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Jennifer Dickson
Brown
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: UNCW
Undergraduate Major: Environmental Science
and a minor in Chemistry
Graduate Advisor: Dr. G. Brooks Avery
Committee Members: Drs. Robert Kieber, Ralph Mead and Jennifer Culbertson
Thesis: Optical Properties of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Carbon as a Tracer of Terrestrial Carbon to the Coastal Ocean (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: To
become an efficient research scientist
and to learn as much as possible
Currently: Worked as an environmental educator at the natural science museum in Durham for one summer, then enrolled in the Ph.D. program in the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Science at NCSU, working in marine geochemistry. Her goal is to teach at a university one day.
Honors: 2008 recipient of the CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant
Award. Recipient of the 2008 CMS Summer
Research
Award. |
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Amber Morris
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: UNCW
Undergraduate Major: Marine Biology
Graduate Advisors: Dr. Fred Scharf and Dr.
Mark Imperial
Committee Members: Drs. Stuart Borrett and Mark Helvey (National Marine Fisheries Service)
Thesis: Space and Place in Fisheries: Investigating Catch Controls in View of Marine Protected Areas and Spatial Stock Structure (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: To encourage society's understanding and
enjoyment of the oceans while keeping fish and
fisherpeople in and on the water and omega-3 on
our plates
Currently: Working at the SW Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service in Long Beach, CA as a Fishery Policy Analyst.
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Ebenezer Nyadjro
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: University of
Ghana
Undergraduate Major: Oceanography and
Fisheries
Graduate Advisor: Dr. John M. Morrison
Committee Members: Drs. Frederick M. Bingham and Daniel Kamykowski (NCSU)
Thesis: Spatial and temporal dynamics of benthic chlorophyll formation on the northwest Florida continental shelf (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: To be a physical
oceanographer, teach and conduct research in an academic institution.
Currently: Enrolled in the Marine Science Ph.D. program at University of South Carolina
Honors: First graduate recipient of Gillings Fellowship in Spring 2009 for a three month research at the National Oceanography Center, University of Southampton, UK. Recipient of Ralph W. Brauer
Fellowship from the UNCW Graduate School, to
cover travel expenses to
California to participate in a research and
training cruise on the SEA Education Association
(SEA) sailing research vessel SSV Robert C.
Seamans in the summer of 2008. Recipient of the 2008 CMS
Summer Research Award. |
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Kassy Rodriguez
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: Florida Atlantic
University
Undergraduate Major: Geology
Graduate Advisor: Drs.Lewis Abrams and Nancy Grindlay
Committee Members: Dr. Martin Posey and
Mr. Troy Alphin
Thesis: Mapping oyster reefs using sidescan sonar and
seismic sub-bottom profiling, Cape Fear River,
southeastern North Carolina (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: To continue my
education to the doctoral level and teach and
perform research in a university.
Currently: Working at ExxonMobil as a Computing Geoscientist, Houston, TX |
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MMS Graduates
May 2009 |
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Jennifer Bagwell
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: UNCW
Undergraduate Major: Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor:
Dr. B.K. Song
Committee Members:
Drs. Craig Tobias, Susanna L�pez-Legentil and
Alison Taylor
Thesis:
Transcriptional Regulation of Nitrogen Uptake
and Assimilation in Marine Diatoms;
Thalassiosira pseudonana and Thalassiosira
weissflogii (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: To obtain a graduate degree that will ultimately
allow me to pursuea career in biotechnology
Currently:Lab Manager at the Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC, and research technician in a zebrafish genetics and development laboratory
Honors:
Graduate summer stipend recipient 2008 |
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Sarah Katharine Braly
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: UNCW
Undergraduate Major: Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr.
Paul Hosier
Committee Members: Drs. Ann Stapleton and Dargon
Frierson
Thesis:
Environmental
Variables Influencing Sexual Reproduction of Sea
Oats, Uniola paniculata (Poaceae) Across a
Natural Dune Field on Bear Island, North
Carolina (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program:
Coastal
management/biological planning of developments
Currently: Environmental consultant at CZR (Coastal Zone Resources), Wilmington.
Honors: 2008 recipient of the
CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant
Award |
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Kim Duernberger
Email:
Undergraduate Institution:
College of Charleston
Undergraduate Major: Biology, minor in Environmental Studies
Graduate Advisors:
Drs. Michael Mallin & Craig Tobias
Committee Members:
Dr. Larry Cahoon
Thesis:
Tracing
Nitrogen Transformations through the Food Chain in an Urbanized Tidal Creek (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program:
Save the planet. Yes, I have high ambitions.
Currently: Research scientist working with Drs. BK Song and Craig Tobias at UNCW in collaboration with UCONN - Avery Point. Subject areas include biochemistry and molecular biology exploring the nutrient dynamics within estuaries as well as geochemistry interactions in streams and rivers. Kim has interests in conservation science and sustainable development.
Honors: Recipient of the
2007 CMS Summer
Research
Award |
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Amanda Williams
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: James Madison
University
Undergraduate Major: Geographic Sciences
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Joanne Halls
Committee Members: Drs. Craig
Tobias and Chris Dumas
Thesis:
Mapping Land use Change as an Indicator for
Live Coral Cover at Boracay Island,
Philippines (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program:
Earn a PhD in GIS and marine sciences. Also,
tocontribute to the ocean sciences through
research at the global scale,provide survey
data to local resource managers and assist in
marine science education
Currently:
Marine Science GIS Analyst at the Khaled bin
Sultan Living Oceans Foundation in Landover,
MD. Tasks include graphic and web design, short
film editing,coral reef transect analysis and
Geographic Information System mapping
Honors:2007
recipient of the Jordan Lyle Viders Memorial
Award, Women Divers Hall of Fame. This award
provides $5000 for field work expenses, and the
recipient is recognized at the Academy of
Underwater Arts and Sciences/NOGI awardsdinner,
Orlando, Florida, November 1, 2007. Recipient of the G. Herbert
Stout Student Speaker Award at the NC GIS
Conference in March 2007 |
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Josephine Yavari
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: UNCW
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Joan Willey
Committee Members: Drs. Stephen Skrabal and Bongkeun Song
Thesis:
Temporal
Variability of Iron Speciation in Rainwater and
its Impact on the Biogeochemical Cycling of Iron
in Seawater (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: To attend
medical school
Currently:
Enrolled in the Chemistry and Biochemistry PhD program at George Mason University andalso working at the Alexandria Sanitation Authority
Honors:
Recipient of the 2007 CMS Summer
Research
Award |
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MMS Graduates
December 2008 |
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Tara
Casazza
E-mail:
Undergraduate institution:
UNCW
Undergraduate Major: Marine
Biology
Advisors: Drs. Steven
Ross, Thomas Lankford and Joan Willey
Thesis: Community
Structure and Diets of Fishes Associated with Pelagic Sargassum and Open-Water
Habitats off North Carolina (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: Continue to work in fisheries. I want to make a difference when it comes to our
oceans.
Currently: Coastal and deep-sea fisheries research associate, CMS |
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Taylor Graham
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: University of Miami
Undergraduate Major: Marine
Science/Chemistry
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Craig
Tobias
Committee Members: Drs. Steven Skrabal and Bongkeun Song
Thesis: Nitrate Recycling versus Removal in the Cape Fear
River Estuary (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: Get a decent
job after graduation
Currently: Working for Thermo
Fisher Scientific as a Noble Gas and IRMS Field Service Engineer
Honors: Most days at sea to date, 143 days at sea, 6 cruises
from 2002-2006.
Recipient of the
2008 CMS Summer
Research
Award. |
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Danelle Lekan
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: UNCW
Undergraduate Major: B.S. Marine
Biology, minor in chemistry
Graduatte Advisor: Dr. Carmelo
Tomas
Committee Members: Drs.
Daniel Baden and Susan Simmons (Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics)
Thesis: Influence of temperature, salinity and nutrients
on growth and toxin profiles of Karenia brevis clones (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: Earn my Ph.D., teach and research in a field
where I have the opportunity to be outside
Currently: Earning her PhD in Marine Biology at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. Her PhD research focuses on the design, monitoring and assessment of New Zealand marine protected areas.
Honors: 2007 recipient of CMS Scholastic Achievement Award |
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Sarah Manley
Email:
or
Undergraduate Institution: Westfield
State College (MA)
Undergraduate Major: B.S. General
Science, Minor in Chemistry, Concentration in Education (grades 5-8)
Advisor: Dr. Joan
Willey
Committee Members: Drs. Carrie Miller, Robert Kieber and Michael
Mallin
Thesis: Influence of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) on
Mercury Speciation and Reactivity in Rainwater (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: Research mercury chemistry in rainwater
Currently: Working in Northborough, MA, doing environmental chemistry research and quality control work for the company SolmeteX/Layne Christensen, a company with expertise in the geosciences and a developer of specialized chemistries and processes for the cost-effective removal of regulated toxins from both drinking water and wastewater.
Honors: 2006 recipient of
CMS Scholastic Achievement Award |
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Mary Rena Spivey
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: NCSU
Undergraduate Major: Biological
sciences
Advisor: Dr. Michael
Mallin
Committee Members: Drs. Bongkeun Song and Parke Rublee
(Department of Biology, UNCG)
Thesis: The use of
PCR and T-RFLP as a Means of Identifying Sources of Fecal Bacteria
Pollution in the Tidal Creeks of New Hanover County, North Carolina (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program:undecided
Currently: Research Technician in the CMS Aquatic Ecology Laboratory
Honors:
Recipient of the
2007 CMS Summer
Research
Award. |
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Katherine Sullivan
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: Wake Forest
University
Undergraduate Major: Biology
Advisor: Dr. Wade
Watanabe
Committee Members: Drs. Frederick Scharf and Pamela Seaton
Thesis: Replacement of Fish Meal by Alternative Protein
Sources in Diets for Juvenile Black Sea Bass (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: Uncertain at this time, but I am interested in
work in aquaculture, environmental consulting and environmental
education.
Currently: Taking care of two small sons, and also working as a high school science and math tutor
Honors: 2007 recipient of CMS Scholastic Achievement Award |
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Laura Truxal
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: Texas A&M University
Undergraduate Major: Marine Science
Advisor: Dr. Daniel
Baden
Committee Members: Drs.
Andrea Bourdelais, Pamela Seaton and Sridhar Varadarajan
Thesis: Characterization of Novel
Compounds Isolated from Karenia brevis Cultures (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program:To
continue doing research for a university or oceanographic institution
Currently: Research Technician in geochemistry, School
of Oceanography, University of Washington
Honors: 2007 recipient of CMS Scholastic Achievement Award |
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James Wilde
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: NC State
University
Undergraduate Major: B.S.
Microbiology
Advisors: Drs. Wade
Watanabe and Chris Dumas
Committee Members: Drs. Christopher Dumas (Dept. of Economics &
Finance) and Thomas Losordo (Department of Biological and Agricultural
Engineering, NCSU) (pdf)
Thesis: Analysis of a niche market for farm-raised black
sea bass, Centropristis striata, in North Carolina
Plans upon entry into program: Private
mariculture industry, maximizing profits and eco-friendly techniques
Currently: Conducting marketing research for farm-raised
black sea bass in several large US metropolitan areas. In August
2009 entered a Ph.D. program in international marketing of farm
raised organic seafood, University of Plymouth, England |
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MMS Graduates
May 2008 |
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Meghan Chafee
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: College of Charleston
Undergraduate Major: Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. J. Craig
Bailey
Committee Members: Drs.
Lawrence Cahoon, Lynn Leonard and Bongkeun Song
Thesis: A Genetic
Marker for Coastal Diatoms Based on psbA (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: I hope to
pursue a career in conservation genetics or evolution and perhaps someday
obtain a PhD
Currently: First a research technician at Vanderbilt Univ. in TN, currently a research technician at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Honors:
Recipient of the
2007 CMS Summer
Research
Award.
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Ned DuRant
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: UNCW
Undergraduate Major: B.S.
Environmental Science
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Michael
Mallin
Committee Members: Drs.
Larry Cahoon and John Morrison
Thesis: The Cape Fear River Plume
as a Zone of Enhanced Secondary Production (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: I plan to earn
a Ph.D., teach and do research at a university, travel all seven continents
with my wife and son, and continue to rock out!
Currently: Employed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources |
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Barbara Jacobson Smith
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Pembroke
Undergraduate Major: B.S. Biology
& Chemistry
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Richard
Satterlie
Committee Members: Drs.
Richard Dillaman, Julian Keith and Stephen Kinsey
Thesis: A comparison of the
muscular organization of the rhopalial stalk in Cubomedusae (Cnidaria) (pdf)
Plans upon entry into program: Obtain a Ph.D.
in marine science/biology. Work at an academic institution and/or
marine science laboratory.
Currently:
a Research Technician Supervisor at the Johns Hopkins Universityin
Baltimore, MD
Honors: 2006 recipient of the
CMS Scholastic Achievement Award
and 2007 recipient of the CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching
Assistant Award and recipient of the
2007 CMS Summer
Research
Award. |
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MMS Graduates
December 2007 |
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Chris
Canaday
E-mail:
Undergraduate institution:
North Carolina State University
Undergraduate Major: Mechanical
Engineering
Graduate Advisor: Dr.
Fred Bingham
Committee Members:
Drs. Harvey Seim (UNCCH) and Russ Herman
Thesis: Barotropic
M2
Tidal Analysis of Onslow Bay
Plans upon entry into
program: Scientific position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or
pursue a Ph.D.
Currently: Working as
a civil engineer at Tripp Engineering in Wilmington, NC |
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Renee Harrington
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: Southampton College of Long Island University,
NY
Undergraduate Degree: Environmental
Science Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Larry
Cahoon
Committee Members: Dr. Michael Mallin and Dr. Eric
Henry
Thesis Title: Investigation of microbial contamination of
sediment and water at boat ramps
Plans upon entry into
program: Conduct water quality research; work in the Environmental/Natural Resources
field
Currently: Environmental
Analyst/Consultant for TEC, Inc., Santa Barbara, California
|
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Jaclyn Pitt
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: UNCW
Undergraduate Major: Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Robert Kieber
Committee
Members: Drs.
Jeffrey Wright, Stephen Skrabal and Thomas Schuster
Thesis title: Photochemistry of Brevetoxin
Produced by the Dinoflagellate Karenia Brevis
Plans upon entry into
program: To pursue a career managing coastal water quality
Currently: Working as an environmental lab
technician at ElementOne Laboratories, Wilmington, NC
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Rob Reger
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: West Virginia
University
Undergraduate Major:
Animal/Veterinary Science and Spanish
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Carm Tomas
Committee Members: Dr. Richard
Laws and Dr. Richard Dillaman
Thesis title: Biology and Seasonal Distribution of Hermesinum adriaticum in the New River of North Carolina (pdf)
Plans upon entry into
program:marine related Ph.D.
Currently: Rob Reger is a Research Fellow at
the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD |
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Gwen Shaughnessy
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: California
State U Long Beach
Undergraduate Major: Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. G. Brooks
Avery / Dr. Stephen Skrabal
Committee Member: Dr. Courtney Hackney
Thesis title: Surface and small-scale
processes of biogeochemical cycling of organic matter in tidal marsh
sediments
Plans upon entry into
program: Teach about habitat conservation and restoration
Currently: Working for the state of Maryland
Department of Natural Resources as a Coastal Hazards Planner.
Honors: 2005 recipient of
CMS Scholastic Achievement Award;
2006 recipient of CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching
Assistant Award |
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MMS
Graduates
Summer 2007 |
|
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Holly Oates
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: Meredith College
Undergraduate Major: B.S. Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. B.K. Song
Committee Members: Drs. Robert Kieber and Joan Willey
Thesis title: Molecular Determination of Arsenate
Respiring Bacteria in Estuarine Sediments and Groundwater Aquifers
Plans upon entry into program: Obtain a
Ph.D. and work at a university teaching and doing research.
Currently:
Hollyhas accepted
a position as lab manager with Dr. Jeff Miller, Chair ofthe Dept of
Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at UCLA and president of
the American Society for Microbiology |
MMS
Graduates
May 2007 |
 |
Sara Althof
Email:
Undergraduate Institution:
UNC-Charlotte
Undergraduate Major: B.S. in
Biology with a concentration in the Environment
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Lynn
Leonard
Committee Members: Dr. Mike
Benedetti and Dr. Courtney Hackney
Thesis title: Effects of
Spartina alterniflora on flow hydrodynamics in a tidal marsh: An experiment
in biophysical interactions
Plans upon entry into
program: Environmental Consulting as long as I am by the coast.
Currently: Employed
at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher as a special activities instructor.
Honors: 2006 recipient of
the CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching
Assistant Award |
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Michelle Ortwine
Email:
Undergraduate Institution: UNCW
Undergraduate Major: B.S.-Biology,
Chemistry minor
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Larry
Cahoon
Committee Members: Dr. Mike Mallin and Dr. Eric Henry
Thesis Title: The impacts of
rainfall runoff on tidal creek algal and bacterial production
Plans upon entry into
program: Water quality research, teach or pursue Ph.D.
Currently:Working as Health and Environmental Modeler/Environmental Scientist 2 for RTI International, starting Aug 3, 2009
Honors: Won an award for best student poster at
the annual NC Water Resources Research Institute meeting held April 4-5,
2006 in Raleigh, NC. |
MMS Graduates
December 2006
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Joe Carrier
Undergraduate Institution: University of
North Carolina Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Wade
Watanabe
Committee Members: Drs. Robert Roer and Pamela Seaton
Thesis Title: Growth,
survival and resistance to hypersaline stress in larval black sea bass
(Centropristis striata) fed varying levels of dietary arachidonic acid
(20:4n-6)
Plans upon entry into
program: Teach
Currently: Teaching at Tidewater
Community College in Virginia and doing collaborative research on aquaculture with Virginia Tech
and Virginia Cobia Farms in Hampton Roads, VA.
Contact Information:
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Amanda Krzysiak OHH
Undergraduate Institution: University of Miami
Undergraduate Degree: BS-Chemistry
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Wright
Committee Members: Drs. Daniel Baden and
Joan Willey
Thesis Title: The Isolation
and Characterization of Natural Products from Marine Plants and
Microorganisms
Goal upon entry into program: Uncertain
at present time, but will most likely pursue further graduate work.
Currently: Received a PhD in
Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology from Purdue University in
2008
Contact Information:
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Amanda
Myers
Undergraduate Institution:
UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: BS, Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr.
Ami Wilbur
Committee Members: Drs.
Wade Watanabe and Joan Willey
Thesis Title: Recirculating
Aquaculture System Integration of Bivalve Culture for Effluent Nutrient
Composition Reduction
Plans upon entry into
program: Find environmentally friendly and economic ways to improve
aquaculture systems.
Currently: Working as a Research
Technician at the UNCW Center for Marine Science, conducting experimental
research in the areas of controlled breeding, larviculture, growout,
effluent management, and economic and marketing of high value marine
finfish and shellfish species for commercial cultivation.
Contact Information:
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Stephen
Truesdale
Undergraduate Institution: North
Carolina State University
Undergraduate Degree: BS, Zoology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Wade
Watanabe
Committee Members: Drs. Ami
Wilbur, Carmelo Tomas and Thomas M. Losordo (NCSU)
Thesis Title: Waste Characterization
and Management of Effluent from Intensive Marine Finfish Recirculating
Systems.
Plans upon entry into program: Private
aquaculture venture working with black sea bass, and commercial fishing.
Currently: Operating a lab in
Wilmington manufacturing prosthetic and orthotic devices for the
handicapped. Also testing new components for the filtration process for
flounder culture for the first commercial flounder production facility in
NC, and conducting research on the production of biofuel from microalgae
with NC Biotech.
Contact Information:
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MMS
Graduates
Summer 2006 |
|
 |
Stephen Gill
Undergraduate Institution: University of
Wales Swansea
Undergraduate Degree: BSc Hons
Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Patricia
Kelley
Committee Members: Dr.
Carmelo Tomas and Dr. Lawrence Cahoon
Thesis Title: Phosphorus
liberation by aquatic microorganisms
Plans upon entry into
program: Consultancy, bringing academia to industry...and get rich.
Currently:
Environmental Consultant, AMEC Earth and Environmental, London,
England
Contact Information:
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MMS
Graduates
May 2006 |
|
 |
Christopher Stewart
Undergraduate institution: Eastern Carolina University<
Undergraduate degree: BS
� Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr.
Fred Scharf
Committee Members: John
Schoolfield (NC Division of Marine Fisheries), Drs. Edward Boone and Thomas
Lankford
Thesis Title: Spatial and Temporal Variability in Recruitment
Timing, Relative Abundance and Mortality of Juvenile Red Drum (Sciaenops
ocellatus) in Southeastern North Carolina
Plans upon entry into
program: Work with a state or federal agency in eastern North Carolina,
preferably in the Morehead City area.
Currently: Working
part-time with Progress Energy as a Biologist and also part- time with Dial
Cordy and Associates here in Wilmington (Environmental consultants). Maybe
I'll take a surfing trip back to Costa Rica before I have to get a full
time job!
Contact information: |
 |
Brooke Stuercke
Undergraduate Institution: U of Hawaii -
Hilo
Undergraduate Major: Marine Science
Graduate Advisor: Dr. D. Wilson
Freshwater
Committee Members: Drs. Craig
Bailey, Gregory Chandler, William Cooper and Donald Kapraun
Thesis Title: An Integrated Taxonomic Assessment of North Carolina Polysiphonia
species
Plans upon entry into
program: Teaching or working with a conservation agency
Currently: Research Technician II, Laboratory Culture Specialist,
CMS, UNCW
Honors: Shortest time to degree - 22 months; 2006 recipient of
CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching
Assistant Award
Contact information:
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Byron
Toothman
Undergraduate institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: BS � Marine Biology/Environmental Science
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon
Committee Members: Drs. Michael Mallin and Joan Willey
Thesis Title: Phosphorus
and Carbohydrate Limitation of Sediment-Bound Indicator Microbes in Bradley
Creek
Plans upon entry into program: To teach and conduct my own research at
a university where there is no winter.
Currently: Byron
Toothman is a research biologist, NC National Estuarine Research Reserve,
NC Coastal Reserve
Honors: National Science Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellow in the
K-12 Education Program at UNCW and recipient
of a 2005
CMS Outstanding
Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
Contact information:
910-962-2334 |
 |
Leigh
Zimmermann
Undergraduate institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: BS
� Environmental Studies
Graduate Advisor: Dr.
Carm Tomas
Committee Members: Drs.
Ronald Sizemore and Jeffrey Wright
Thesis Title: Environmental
Regulation of Toxin Production: Comparison of Hemolytic Activity of Amphidinium
carterae and Amphidinium klebsii
Plans upon entry into
program: Work for a management agency of a coastal state within their
harmful algal bloom program.
Currently: Program
Coordinator, National Oceanographic Partnership Program, Consortium for
Ocean Leadership
Honor: 2006 Dean John
Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Executive Fellow, National Sea Grant
Contact information: |
MMS
Graduates
December 2005 |
|
 |
Jennifer
Peterson Brousseau
Undergraduate institution:
University of Tennessee & UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: BS-Botany (UT), BS-Marine Biology (UNC-W)
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Carm Tomas
Committee Members: Drs. Jack Manock and Martin Posey
Thesis Title: Growth
by Natural Phytoplankton Populations of Wilson Bay: A Nutrient Bioassay
Approach
Plans upon entry into program: Working with an independent
environmental consultant or teaching young children about the importance of
marine environments.
Currently: Freelance writing and taking care of her small children
Contact Information: |
 |
Erin Carey
Undergraduate institution: UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: BS � Environmental Science
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon
Committee Members: Drs. Lynn Leonard and Michael Mallin
Thesis Title: The
Effects of Beach Renourishment on Benthic Microalgae
Plans upon entry into program: Completing my Ph.D. and establishing
myself somewhere where the water is warm, the surf is clean, and I never
have to look at another sport utility vehicle again.
Currently: Environmental
Technician managing the lab where fecal bacteria analyses of beach water
and shellfishing waters are conducted, NC Division of Shellfish Sanitation,
Wilmington
Contact Information: |
 |
J.
Brooke Landry
Undergraduate institution: University
of Virginia
Undergraduate degree: BA
� Environmental Science
Graduate Advisor: Dr.
Michael Durako
Committee Members: Drs.
Joanne Halls and Steven Miller
Thesis Title: Changes
in the Density and Distribution of Florida Bay Macrophytes
Plans upon entry into
program: Plan on going straight into Ph.D. work in landscape
ecology field.
Currently: Environmental Careers Organization Intern, NOAA National
Ocean Service Program and Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research
in Beaufort, NC.
Honors: National
Science Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellow in the K-12 Education Program
at UNCW and recipient of a
2005
CMS Outstanding
Graduate Teaching Assistant Award. Recipient of 2006 Conference
of Southern Graduate ETD Thesis Award. This includes a cash award of
$500 plus travel expenses to attend the 2007 CSGS meeting in Chattanooga,
TN where the award will be presented on February, 25, 2007.
Contact information: & |
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Nichole
Parler
Undergraduate institution:
UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: BS
� Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Drs.
Joan Willey
Committee Member: Drs.
Robert Kieber and Robert Whitehead
Thesis Title: Mercury
Concentration and Speciation in Wilmington Coastal Rainwater
Plans upon entry into
program: Work for a pharmaceutical company.
Currently:
Chemical Technician, Lab Corp, Raleigh
Contact Information: |
 |
Kelly
Taylor
Undergraduate institution: Wilmington College, OH
Undergraduate degree: BS
� Chemistry
Graduate Advisor: Dr.
Brookes Avery
Committee Members: Drs.
Robert Kieber and Robert Whitehead
Thesis Title: Beach
Sediments: A Source of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Species to the
Coastal Ocean
Plans upon entry into
program: Environmental work.
Currently: Clinical Data Associate, PPD, Wilmington
Contact Information:
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Heather
Young
Undergraduate institution: Coastal Carolina University, SC
Undergraduate degree: BS � Marine
Science
Graduate Advisor: Dr. William Cooper
Committee Members: Drs. Larry Cahoon
and Carm Tomas
Thesis Title: Effects of Ozonation
of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM); Implications for Ballast
Water Treatment Protocol
Plans upon entry into program: Get a
job with good benefits.
Currently: working as a research
assistant surveying lobsters with the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation in Long Island, NY
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MMS
Graduates
May 2005
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Leslie
Bradshaw
Undergraduate institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: BS-Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Stephen Skrabal
Committee members: Drs. Larry Cahoon, Bob Kieber and Joan Willey
Thesis Title: Sources and Sinks of Nitrogen in the Cape Fear River
Estuary, Southeastern North Carolina
Plans upon entry into program: I will probably/hopefully go on to
get my PhD? It seems like a good idea anyway. And definitely - lots of
world travel in the picture (all in the name of science of course!)
Currently: Chemical technician, Sweeney Drinking Water Plant,
Wilmington
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Courtney
Hanby
Undergraduate institution: Louisiana
State University
Undergraduate degree: BS
� Zoology
Graduate Advisors: Drs.
Joanne Halls and Laela Sayigh
Committee Member: Dr.
Ann Pabst
Thesis title: Use of a
Geographic Information System (GIS) to Examine Bottlenose Dolphin Community
Structure in Southeastern North Carolina
Plans upon entry into
program: Pursuing a Ph.D., but right now just concentrating on getting
through the Master�s program!
Currently: Educator, New Orleans Aquarium
Honors: National
Science Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellow in the K-12 Education Program
at UNCW
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Jenny
Johnson
Undergraduate institution: UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: BS-Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Michael Mallin
Committee Members: Drs. Larry Cahoon, Paul Hosier and Rob Whitehead
Thesis title: Primary
Productivity by Phytoplankton: Temporal, Spatial and Tidal Variability in
Two North Carolina Tidal Creeks
Plans upon entry into program: Water quality research and world
travel.
Currently: Environmental Science
Consultant, Land Management Group, Wilmington, NC
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Audra Luscher
Undergraduate
institution: California State University at Long Beach
Undergraduate degree: BS - Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Courtney Hackney
Committee Members: Drs. Larry Cahoon and Joan Willey
Thesis Title: Benthic
Diatoms as a Control in the Silicate Cycling in the Cape Fear Estuary.
Plans upon entry into program: Would like to continue to work in
marine policy and management and eventually would like to work in wetland
restoration.
Currently: Shore Erosion Planner, Maryland Department of Natural
Resources
Honors: Sea Grant Fellowship in Raleigh, NC.
Contact
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Lisa Thatcher
Undergraduate
institution: North Carolina State University
Undergraduate
degree: BS-Biological Engineering
Graduate Advisor: Dr.
Brooks Avery
Committee Members: Drs. Courtney Hackney and Lynn Leonard
Thesis title: Carbon
Remineralization and Storage in Estuarine Wetland Sediments
Plans upon entry into program: Graduate school or working
with an environmental consulting company
Currently: Staff
engineer, MACTEC Engineering and Consulting Company, Wilmington, NC
Contact
information: |
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Christopher
Thornburg
Undergraduate institution:
College of Charleston
Undergraduate degree: BS
� Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr.
Ron Sizemore
Committee Members: Drs.
Carmelo Tomas and Jeffrey Wright
Thesis title: Increased
Survival of Vibrios Associated with Algal Blooms of Gyrodinium instriatum
Plans upon entry into
program: Complete M.S. degree in order to finally land a job in the
actual field of marine science/biology.
Currently: Contracting
Senior Research Microbiologist, Air Force Research Lab, Aberdeen Proving
Ground, MD
Honors: 2005 recipient
of CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching
Assistant Award
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MMS Graduates
December 2004 |
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Michael Murphy
Undergraduate institution: UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: BS � Geology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Lewis Abrams
Committee Members: Drs. Nancy Grindlay and Fred Bingham
Thesis Title: Geophysical Investigation of the Tectonic and Volcanic
History of the Nauru Basin, Western Pacific
Plans upon entry into program: Get a job as a geologist
Currently: Working as a Marine Laboratory Specialist in the
Physical Properties Laboratory aboard the research drilling ship RV
JOIDES Resolution. JOIDES stands for Joint Oceanographic
Institutions for Deep Earth Sampling.
Honors: Most
days at sea of any student to date! R/V Thomas Thompson: 48 day Guam
to Guam cruise investigating seafloor magnetics in the Jurassic Quiet Zone
of the Western Pacific.R/V Kilo Moana: 37 day Suva, Fiji,
cruise to look at hydrothermal plume activity/chemistry along the East Lau
Spreading Center, Southwest Pacific Ocean.
Contact information:
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Joshua J. Slater
Undergraduate institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: B.S. Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Tom Lankford
Committee Members: Drs. Jeffrey A. Buckel
(NCSU) and Stephen Kinsey
Thesis Title:Winter Energetics of
Young-of-the-Year Bluefish (Pamatomus saltatrix):Effects of Ration and Cohort of Origin on Survival
Plans upon entry into program: One
day at a time...
Currently: Commissioned Officer, NOAA Corps, Emergency Response Division (ERD), NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration. He recently served as NOAA’s incident operations coordinator for the BP oil spill crisis, where he managed ERD’s Seattle “war room”, coordinating information between scientists and staff in the field. He is now deployed to Louisiana to help conduct overflights of the oil spill area.
Honors: Carolina Beach Fishing Club Scholarship
Contact information:
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Ben Speckhart
Undergraduate
institution: Longwood College, VA
Undergraduate degree: BS � Physics, math minor
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Fred Bingham
Committee Members: Drs. Len Pietrafesa (NCSU) and Russell Herman
Thesis Title: Observational Analysis of Shallow Water Response to
Passing Hurricanes in Onslow Bay, NC in 1999
Plans upon entry into program: Get a scientific position to gain
experience working on ships
Currently: Marine
Research Technician, Coastal Ocean Research and Monitoring Program, UNCW
Honors:
First
Graduate Teaching Assistant to work in the Department of Physics and
Physical Oceanography at UNCW 2002-2004.
Contact
information: |
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Joseph Kevin Yates
Undergraduate institution: North
Carolina State University
Undergraduate degree: BS- Natural Resources
Graduate Co-Advisors: Drs. Christopher Dumas and Wade Watanabe
Committee Member: Dr. Thomas M. Losordo (NCSU)
Thesis Title: Production Economics
of Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) Aquaculture in a
Recirculating System
Plans upon entry into program: Work for the Army Corp of Engineers
and hold an interest in the burgeoning Mariculture Industry.
Currently: Working as a Regulatory Specialist, US Corps of Engineers,
doing wetlands delineation and permitting.
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MMS
Graduates
Summer 2004
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Heather Harwell
Undergraduate institution: UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: BS � Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Martin Posey
Committee Members: Drs. Lynn Leonard and Scott Quackenbush, and Mr. Troy Alphin
Thesis Title: Landscape Aspects of Oyster Reefs: Fragmentation and Habitat
Utilization
Plans
upon entry into program: To
enter a Ph.D. program
Currently: Enrolled in Benthic Ecology Ph.D. program, Virginia
Institute of Marine Science
Contact Information: |
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Alisha
Renfro
Undergraduate institution: Coastal Carolina University, SC
Undergraduate degree: BS-Marine Science
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Lynn Leonard
Committee Members: Drs. Mike Mallin, Courtney Hackney and Michael
Benedetti
Thesis Title: Sediment Deposition and Accumulation in a Brown and
Black-Water River System
Plans upon entry into program: work with a state regulatory agency to develop regulations
for coastal planning, and raise public awareness of the need for coastal
planning
Currently: Enrolled
in a Marine Science Ph.D. program at State University of New York, Stony
Brook
Contact information: |
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Allison
White
Undergraduate institution: College of Charleston, SC
Undergraduate degree: BS - Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Wade Watanabe
Committee Members: Drs. Pam Seaton and Tom Lankford
Thesis
Title: Optimizing Dose and Mode of Administration of Luteinizing
Hormone Releasing Hormone Analog for Induced Spawning of Black Sea Bass,
Centropristis striata
Plans upon entry into program: Graduate school.
Currently:
Employed as a Biological Technician at the South Carolina Department of
Natural Resources.
Honors:
Glaxo-Wellcome Oceans and Human Health Scholar
Contact
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MMS Graduates
May 2004 |
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Robert
Golembeski
Undergraduate institution: East Stroudsburg University, PA
Undergraduate degree: BS - Biology and BA - Education
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Daniel Baden
Committee Members: Drs. Eric Henry and Alina Szmant
Thesis Title: Investigation of Alternative Methods of
Irrigation/Fertilization to Minimize Pollution of Ground Water in the
Central Valley of Chile
Goals upon entry into program: Returning to teaching high school
science
Currently: Working as a Fertigation Engineer producing and exporting fresh
cherries in Chile.
Honors: Awarded
a Fulbright-Hayes Department of Education Fellowship, Glaxo-Wellcome
Oceans and Human Health Scholar
Contact information: |
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Matthew
Head
Undergraduate institution: UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte
Undergraduate degree: BS-Earth Science/Environmental Information
Systems, minor in Geography with a concentration in remote sensing, air
quality, GIS, and planning.
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Nancy Grindlay
Committee Members: Drs. Lynn Leonard and Martin Posey
Thesis Title: Mapping and Monitoring Hardbottom Areas and
Corresponding Change Associated with Storm Forcing at 23-Mile Reef, Onslow
Bay, NC
Goals upon entry into program: Graduation and then retirement with
maybe a little work in between.
Currently:
Working as a defense contractor for PVA, Inc. in Special Projects.
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MMS Graduates
December 2003 |
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Michael S. Long
Undergraduate
institution: North Carolina State University
Undergraduate degree: BS-Meteorology and Environmental Science
Advisor: Drs. Joan Willey and Robert Keiber
Committe Members: Dr. Douglas Gamble
Thesis Title: Atmospheric Deposition of NH4+ and
Other N Species in Southeastern North Carolina and Its Impact on the Cape
Fear River Estuary
Goals upon entry into program: PhD with thesis research in Italy.
Currently: Enrolled in Ph.D. program in Atmospheric Chemistry,
University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
Honors: Glaxo-Wellcome Oceans and Human Health Scholar
Contact Information: |
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Socratis Loucaides
Undergraduate
institution: UNC-Asheville
Undergraduate degree: BS-Environmental Science
Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon
Committee Members: Drs. Eric Henry, Lynn Leonard and Joan Willey
Thesis Title: Human Impact on the Silica Cycle: Reduction of
Dissolved Silica inputs into the Ocean as a Result of the Increasing
Impervious Cover
Goals upon entry into program: Possibly pursuing a doctorate in the
field of oceanography and/or research in the Mediterranean.
Currently: Research scientist studying sediment geochemistry at the
Marine Environment Laboratory in Monaco, then entry into the Earth Sciences
Ph.D. program at the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands
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MMS Graduates
Summer 2003 |
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Susie Holst
Undergraduate institution: James Cook
University of Northern Queensland, Australia
Undergraduate degree: BS-Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Tom Lankford
Committee Members: Drs. Pamela Seaton, Wade Watanabe, and Eric
Schultz, University of Connecticut
Thesis Title: Evaluation of the Capacity for Compensatory Growth in
Juvenile Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) and Southern Flounder
(Paralichthys lethostigma)
Goals upon entry into program: Before obtaining a real job (hopefully a
career that integrates fisheries management, stock enhancement and
aquaculture), traveling around the world visiting friends and Southeast
Asia is a main objective.
Currently: Marine Debris Specialist, Coral Reef Ecosystem Division,
National Marine Fisheries Service, Honolulu,
Hawaii
Honors: EPA STAR Fellowship
Contact Information: |
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Thomas Molesky
Undergraduate
institution: University of Toledo, OH
Undergraduate degree: BS-Biology
Advisor: Dr. Martin Posey
Committee Members: Drs. Lynn Leonard, Larry Cahoon and Mr. Troy Alphin
Thesis Title: The Effects of Oyster Reefs on Microphyto-benthos and
Sediment Characteristics
Goals upon entry into program: Returning to teaching high
school science once degree is completed.
Currently: Teaching science courses at New Hanover High School,
Wilmington, NC
Contact Information:
Honors: Glaxo-Wellcome Oceans and Human Health Scholar |
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Shobu Odate
Undergraduate institution: University
of New Hampshire, Durham
Undergraduate degree: BS-Biology: Freshwater & Marine
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Pawlik
Committee Members: Drs. Richard Dillaman and Robert Hancock
Thesis Title: The Role of Vanadium as a Chemical Defense of the
Solitary Tunicate, Phallusia nigra
Goals upon entry into program: To rule the world with an iron hand!
Currently: Working as a medical researcher at Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Contact Information:
Honors: Glaxo-Wellcome Oceans and Human
Health Scholar |
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Jennifer O�Reilly (OHH)
Undergraduate institution: Rider
University, New Jersey
Undergraduate degree: BS-Marine Science
Advisor: Dr. Lynn Leonard
Committee Members: Drs. Courtney Hackney, Michael Benedetti, Michael
Mallin
Thesis Title: Assessment of Tidally Influenced Riparian Wetlands as
Sinks for Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Goals upon entry into program: Graduate school and hopefully obtaining
a job within field.
Currently: Analytical Chemist, US Geological Survey, Reston, VA
Contact Information:
Honors: Glaxo-Wellcome Oceans and Human
Health Scholar |
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Shauna Slingsby
Undergraduate
institution: University of California at Berkeley
Undergraduate degree: BS-Environmental Science, Policy and
Management
Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon
Committee Members: Drs. John Bruno, UNC-Chapel Hill and Robert
Steneck, University of Maine
Thesis Title: Patterns of Association and Interactions Between
Juvenile Corals and Macroalgae in the Caribbean
Goals upon entry into program: Visiting the reefsof Southeast
Asia and Australia. Plans after traveling include work in applied
coral reef science and management in Mexico and the Caribbean, particularly
in community-scale approaches to mitigatingdevelopment impacts on
reef systems.
Currently: working in Washington, DC as a Dean John Knauss Marine
Policy Fellowship executive fellow, awarded by the National Sea Grant
office
Contact Information: |
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Jennifer Williams (OHH)
Undergraduate institution: NC State
University
Undergraduate degree: BS-Science Education
Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Wright
Committee Members: Drs. Daniel G. Baden and Ronald Sizemore
Thesis Title: Characterization of Bioactive Secondary Metabolites
from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Prorocentrum Species
Goals upon entry into program: Return to high school science teaching
in Brevard, NC
Currently: Teaching middle and high school science and math in
Brevard, NC
Contact Information:
Honors: Glaxo-Wellcome Oceans and Human
Health Scholar |
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MMS Graduates
May 2003 |
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Dawn Carroll
Undergraduate institution:
UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: BS-Biology and Environmental Studies, minor in
chemistry
Advisor: Dr. Courtney Hackney
Committee Members: Dr. Jonathan Shaw (Biology Dept. at Duke
University) and Dr. Martin Posey
Thesis Title: Bryophytes as Indicators of Water Level and Salinity
Change Along the Northeast Cape Fear River
Goals upon entry into program: Would like to work with an
independent environmental consultant with projects including rare and
endangered species and wetland delineation.
Currently: Employed as a Biologist I with CZR (Coastal Zone
Resources) Environmental Consultants, Wilmington, NC.
Contact Information:
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Gianluca Manes
Undergraduate institution: Libera
Universita Delgi Studi di Urbino
Graduate degree: Environmental Science
Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon
Committee Members: Drs. Fred Bingham and Lynn Leonard
Thesis Title: The Near-bottom Chlorophyll A Maximum in Onslow
Bay: Effects of Wave Events on Benthic Microalgae Resuspension
Goals upon entry into program: Find a scientific position in Europe.
Currently: working for a marine engineering company in Italy
Contact Information: |
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Christopher Brent Manning
Undergraduate institution: North
Carolina State University
Undergraduate degree: BS-Natural Resources
Advisor: Dr. Joanne Halls
Committee Members: Drs. David Webster, Joe Pawlik andMr.
Andy Shepard
Thesis Title: Topographic Analysis of the Oculina Habitat Area of
Particular Concern Using a Multimedia Geographic Information System (GIS)
Goals upon entry into program: Acquire a PhD and develop wetland
restoration plans for local watersheds.
Currently: wetlands delineator for the Land Management Group,
Inc. in Wilmington
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MMS Graduates
December 2002 |
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Michelle Gomperts (OHH)
Undergraduate Institution:Cook
College, Rutgers University
Undergraduate Degree: BS-Environmental Science
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Carmelo Tomas
Committee Members: Drs. Daniel Baden and Joan Willey
Thesis Title: Analysis of Nitrogen Substrates Utilized for Growth by
the Phytoplankton, Karenia brevis.
Goals upon entry into program: Federal work or state employee in marine
science with a concentration in water quality and HAB management.
Currently: Teaching Biology at Brunswick Community College and plans to
open her own business.
Contact Information:
Honors: Glaxo-Wellcome Oceans and Human
Health Scholar |
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Ron Hardman (OHH)
Undergraduate
Institution: Adelphi University
Undergraduate Degree: BS-Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Dan Baden
Committee Members: Drs. Carmelo Tomas and William Cooper
Thesis Title: Harmful Algal Blooms in the Gulf of Mexico: Brevetoxin
Degradation and Derivative Formation via Photochemical
Processes.
Goals upon entry into program: PhD. work at Duke University or the
Medical University of South Carolina.
Currently: In PhD. program in Environmental Medicine at Duke
University.
Contact Information:
Honors: Glaxo-Wellcome Oceans and Human Health Scholar |
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Ashley Skeen (OHH)
Undergraduate Institution:
UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: BS- Marine Biology
Graduate Advisors: Drs. William Cooper (Chemistry) and Carmelo Tomas
(Biology)
Committee Member: Dr. Joan Willey
Thesis Title:The Production of Hydrogen Peroxide by
Heterosigma akashiwo Under Varying N:P Ratios
Goals upon entry into program: Continue a career in scientific
research for a few years and then pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
Currently: Research technician in the Harmful Algal Bloom Lab at UNCW.
Contact Information:
Honors: Glaxo-Wellcome Oceans and Human
Health Scholar |
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Amanda Smith
Undergraduate Institution: Appalachian
State University
Undergraduate Degree: BS-Applied Mathematics
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Fred Bingham
Committee Members: Drs. Leonard Pietrafesa and Lian Xie (NCSU)
Thesis Title: The Physical Effects of Hurricanes in Onslow Bay, NC
During 1999.
Goals upon entry into program: Conducting research in Maryland or Texas.
Currently: Employed by the NC Department of Transportation as an
Integration Technician, with responsibilities for creating databases,
conducting computer training, and web design.
Contact Information: |
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Paula Whitfield
Undergraduate Institution: George
Mason University
Undergraduate Degree: BS: Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Mike Durako
Committee Members: Drs. Lynn Leonard, Joanne Halls and W. Judson
Kenworthy (NOAA Lab, Beaufort, NC)
Thesis Title: The Recruitment, Survival and Growth of Thalassia
testidinum Seedlings in Physically Disturbed Seagrass Beds
Goals upon entry into program: Continuing research on seagrass
disturbance and recovery dynamics at NOAA in Beaufort, NC, expanding
on thesis research through spatial model development and application of
empirical seagrass growth data, and continuing research on invasive species
of Indo-Pacific lionfish, Pterois volitans, off of the east coast of
the United States.
Currently: Promoted to fisheries biologist at the NOAA Lab in Beaufort,
NC and local expert on lionfish.
Contact Information:
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MMS Graduates
May 2002 |
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Joni "Osku" Backstrom
Undergraduate institution: Florida
Atlantic University
Undergraduate degree: Marine Geology
Graduate Advisors: Drs. Bill Cleary and Nancy Grindlay
Committee Member: Dr. Doug Gamble
Graduate Thesis: Storm-driven sedimentary changes on
shoreface off Kure Beach.
Goals upon entry into program: Working for a government or
private company in beach nourishment, geologic and/or marine habitat
mapping, diving, and side scan sonar.
Currently: Received a PhD in Marine Geology from the University of
Ulster in 2008. Working for Coastal Planning and Engineering
in Boca Raton, Florida.
Contact Information:
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Shelly Miller
Undergraduate institution: Mary
Washington College
Undergraduate degree: BS-Environmental Science Graduate
Advisor: Dr. Lynn Leonard
Committee Members: Drs. Steven Kinsey and Joanne Halls
Thesis Title: An examination of phosphorus and sediment
characteristics within anthropogenically impacted estuarine watersheds.
Goals upon entry into program: Environmental management and/or
community outreach.
Currently: a Community Conservationist with the New Hanover County
Soil and Water Conservation District
Contact Information: |
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Kevin Rowland
Undergraduate Institution:
UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: BS-Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon
Committee Members: Drs. G. Brooks Avery and Dave Padgett
Thesis Title: Survival of Sediment-Bound Fecal Coliform
Bacteria and Potential Pathogens in Relation to Phosphate Concentrations in
Estuarine Sediments, S. Brunswick Co., NC
Goals upon entry into program: To work in water quality.
Currently: Working as an Environmental Specialist II with the
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
Contact Information: |
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Suzanne Sexton (OHH)
(First Graduate in the "Oceans and Human
Health" specialty!)
Undergraduate
Institution: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Undergraduate Degree: BS-Animal Industries
Graduate Advisors: Drs. Brooks Avery and Courtney Hackney
Committee Member: Dr. Lynn Leonard
Thesis Title: Rates of Carbon Remineralization in Sulfate-amended
Coastal Wetland Sediments - Implications for Sea-level Rise.
Goals upon entry into program: strengthen science background and return
to high school science teaching
Currently: a high school science teaching at Ashley High School
in Wilmington, armed with new knowledge and renewed enthusiasm!
Contact Information:
Honors: Glaxo-Wellcome Oceans and Human Health Scholar |
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Suzanne Zvalaren
(First Woman Graduate!)
Undergraduate
institution: UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate degree: BS-Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Drs. Joan Willey and Bob Kieber
Committee Member: Dr. Ann Pabst
Thesis Title: Chromium Speciation and Cycling in Coastal
Rainwater
Goals upon entry into program: UNC-Chapel Hill to obtain
Ph.D.
Currently: Completed a Ph.D. in chemical oceanography at UNC Chapel Hill in 2009 after conducting her research at UNCW, and is currently a Senior Biologist and Chemistry Liaison at Wildlife International in Easton MD.
Contact Information: |
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MMS Graduates
May 2001 |
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Jason Hales
(First Graduate!)
Undergraduate Institution:
UNC-Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: BS-Marine Biology
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon
Committee Members: Drs. Mike Mallin and Joan Willey
Thesis Title: Tidal Exchange in Coastal Estuaries: Effects of
Development, Rain and Dredging
Goals upon entry into program: work on subjects related to water
quality management in coastal environments. Use my interdisciplinary
education to help foster collaboration among biological, chemical and
physical scientists.
Currently: Working as an Environmental Consultant/Biologist for
CZR Consultants, Wilmington, NC
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