives, McBrayer)

"My name is Hervé Jr. Pierre-Paul and I graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Zoology in 2024. I was born to Haitian parents in Broward County Florida where I was put in an international school to study French while also being taught creole at home so that I would be able to understand and communicate with my Haitian family members. I am interested in wildlife ecology and conservation with a focus on zoogeochemistry. I like to play video games as well as record and edit videos for myself, friends, and family. Additionally, I've been learning how to do pixel art. At the University of Florida I worked on various projects in Dr. Amanda Subalusky's lab focused on zoogeochemistry. In the future, I'd like to pursue a graduate degree in ecology and work as a lab technician and maybe a lab manager on projects and systems I find cool. "

Advisor: Dr. Checo Colon-Gaud

"My name is Hazel Quarterman. I am a 2024 graduate of the University of Georgia, where I earned my degree in Fisheries and Wildlife with a focus on aquatic sciences and ecology. Much of my childhood was spent exploring and fishing the salt marsh of Georgia's coast with my family. In those early years, I developed an interest in all things associated with water. In the past, I have studied freshwater aquatic insects as a lab assistant and have enjoyed a position as an outreach intern for the Savannah River Ecology Lab (SREL), introducing members of the community to the work being done by SREL researchers. When I’m not working, I like to spend my time hiking, camping, reading, and cooking. In the future, I hope to pursue a graduate degree in ecosystem ecology with an emphasis on natural resource use that will ultimately allow me to help coastal communities combat the impending stressors of climate change."

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Advisor: Dr. Stephen Greiman

"My name is Laila Richards and I graduated from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental & Ocean Science in May of 2024. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas with my younger brother and sister. I am interested in marine ecosystem conservation, marine mammals, and marine ecology. I love the outdoors, especially aquatic activities like paddle boarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving. I enjoy camping , cooking, board games, and reading. In the future I would like to pursue my PhD in marine ecology with the goal of conducting applied ecological research in aquatic ecosystems. "

Advisor: Dr. Lance McBrayer

"Hello, my name is Isaiah Samek; I am from Greenville, Kentucky. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky. I am very interested in herpetofauna, specifically how they respond to environmental factors viewed through a lens at multiple scales (no pun intended). I also have a burning question about the tongue morphology of Colubrid snakes, and why it seems to vary so much between individuals. I am hoping to obtain a graduate degree, but most importantly I have questions that I need answered and I am devoted to becoming the best researcher that I can become. When I’m not in the field, you can usually find me playing boardgames, writing, or watching the Bills game."

Advisor: Dr. John Carroll

"Hi everyone! My name is Aubry Shaw and I'm from Wolfeboro, NH. Growing up in New Hampshire fostered my love for nature and the outdoors, leading me to pursue a degree in environmental science, which I completed at Connecticut College in 2022. I am interested in marine invertebrate ecology and their resiliency in the face of climate change, and am especially passionate about rocky intertidal inhabitants. In the past, I've worked with various marine invertebrates including coral, crabs, and urchins through organizations like Mote Marine Lab and the Nature Conservancy. In my free time, I love to bake, play piano, listen to live music, and explore new places.  In the future, I'd like to pursue a master's degree specializing in marine invertebrates and their ecology."

Advisor: Dr. Lisa Brown

"My name is Piper Zellner and I am from Wrightsville, Georgia. I graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachlor of Science in Biology in Fall 2023. For a little over two years, I conducted research with my mentor Dr. Lisa Brown with financial support from the Chandler Scholarship studying the impact of larval density of fleas on adult life history traits and the immune response of adult cat fleas. I am interested in understanding how insect vectors transmit bacteria to mammals that result in immunocompromising diseases. In my free time, I enjoy painting, shopping, and playing tennis. In the future, I would like to obtain a graduate degree studying immunology and possibly continue conducting research in biomedical sciences."