Curriculum Vitae

Sean Patrick Grace

Professor, Department of Biology 

Co-Director, Werth Center for Coastal and Marine Studies

Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 06515

Contact: (203)-392-6216, graces2@southernct.edu

Education

Ph.D. Biology          Department of Biological Sciences,                    2004                University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 

M.S. Zoology           Department of Biological Sciences,                    1996                University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 

B.S.  Biology             Department of Biology,                                              1991                University of Maryland, College Park, MD 

                                                               Relevant Teaching Experience

August 2020- Present: Professor

September 2009 – 2020: Associate Professor           

January 2004- September 2009: Assistant Professor 

I have taught major and non-major undergraduate courses including: General Zoology, General Biology, Environmental Biology and Conservation, Human Biology I and II, Physiology, Animal Physiology (traditional, hybrid, online), Marine Biology, Undergraduate Independent Research and Honor’s theses. Additionally, taught graduate courses including: Conservation Ecology (traditional, hybrid and online), Population and Community Ecology (online), Marine Invertebrate Ecology, Coastal Resources Management, Marine Algae (traditional and hybrid), Animal Physiology (traditional, hybrid and online), Research Methods (traditional) and Graduate Seminar Special Topics: Statistics and Master’s Thesis Research.

Research Interests

Abiotic and biotic factors affecting the ecology of near-shore, shallow-water marine communities.

Publications

T. Massari and S.P Grace. (in prep). Bio-eroding sponge competition decreases attachment strength in temperate scleractinian corals. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.

Bhageloo, C., V. Breslin, and S.P. Grace (in prep). Macroalgae as Bioindicators for Mercury Contamination in Long Island Sound. Marine Pollution Bulletin.


Kelly, S., K.C. Hamel, T. Armstrong,  C. Narvaez, S.P. Grace, and C.J. Feehan. (2024). Sea urchin Arbacia punctulata feeding preference for algal turf versus kelp in a degraded kelp forest ecosystem. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2023.151976


Stankiewicz, K., N. Guiglielmoni, S. Kitchen, J. Flot, K. Barott, S. Davies, J. Finerty, S.P.   Grace,  L. Kaufman, H. Putnam, R. Rotjan, K. Sharp, and I. Baums. (in prep).  Comparative genomics of the temperate coral, Astrangia poculata with tropical corals reveals insights into winter quiescence, innate immunity, and sexual reproduction.    Peer Community Journal. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.09.22.558704

Filbee-Dexter, K., S, Augustine, F. de Bettignies, M. Burrows, J. Byrnes, J. Campbell, D.  Davoult, K. Dunton, C. J. Feehan, J. N. Franco, I. Garrido, S.P. Grace, K. Hancke, L. E.  Johnson, B. Konar, K. Krumhansl, P. J. Moore, M. F. Pedersen, K. M. Norderhaug, A.  O’Dell, A. Salomon, D. Smale, I. Sousa-Pinto, S. Tiegs, T. Wernberg, and D. Yiu. (2022). Kelp carbon sink potential decreases with warming due to accelerating decomposition. PLOS Biology. https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3001702

Trumbauer, W., S.P. Grace, and L.J. Rodrigues. (2022). Seasonal bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of Astrangia poculata. Marine Pollution Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113180 

Pessarrodona, A., K. Filbee-Dexter, T. Alcoverro, J. Boada, C. J. Feehan, S. Fredriksen, S.P. Grace, Y. Nakamura, C. A. Narvaez, K. M. Norderhaug, and T. Wernberg. 2021.  Homogenization and miniaturization of habitat structure in temperate marine forests. Global Climate Change. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15759 

Trumbauer, W., S.P. Grace, and L.J. Rodrigues. 2021. Physiological seasonality in the symbiont and host of the northern star coral, Astrangia poculata. Coral Reefs. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-021-02119-5 

Filbee-Dexter, K., T. Wernberg, S.P. Grace, J. Thormar, S. Fredriksen, C.N. Narvaez, C.J.  Feehan, and K.M. Norderhaug. 2020. Marine heatwaves and the collapse of North  Atlantic kelp forests. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-70273-x 

S.P. Grace, and C.J. Feehan. 2020. Temperate urchins clearing space for corals.  Frontiers in  Ecology and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2168

Feehan, C.J., S.P. Grace and C.A. Narvaez. 2019. “Ecological feedbacks stabilize a turf- dominated ecosystem at the southern extent of kelp forests in the Northwest Atlantic.”  Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43536-5

Hedreen, R., and Grace, S.P. 2019. Creation of a gamefish occurrence dataset from public-focused informational newsletters. https://doi:10.31230/osf.io/85tf4

Grace, S.P., M. LaFrance-Bartley, P. English, J.W. King, and A.A. Kahn. 2019. Evaluation of Biofouling Communities on Wind Turbine Foundations at the Block Island Wind Farm, Rhode Island. Draft Report to the U.S. Department of the Interior,   Bureau of Ocean  Energy Management, Office of Renewable Energy Programs. OCS Study BOEM 2019.

Grace, S.P. and B. Patrizzi. 2018. Presence of the northern star coral (Astrangia poculata) as  an epibiont on the carapace of the spider crab Libinia emarginata in the central Long  Island Sound, USA. Reef Encounter. 33:54-55.

Grace, S.P. 2017. Winter quiescence, growth rate and the release from competition in the  temperate scleractinian coral Astrangia poculata (Ellis & Solander 1786).  Northeastern Naturalist (Special Winter Ecology Issue) 24: 119-134.  https://doi.org/10.1656/045.024.s715 

Guidone, M. and S.P. Grace. 2010. The ratio of gametophytes to tetrasporophytes of intertidal Chondrus crispus (Gigartinaceae) across a salinity gradient. Rhodora 112:80-84. https://doi.org/10.3119/08-35.1 

Gilman, M., and S. P. Grace. 2009. Use of Subtidal Habitat by the Asian Shore Crab  Hemigrapsus sanguineus in Long Island Sound. Northeastern Naturalist 16:481-487. https://doi.org/10.1656/045.016.n314 

Carrington, E., S. P. Grace and T. Chopin. 2001. Life history phase and the biomechanical properties of the red alga Chondrus crispus (Rhodophyta). Journal of Phycology 37: 699-704. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1529-8817.2001.00169.x 

Grace, S. P. 1999. Laminaria saccharina in mussel beds, holding on for dear life.  American Zoologist. 39 (5): 103A.

Sebens, K. P., S. P. Grace, B. S. Helmuth, E. J. Maney Jr., and J. S. Miles. 1998. Water flow and prey capture by three scleractinian corals Madracis mirabilis, Montastrea cavernosa, and Porites porites in a field enclosure. Marine Biology. 131: 346-360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002270050328 

 Witman, J.D., S. Genovese, S.P. Grace, J. Bruno, and  F. Smith. 1997. Assessment of Subtidal Epifaunal Populations in the Vicinity of the North Cape Oil Spill. Technical Report for ASA Environmental, Narragansett, Rhode Island.

Administrative Experience

May 2014-2020, 2023-Present: Chairperson, Department of Biological Sciences.

Overseeing ~200 full-time undergraduate and 35 graduate Biology majors, 12 faculty members, 22 adjunct faculty members, 1 staff, 3 graduate assistantships and 1 university assistant, I serve, lead, manage and coordinate the curriculum and resources that optimize student success. This includes managing a total annual Laboratory Fee Budget of ~$150,000.00 and ~$10,000.00 in Operating Expenses.

January 2011-Present: Co-Director Werth Center for Coastal and Marine Studies. 

As Co-Director of the Werth Center for Coastal and Marine Studies, I helped secure a $3-million-dollar donation to the University from the Werth Family Foundation to endow the center. The center provides scholarships and internships to undergraduate and graduate students interested in studying the marine environments common to Long Island Sound and New England.  Each is employed during both fall and spring semesters and complete research projects.  The Center has expanded from a one-time philanthropic award of $80,000 to SCSU’s first endowed center.

January 2009-2014 (Fall 2019): Department of Biology Graduate Program Coordinator, Responsible for all aspects of the graduate program in Biology. Completed the required Graduate program assessment review in 2006 and 2010. Initiated the development of hybrid and on-line graduate courses. 

January 2004-May 2008: Department of Biology Secondary Education Coordinator. Advised all secondary education students (undergraduate and graduate) on the requirements of the program as well as state of CT requirements. 

Grants/Awards

2021. "Restoration of kelp forests and associated ecosystem services in Long Island Sound". $36,844.00. Connecticut Sea Grant/National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

2019. “Evaluation of Biofouling Communities on Wind Turbine Foundations at the Block Island Wind Farm, Rhode Island”. $19,279.00, Collaboration with John King             (University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography).

 2019. “A documented phase-shift on temperate reefs in Long Island Sound: from kelp to turf dominance”. CSU-AAUP, Faculty Research Grant.  $4,000.00  

2018. “Kelp Farming: a potential contributor to kelp restoration in Long Island Sound”. $2,500.00. Faculty Creative Activities Research Grant. 

 2018. “16th Annual Long Island Sound Seminar Series’. CSU-Faculty Development Grant. $4,000.00, with Drs. Vince Breslin and James Tait.

2018. “Subtidal community development and monitoring on the wind turbine at the Block  Island Wind Farm, Rhode Island”. $10,000.00, Collaboration with John King          (University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography).

2018. “Hidden problems in secret corals; exploring micro plastic abundance in local, temperate corals along an urban gradient”. Boston University Marine Program Research  Grant. $10,000.00, with Randi Rotjan (Boston University), Dr. Juanita Urban-Rick  (University of Massachusetts Boston and Dr. Koty Sharp (Roger Williams University).

2018. “Science Pedagogy III: Engaging students with Research in the Classroom”. CSU-Faculty Development Grant. $4,000.00, with Dr. Rachel Jeffrey.

 2017. “Science Pedagogy II: Advances to Include All Learners”. CSU-Faculty Development Grant. $4,000.00, with Drs. Rachel Jeffrey and Sarah Wojiski.

 2017. “14th Annual Long Island Sound Seminar Series’. CSU-Faculty Development Grant.  $4,000.00, with Drs. Vince Breslin and James Tait.

 2016. “Science Pedagogy: Advances to Include All Learners”. CSU-Faculty Development Grant.  $2,500.00, with Drs. Rachel Jeffrey, Jeffrey Webb (Chemistry) and Karen Cummings (Physics).

2016. “Bacterial assessment of the temperate scleractinian coral Astrangia poculata in Long Island Sound”. CSU-AAUP, Faculty Research Grant. $2,500.00.

2015. “An analysis of mercury sorption in Chondrus crispus across the LIS east-west gradient”. Faculty Creative Activity Research Grant-2016-2017. $2,500.00, with Dr. Vince Breslin (Environmental Studies).

2015. “The Physiology of Dormancy in Temperate Corals”. CSU-AAUP, Faculty Research Grant. $3,745.65.

2014. “Seminar Series in Biology”. CSU-Faculty Development Grant with Drs. Silady, Dunbar, Fisher, Barboza, and Weinbaum. $2,500.00.     

2014. “13th Annual Long Island Sound Seminar Series”. Faculty Development Advisory  Committee Grant. $2,500.00

2013. “12th Annual Long Island Sound Seminar Series”. Faculty Development Advisory Committee Grant. $2,500.00

2013. CSU-Research Grant: Examining the effects of dormancy on the competitive ability of  the temperate scleractinian coral Astrangia poculata. $3,500.00

2012. “Seminar Series in Biology”. Faculty Development Advisory Committee Grant.  $2,500.00

2012. “11th Annual Long Island Sound Seminar Series”. Faculty Development Advisory  Committee Grant. $2,500.00

2011.   “10th Annual Long Island Sound Seminar Series”. Faculty Development Advisory Committee Grant. $2,500.00

2011.   Temperate and Tropical Reef Linkages. RUI Application to the National Science  Foundation. $24,834.60 (unfunded).

2010. “9th Annual Long Island Sound Seminar Series”. Faculty Development Advisory Committee Grant. $2,500.00

2009. “8th Annual Long Island Sound Seminar Series”. Faculty Development Advisory Committee Grant. $2,500.00

2008. “Recovering the Economic Viability of the Connecticut Oyster Fishery: A Research and Education Collaboration” United States Department of Agriculture. $278,819.00. Multi- campus grant with professors from SCSU, CCSU, ESCU, WCSU and Wesleyan University

2008. “7th Annual Long Island Sound Seminar Series”. Faculty Development Advisory Committee Grant. $2,500.00

2008. “An underwater guide to Long Island Sound”: Office of Faculty Development Curriculum Related Activities Grant. $2,050.00

2007. “A Long Island Sound survey of the temperate scleractinian coral Astrangia poculata”.  CSU-Faculty Research Grant (AAUP). $4,100.00

2007. “Inquiry-based General Biology Laboratories using the PASCO X-Plorer Data-logger”.  (Renewal), Office of Faculty Development Curriculum Related Activities Grant. $2,494.00

2007. “Seminar Series in 21st Century Biology”. (Renewal), Faculty Development Advisory Committee Grant. $2,200.00, with Dr. Nicholas Edgington.

2006. “Inquiry-based Marine Biology Laboratories using the PASCO X-Plorer Data-logger”.  (Renewal), Office of Faculty Development Curriculum Related Activities Grant.             $2,494.00.

2006.  “Seminar Series in 21st Century Biology”. (Renewal), Faculty Development Advisory Committee Grant. $2,000.00, with Dr. Nicholas Edgington.

2005. “The effects of substrate stability on the attachment strength and morphology of Fucus vesiculosus in Long Island Sound”. Connecticut Sea Grants Program Development             Fund. $2,252.00.  

2005. “The effects of water flow on the attachment strength of a competitive dominant on an intertidal boulder rocky shore”.  Connecticut State University Research Grant.     $4,500.00.

2005. “Inquiry-based Marine Biology Laboratories using the PASCO X-Plorer Data-logger”. Office of Faculty Development Curriculum Related Activities Grant. $2,444.00.

2004.  Student oriented mathematics and statistics, learning strategies for environmental science majors.  Salve Regina University. Eisenhower Professional Development Program. Co-Directed with Dr. William Stout and Dr. Sandor Kadar.  $83,249.00.

Meetings Attended/Research Presentations

50th Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting. March 29-April 2, 2022. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Sea Urchin Preference for Algal Turf Over Kelp in a Degraded Kelp Forest Ecosystem. Poster presentation with student Sophia Kelly, MSU student Kenneth Hamel and co-investigators, Drs. Colette Feehan and Carla Navraez.

5th  Annual Astrangia Working Group Conference on Temperate Corals. May 2019. Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island. Astrangia History; Arbacia punctulata opening space for temperate corals; Marine heatwaves and species distributions. Co-Organizer with Drs. Koty Sharp (Roger Williams University) and Randi Rotjan (Boston University). 

NEERS (New England Estuarine Research Society). April 2019. York Harbor, Maine. Presentation with Gabriella DiPreta.

75th Northeast Fish and Wildlife Association Conference. April 2019. Groton, CT. Creation of a gamefish occurrence dataset from public-focused informational newsletters. Presentation with Rebecca Hedreen, MLIS, MAEd. 

19th Annual Long Island Sound Research Conference. March 2019. Port Jefferson, NY. Macroalgae as Bio-indicators for Mercury Contamination in Long Island Sound. Presentation with Cassandra Bhageloo and Dr. Vince Breslin.

11th Annual Northeast Aquaculture Conference & Exposition and the 39th Milford Aquaculture Seminar. January 2019. Boston, Massachusetts. Arbacia punctulata Aquaculture, A Possible Control for the Rise of Turf Macroalgae. Presentation with David Veilleux, Drs. Colette Feehan and Carla Narvaez.

 4th  Annual Astrangia Working Group Conference on Temperate Corals. July 2018. Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island. Sponge-coral interactions on temperate reefs. Co-Organizer with Drs. Koty Sharp and Randi Rotjan.

Northeast Algal Symposium. April 2018. New Haven, CT. 2 presentations with students and Dr. Vincent Breslin.

Benthic Ecology Meeting. March 2018. Corpus Christi, Texas. The Perils of Settling on Turf: Reduced Attachment Strength of Kelps and Consequences for Holdfast Morphology. Presentation with Dr. Colette Feehan. 

3rd  Annual Astrangia Working Group Conference on Temperate Corals.  August 2017: Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island.  Historical aspects and modern applications of Astrangia poculata research. Co-Organizer with Drs. Koty Sharp and Randi Rotjan.

Benthic Ecology Meeting. April 2017. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 2 presentations:

1.       “Seasonal growth of the temperate coral Astrangia poculata from 1972 to 1981 using historical photographs” with graduate student Gabriella DiPreta.

2.      “Effects of the Red Boring Sponge Cliona celata on the attachment strength of the temperate scleractinian coral Astrangia poculata” with graduate student Todd Massari.

2nd  Annual Astrangia Working Group Conference on Temperate Corals.  August 2016: Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island.  “Historical aspects and modern applications of Astrangia poculata research”. Co-Organizer with Drs. Koty Sharp and Randi Rotjan.

Benthic Ecology Meeting. March 2016. Portland, Maine. “Winter Quiescence and the release from competition in a New England intertidal coral”.

Rhode Island College Seminar Series Speaker. October 2015. Providence, Rhode Island. “A New England Intertidal Scleractinian Coral, How Astrangia!”

The 51st Annual Conference of the Animal Behavior Society. August 2014. Princeton, NJ. “Dormancy Behavior in Intertidal and Subtidal Populations of Astrangia poculata” with Gabrielle Corradino.

NEERS (New England Estuarine Research Society), October 2012. “What an Astrangia place to settle!” Co-authored with Ms. Beth Patrizzi

14th Connecticut State University Faculty Research Conference, April 2010. “Phytoplankton of LIS: What is in it for the Oysters?” Co-authored with Ms. Melissa Krisak.

Northeast Algal Symposium, Amherst, Massachusetts, April 2009. “Attachment strength in numbers of the Northern Kelp.” Co-authored with Ms. Bethann Balazsi.

Benthic Ecology Meeting, Corpus Christi, Texas, March 2009. Four presentations:

Eleventh Flatfish Biology Conference, Westbrook, Connecticut, December 2008.  “Abundance and Diet of the Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) in a Long Island Sound Marina.” Co-authored with graduate students Michael Gilman, Tara Massari and Beth Patrizzi.

Benthic Ecology Meeting, Providence, Rhode Island, April 2008. “Population and Diet Change in a Long Island Sound Subtidal Community After 18 Years.” Co-authored with graduate student Michael Gilman. 

10th Connecticut State University Faculty Research Conference (October 2006), two presentations.

National Shellfish Association, San Antonio, Texas, February 2007. “Do Epibionts Affect the Attachment Strength of Mytilus edulis?” Co-authored with Mr. James Reinhardt.

Benthic Ecology Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, April 2007. “An New England Intertidal Scleractinian Coral.” 

Northeast Algal Symposium, Narragansett, Rhode Island, April 2007.  “The G:T Ratio of Intertidal Chondrus crispus in Long Island Sound, Connecticut.” Co-authored with student Michele Guidone.

Benthic Ecology Meeting. Quebec, Canada, March 2006. Two presentations.

9th Connecticut State University Research Symposium. New Britain, Connecticut, November 2005.  “Attachment strength of common dominant benthic marine organisms in Narragansett Bay”.

Mathematical Association of America Meeting.  May, 2004.  Westfield, MA. Westfield State University, Westfield, MA. “Interdisciplinary Lively Applications Projects (ILAPs)”. Participant.

Benthic Ecology Meeting.  Orlando, Florida, March 2002.  “Life history phases and the biomechanics of Chondrus crispus”. Co-authored with Drs. E. Carrington and T. Chopin.  

Benthic Ecology Meeting.  Durham, New Hampshire, March 2001. “Algal abrasion: one competitive mechanism affecting temperate algal-coral interactions”.

Benthic Ecology Meeting.  Durham, New Hampshire, March 2001.  “Benthic habitats as proxies for other levels of biodiversity:  Preliminary results from taxonomic surveys in a Bahamanian Coral Reef Ecosystem”. (Poster) Co-authored with Drs. D. R. Brumbaugh, P.A. Mikkelsen, C. B. Boyko, P. Barile, G. Hendler, B. Lapointe, C. Van Pattengill-Semmens, and B. X. Semmens.

Participation 

Astrangia Working Group Co-Organizer.  Astrangia poculata as a research model for all reefs. August 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019. Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI. Astrangia Research and Literature: historical perspective & context. Co-organizer with Drs. Koty Sharp (RWU) and Randi Rotjan (BU).

NEEAN (New England Educational Assessment Network) March 2014. Amherst, MA. “Dialogues in learning and assessment: Using Evidence to Inform Teaching and Learning”. 

Participant and member.

NEEAN (New England Educational Assessment Network) November, 2013. Amherst, MA. “Learning from Assessment”. Participant and member.

NEEAN (New England Educational Assessment Network) March 2013. Amherst, MA. “Dialogues in the Disciplines”. Participant and member.

GIBIS (Guided Inquiry Based Integrated Science) Spring 2012: A Pilot Project for a Sustainable STEM Program. Rhode Island Higher Education Partnership Grants. $206,515.00, with Drs. William Stout, Paula Martesian, Martha Rose, Jameson Chase and Sandor Kadar (Salve Regina University)

NEEAN (New England Educational Assessment Network) March, 2009. Amherst, MA. “Dialogues on Assessment in the Disciplines”. Participant and member.

                                                                                                   Awards/Nominations 

2019 CT State University Board of Regents Research Award Nominee

2015, 2016, 2017. Robert Jirsa Service Award Nominee

2013. Technology Teacher of the Year Award Nominee

2006.  Junior Faculty Research Fellowship Award.  Fall Semester 2006. $500.00.

1997.  Wilce Award for Best Student Poster.  $100.00. Northeast Algal Symposium Meeting, Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Invited seminars

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. February 22, 2018.  Coral quiescence and competition on temperate reefs.

Rhode Island College, Providence, RI. October 22, 2015. A New England intertidal scleractinian coral, how Astrangia!

Dowling College, Oakdale, NY. April 12, 2012. Temperate Coral Reef Habitats, zones of resiliency. 

Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Connecticut. January 26, 2007. “Long Island Sound Corals, their distribution and abundance”.

University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. November 16, 2006. “The distribution of the temperate star coral Astrangia poculata in Narragansett Bay and Long Island Sound”.

Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island, April 14, 2003.  “Coral-kelp competition on shallow subtidal reefs in Narragansett Bay”.

Northeastern University, Marine Science Center, Nahant, Massachusetts, May 13, 1999.  “Invertebrate/Alga Competition on a Temperate Reef”. 

Graduate Thesis Research Mentoring

David Veilleux, MS (Completed May 2006): Communal effects between Argopecten irradians irradians, Littorina littorea, and Ilyanassa obsolete.

James Reinhardt, MS (Completed August 2006): The effects of epibiota on the attachment strength of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis.

Jennifer Adolfsen, MS (Completed Summer 2007): The effect of low temperature on the respiratory and photosynthetic rate of Northern star coral (Astrangia poculata) with high and low densities of zooxanthellae.

Michele Guidone, MS (Completed Spring 2007): The G:T ratio of intertidal Chondrus crispus in the Long Island Sound, Connecticut.

Michael Gilman, MS (Completed Spring 2008): Population and Diet Change In a Long Island Sound Subtidal Community After 19 Years

Bethann Balazsi, MS (Completed Summer 2008): Does group living affect the attachment strength of the Northern Kelp, Laminaria saccharina.  

Miguel Reyes, MS (Completed Fall 2008): Male:female ratios of the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) Populations on the Connecticut Coast.

Beth Patrizzi, MS (Completed Summer 2010): Distribution and diet of the temperate scleractinian coral, Astrangia poculata, in Long Island Sound.

Adam Rudman, MS (Completed Summer 2010): Behavioral responses of juvenile horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus, to chemical and physical cues.

Dana Pietrosimone, MS (Completed Spring 2011): Neural Lipofuscin Concentration as an Indicator of Age in Homarus americanus

Callie Gecewicz, MS (Completed Spring 2012): The effects of temperature on lipofuscin concentrations in a two-year old cohort of the American Lobster Homarus americanus.

Lauren Ventrella, MS (Completed Spring 2013): An intertidal investigation: coral settlement on temperate rocky shores.

Heather Firn, MS (Completed Fall 2013): Bacterial survey of the scleractinian coral Astrangia poculata in Long Island Sound.

Melissa Krisak, MS (Spring 2015): The physical make-up of existing oyster beds in Long Island Sound.

Tanya Celadon, Ed.D. (May 2016): Challenging the poverty of learning through quality mathematics education: an ethnographic study of Windtree High School.

Todd Massari, MS (In Memoriam-10-22-16): Bio-erosion of corals by the boring sponge Cliona celata. 

Gabriella DiPreta, MS (May 2019): Successional state of benthic communities in temperate coral dominated habitats in Rhode Island.

Rebecca Hendreen, MS (December 2021): Creation of a gamefish occurrence dataset from public-focused informational newsletters. 

Nicole Woosley, MS (May 2022): The effects of time, depth, and orientation on the fluorescence of the symbiont Breviolum psygmophilum in Astrangia poculata. 

Sophia Kelly, MS (May 2023): Defining Arbacia punctulata algal feeding preferences in Southern New England and their potential role as ecosystem shift drivers. 

Sara Gerckens, MS (December 2023): Seasonal, morphological, and reproductive tradeoffs: Saccharina latissima attached to rock vs. turf algae at its southernmost range in Fort Wetherill, Rhode Island. 

Leah Hintz, MS (Expected May 2024): The effects of ocean acidification on temperate coral skeletal density. 

Danielle Moloney, MS (Expected May 2025): A within-site comparison of intertidal and subtidal populations of Astrangia poculata.

Kaleb Boudreaux, MS (Expected May 2025): A Comparative Examination of Dominant Canopy Forming Macroalgae in Southern New England.

Service Activities

January 2017-2021: Co-Chair, President’s Strategic Enrollment Management Planning Council (SEMP-C)

Responsible for creating an enrollment and retention program by overseeing eight separate subcommittees comprised of 42 total members.  Additionally, work with our mentor institution (California State University Channel Islands) to help SCSU reach its goal of becoming a nationally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution.

September 2015-2018, 2019-2020: Co-facilitator of the Council of Academic Chairpersons

Sets the schedule for and creates agendas for meeting discussion with all academic chairs at SCSU. Presents concerns of all chairpersons to administration and represents all chairpersons as a member of the Faculty Leadership Committee.  

May 2012-May 2017: First Vice-President SCSU-AAUP

Assume functions and responsibilities as the President may delegate, in the absence of or incapacity of the President shall act as President, and participate in the CSU-AAUP Council. Also, represents the AAUP at Union/Provost/President meetings. Each semester organizes faculty seminars on contractual issues. 

List of service activities:

Fall 2019: Biology Department representative to the SCSU Graduate Council

Spring 2015-2018, 2019: Elected Council of Academic Chairpersons Co-facilitator

Fall 2018-present: Elected CSU-AAUP Council Member

January 2017- present: Appointed Co-chair (with Dr. Terracita Sass) to Strategic Enrollment Management Plan Council.

February 2017-present: Appointed as the only faculty member on the HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution, FSS) Initiative Team with Drs. Tracy Tyree, Terricita Sass and Provost Dr. Robert Prezant.

January 2017-2019: Elected Faculty Senate Mediation Committee

Fall 2016: Appointed Search Chair for SPAR Director.

Fall 2014-2017: Elected Faculty Senate, Academic Strategic Plan Committee.

Fall 2013-2017: Elected SCSU-AAUP, first vice-president

Fall 2016: Appointed Advising Revitalization and Renewal Committee (Purple Team)

Spring 2007- 2010: Elected FDAC Faculty Development Advisory Committee

Fall 2006, 2008: Joan Finn Junior Faculty Fellowship Award Committee

Fall 2006-2015: UCF (Undergraduate Curriculum Forum) Committee, Notifications and Management Committee 2007-2013, 2015, University Wide Implementation Committee, 2014

Fall 2011-2013: Elected Faculty Senate Mediation Committee, Elected to chair this committee by committee members

Fall 2012-2013: Appointed On-line Catalog Implementation Committee

Spring 2012-2014: Dean’s Research and Creative Activity Reassigned Time Review Committee

Spring 2004-2008: Biology Club Faculty Advisor

Professional Memberships

CAAS (Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences)

NMEA (National Marine Educators Association)

SENEME (Southeastern New England Marine Educators)

AAUS (Academy for the Advancement of Underwater Sciences)

ICRS (International Coral Reef Society)

DAN (Divers Alert Network)