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Shanice Piango-Brown, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Marine Science
Eckerd College
Shanice Piango-Brown, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Marine Science
Eckerd College
Dr. Shanice Piango-Brown is a marine biologist and Assistant Professor of Marine Science at Eckerd College, where she leads the Tropical Seaweed Lab, an undergraduate-driven research group exploring the biology, biotechnology, and climate relevance of seaweeds and seagrasses. Her work focuses on the role of macroalgae as bioindicators, their interactions with microbial communities, and their potential for sustainable aquaculture, particularly in developing applications such as bioplastics, biofuels, and nutrient bioextraction.
Dr. Shanice Piango-Brown is a marine biologist and Assistant Professor of Marine Science at Eckerd College, where she leads the Tropical Seaweed Lab, an undergraduate-driven research group exploring the biology, biotechnology, and climate relevance of seaweeds and seagrasses. Her work focuses on the role of macroalgae as bioindicators, their interactions with microbial communities, and their potential for sustainable aquaculture, particularly in developing applications such as bioplastics, biofuels, and nutrient bioextraction.
Dr. Piango-Brown’s research integrates field ecology, microbiome sequencing, transcriptomics, and long-term cultivation experiments to address fundamental questions in algal biology and applied phycology. She collaborates with the University of Florida and IFAS aquaculture programs on regional initiatives aimed at building a seaweed farming industry in Florida. Her academic and professional work also bridges marine genomics with ecosystem health monitoring, using algae as a tool to detect and interpret signals of climate stress, pollution, and restoration potential in coastal systems.
Dr. Piango-Brown’s research integrates field ecology, microbiome sequencing, transcriptomics, and long-term cultivation experiments to address fundamental questions in algal biology and applied phycology. She collaborates with the University of Florida and IFAS aquaculture programs on regional initiatives aimed at building a seaweed farming industry in Florida. Her academic and professional work also bridges marine genomics with ecosystem health monitoring, using algae as a tool to detect and interpret signals of climate stress, pollution, and restoration potential in coastal systems.
Academic Background
Academic Background
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Piango-Brown’s academic journey is shaped by a deep connection to the Caribbean Sea and a passion for the environmental resilience of marine ecosystems. She earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where she conducted integrative research on the genomics, microbiomes, and long-term viability of Macrocystis pyrifera (giant kelp) in ex situ storage systems. Her dissertation, “Sex, Storage, and Symbionts: Optimizing Giant Kelp Germplasm for Aquaculture,” revealed new insights into gametophyte fertility, bacterial succession, and gene expression dynamics under various environmental conditions.
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Piango-Brown’s academic journey is shaped by a deep connection to the Caribbean Sea and a passion for the environmental resilience of marine ecosystems. She earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where she conducted integrative research on the genomics, microbiomes, and long-term viability of Macrocystis pyrifera (giant kelp) in ex situ storage systems. Her dissertation, “Sex, Storage, and Symbionts: Optimizing Giant Kelp Germplasm for Aquaculture,” revealed new insights into gametophyte fertility, bacterial succession, and gene expression dynamics under various environmental conditions.
Dr. Piango-Brown also holds an M.Sc. in Marine Biology from Ghent University, Belgium, where she studied population genetics of tropical brown algae and their roles in coral reef phase shifts. Throughout her career, she has worked across systems from temperate kelp forests to tropical macroalgal beds, uniting ecological questions with molecular approaches.
Dr. Piango-Brown also holds an M.Sc. in Marine Biology from Ghent University, Belgium, where she studied population genetics of tropical brown algae and their roles in coral reef phase shifts. Throughout her career, she has worked across systems from temperate kelp forests to tropical macroalgal beds, uniting ecological questions with molecular approaches.
Degrees
Degrees
Ph.D., Biological Sciences (Molecular Genetics & Marine Biology) – University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (USA)
Ph.D., Biological Sciences (Molecular Genetics & Marine Biology) – University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (USA)
M.Sc., Marine Biodiversity & Conservation – Ghent University (Belgium & France)
M.Sc., Marine Biodiversity & Conservation – Ghent University (Belgium & France)
- Spring school in Phycology - Tjärnö Marine Laboratory (Sweden)
- Internship in Coral Reef Biology - Oxford University (England)
B.Sc., Biology & Environmental Natural Resource Management– University of the West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago)
B.Sc., Biology & Environmental Natural Resource Management– University of the West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago)
Awards & Fellowships:
Awards & Fellowships:
Advanced Opportunity Fellowship (UWM) '23, '24, '25
Advanced Opportunity Fellowship (UWM) '23, '24, '25
Diane Cutia Teaching Fellowship Award (UWM) '23
Diane Cutia Teaching Fellowship Award (UWM) '23
Ruth I. Walker Memorial Scholarship or Award (UWM) '23
Ruth I. Walker Memorial Scholarship or Award (UWM) '23
Phycological Society of America (PSA) Grants in Aid of Research '22
Phycological Society of America (PSA) Grants in Aid of Research '22
Peter J Salamun Scholarship (UWM) '20, '21
Peter J Salamun Scholarship (UWM) '20, '21
Clifford Mortimer Award (UWM) '19, '20, '21
Clifford Mortimer Award (UWM) '19, '20, '21
Erasmus Mobility Scholarship, UGent & Sorbonne University, '17, '18
Erasmus Mobility Scholarship, UGent & Sorbonne University, '17, '18
Professional Memberships:
Professional Memberships:
Phycological Society of America '23
Phycological Society of America '23
Western Society of Naturalists '24
Western Society of Naturalists '24
Dr. Piango-Brown's research has been featured in university seminars, public marine science panels, and outreach events promoting seaweed-based innovation and coastal resilience. She is an advocate for citizen science and community-engaged research, and plans to launch a student-driven coastal algae monitoring program in collaboration with local partners in Florida.
Dr. Piango-Brown's research has been featured in university seminars, public marine science panels, and outreach events promoting seaweed-based innovation and coastal resilience. She is an advocate for citizen science and community-engaged research, and plans to launch a student-driven coastal algae monitoring program in collaboration with local partners in Florida.
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