Past Fellows

Logan Track
2018
University of Florida

Kelly Van Woesik
2017
Florida Institute of Technology

Amy Polen
2016
University of South Florida

Aylesworth Scholarship

James Conroad
2017/18
University of South Florida
Ph.D. Biology

Devon Pharo
2017
University of Florida
M.S. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Cecily Burton
2016
Florida Gulf Coast University
M.S. Environmental Science

Kelli O’Donnell
2016
University of Florida
M.S. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 

Megan Conkling
2015
Florida Atlantic University
M.S. Biology

Stephanie Garvis
2015
University of Central Florida
Ph.D. Conservation Biology

Matthew Gorstein
2014
University of Florida
M.S. Food and Resource Economics

Stephanie Lawler
2014
University of South Florida
M.S. Marine Science

Michelle Masi
2013
University of South Florida
Ph.D. Marine Resource Assessment

Michael Dickson
2012
University of Florida
M.S. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Matt DiMaggio
2010
University of Florida
Ph.D. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Brooke Denkert
2009
Florida Gulf Coast University
M.S. Environmental Science

Guy Harvey Scholarship

Sarah Luongo
2019
Florida International University
Ph.D. Student, Biological Sciences
Estimating space use, behavior and energetic costs for free ranging nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus.

Breanna DeGroot
2018
Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Masters Student, Biological Science
The movement and habitat of spotted eagle rays throughout Florida.

Rachel Skubel
2018
University of Miami
Ph.D. Student, Environmental Science and Policy
How reproductive biology and behaviors of two marine catfish species, Ariopsis felis and Bagre marinus, which are both abundant throughout the southeastern U.S

Amanda Macek
2018
Jacksonville University
Masters Student, Marine Science
How small anatomical changes in various commercially available circle hooks affect where sharks are hooked, the injuries they sustain, hook removal and related mortality

Jennifer Loch
2018
University of Central Florida
Ph.D Student, Conservation Biology
How sportfish like snapper, seatrout and snook respond to habitat restoration in the Indian River Lagoon.

Susana Hervas Avila
2018
Florida State University
Ph.D. Student, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Understanding the various stakeholder perspectives of the red snapper fishery conflict in the Gulf of Mexico.

Alyssa Andres
2018
University of South Florida
Ph.D, Marine Science
How sharks respond to climate change and some of the ecological consequences of those responses

Grant Scholten
2018
University of Florida
M.S., Fisheries and Aquatic Science
How sportfish populations, both freshwater and marine, might be affected by increased fishing pressure.

Barry Walton
2018
Florida State University
M.S., Biological Oceanography
How reproductive biology and behaviors of two marine catfish species, Ariopsis felis and Bagre marinus, which are both abundant throughout the southeastern U.S

Nicholas Ducharme-Barth
2017
University of Florida
Ph.D, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Spatial information associated with the Vessel Monitoring System data and the commercial reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico.

Meaghan Faletti
2017
University of South Florida
M.S., Marine Science
Movement of hogfish in the Gulf of Mexico as they age.

Elizabeth Herdter
2017
University of South Florida
Ph.D., Marine Resource Assessment
Evaluating age structure, growth patterns and abundance of spotted seatrout young-of-the-year.

Bryan Keller
2017
Florida State University
Ph.D, Biological Oceanography
Spatial ecology and seasonal migrations of coastal sharks.

Brian Moe
2017
Florida State University
Ph.D. Biological Science
Life history and population dynamics of deep-water shark species.

Cheston Peterson
2017
Florida State University
Ph.D., Biological Science
How medium-sized predators make decisions about how to move and where to go based on the locations of their prey and predators.

Chelsey Crandall
2016
University of Florida
Ph.D, Interdisciplinary Ecology
How anglers interact with fisheries management and science.

Holden Harris
2016
University of Florida
Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Ecology
Is a commercial fishery a means of long-term control for the invasive lionfish in Florida?

Sarah Hoffmann
2016
Florida Atlantic University
Ph.D., Integrative Biology
Interaction between shark ecology and morphology of the head and pectoral fins across many shark species.

James Kilfoil
2016
Florida International University
Ph.D., Biological Science
Using video surveys to improve data collection for resource monitoring programs.

Louis Penrod
2016
Florida Institute of Technology
B.S., Marine Biology
Feeding patters of the invasive lionfish in a range of habitats and water temperatures.

Jake Rennert
2016
Florida Institute of Technology
M.S., Marine Biology
Age and growth patterns of bonefish in various habitats in Cuba.

Julie Vecchio
2016
University of South Florida
Ph.D., Marine Science
Using natural tags to understand movements and food preferences of fish over their lifetime.

Krystan Wilkinson
2016
University of Florida
Ph.D.
Predator-prey interactions between sharks and bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay.

Ross Boucek
2015
Florida International University
Ph.D., Biology
Using interannual variation in the hydrolic regime to predict spawning dynamics of Common Snook.

Marcy Cockrell
2015
University of South Florida
Ph.D., Marine Science
Investigating how 3 marine protected areas in the Gulf of Mexico benefit fisheries yields and spawning populations.

Chris Malinowski
2015
University of South Florida
Ph.D., Biological Science
Mercury contamination in Atlantic Goliath Grouper.

Luke McEachron
2015
University of Florida
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Ecology
Investigating the relationships between reef fish and habitat.

Erica Ross
2015
University of Florida
Ph.D., Fisheries
Using chemosensory cues to investigate pathogen emergence and disease orientation in the Caribbean spiny lobster.

Mary Kate Swenarton
2015
University of North Florida
M.S., Coastal Biology
Quantifying life history characteristics of the invasive lionfish.

Brendan Talwar
2015
Florida State University
M.S., Ecology and Evolution
Estimating post-release mortality of Cuban dogfish and gulper shark.

Sara Thomas
2015
Florida Atlantic University
B.S., Marine Biology
Digestion rates of invasive lionfish.

Ed Camp
2014
University of Florida
Ph.D., Fisheries & Aquatic Science
Studying how stocking redfish might affect the fishery as a whole.

Diana Churchill
2014
Florida International University
Ph.D., Biology
Gathering data to asses human impacts on deep sea animals in the Gulf of Mexico.

Joseph Curtis
2014
University of South Florida
M.S., Marine Ecology
Exploring whether invasive lionfish are competing with local predators for food and habitat.

Kristina Deak
2014
University of South Florida
M.S., Marine Resource Assessment
Examining how DWH oil spill has affected the immune system of red snapper and golden tilefish.

Bianca Prohaska
2014
Florida State University
Ph.D., Ecology and Evolution
Investigating potential effects of DWH oil spill on sharks, skates and rays.

Kristian Rogers
2014
University of Miami
M.P.S., Tropical Ecosystem Management
Evaluating a new trap aimed at removing invasive lionfish using the least possible involvement of SCUBA divers.

Geoff Smith
2014
University of Florida
Ph.D., Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences
Researching potential negative impacts of pike killifish on common snook in Tampa Bay.

Robert Ellis
2013
Florida State University
Ph.D., Biology
Understanding the relationship between red grouper and the community that develops around their dens.

Amber Ferguson
2013
University of South Florida
M.S.,Integrative Biology
Investigating the prey capture biomechanics, anatomy and bite force in the king mackerel.

Laura Habegger
2013
Ph.D., Engineering
University of South Florida
Understanding mechanics of billfish bite to inform management strategies.

Johanna Imhoff
2013
Florida State University
Ph.D., Biology
Studying the mercury contamination of deep sea sharks in the northern Gulf of Mexico following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Kristin Kopperud
2013
Florida Institute of Technology
Ph.D., Biology
Investigating habitat-linked changes in the retinal structure and visual processes of tarpon.

Arianne Leary
2013
University of North Florida
M.S., Coastal Biology
Examining how the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill affected the reproduction efforts of some species such as small sharks and red snapper.

Caitlin Pomerance
2013
UF Levin College of Law
student associate
Working with Bahamian and Florida-based not-for-profit organizations to develop and implement a Marine Managed Area in Long Island, Bahamas.

Alexis Segal
2013
UF Levin College of Law
student associate
Working to improve enforcement of existing fishery protection laws.

Tyler Sloan
2013
Florida Institute of Technology
Ph.D., Biology
Comparing the feeding performance and behavior of different life stages of lionfish at different water temperatures.

Sean Bignami
2012
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Ph.D., Aquatic Biology
Examining how ocean acidification might affect juvenile populations of marine fish such as mahi mahi and cobia.

Felipe Carvalho
2012
University of Florida
Ph.D., Fisheries Science
Management of blue shark populations in the Atlantic.

Kier Smith
2012
Florida Atlantic University
M.S., Fisheries
Testing fishing hooks treated with rare-earth metal compounds to prevent non-targeted shark capture in long-line fisheries.

Sarah Stephens
2012
University of Florida
M.S., Fisheries science
Working with Caribbean fishing guides on mark-recapture studies of permit.

Chelsea Bennice
2011
Florida Atlantic University
M.S., Biological Sciences
Habitat selection among fishes and shrimp in the pelagic Sargassum community: the role of habitat architecture and the impacts of the DWH oil spill.

Mark Squitieri
2011
University of South Florida
M.S., Marine Science
Detecting fish oil spill exposure using elemental crude oil markers recorded on otoliths.

Cheston Peterson
2011
Florida State University
M.S., Biology
Effects of the DWH oil spill on the trophic ecology of sharks and teleost fishes of the Florida Big Bend using stable isotope analyses.

Christina Walker
2011
University of North Florida
M.S., Biology
Examining the effects of the DWH oil spill on four species of sharks using a biomarker approach.

Melinda Donnelly
2010
University of Central Florida
Ph.D., Conservation Biology
Ecological interactions among mangrove plants and organisms to improve the success of salt marsh restoration efforts in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon system.

Austin Todd
2010
Florida State University
Ph.D., Physical Oceanography
Effects of ocean currents on the early life stages of gag grouper in Florida’s Big Bend region.

Elaine Newbern
2019
Eckerd College
B.A., Environmental Studies

Veronica Lucchese
2019
University of Miami
B.S., Marine Affairs

Emily Mavrakis
2018
University of Florida
B.A., Journalism

Marwan Alenezi
2018
University of Miami
M.A., Journalism

Kirsten Hecht
2017
University of Florida
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Ecology

Matthew Ware
2017
Florida State University
Ph.D., Biological Oceanography

Heather Sadusky
2017
University of Miami
M.S., Coastal Zone Management

Hannah Brown
2016
University of Florida
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Ecology

Abigail Engleman
2016
Florida State University
Ph.D., Marine Conservation Biology

Robbie Roemer
2016
University of Miami
M.S., Marine Affairs and Policy

Jennifer Adler
2015
University of Florida
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Ecology

Carrie Schuman
2015
University of Florida
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Ecology

Jordan Skaggs
2015
University of Florida
M.S. Fisheries

Chelsey Crandall
2014
University of Florida
Ph.D., Fisheries

David Shiffman
2014
University of Miami
Ph.D., Ecosystem Science and Policy

Devan Coffaro
2013
University of Central Florida
B.S., Radio/Television

Patrick Rynne
2013
University of Miami
Ph.D., Marine Physics

Andrew Barbour
2012
University of Florida
Ph.D., Fisheries and Ecology

Jim Harper
2012
Florida International University
M.S., Environmental Studies

Austin Gallagher
2011
University of Miami
Ph.D., Ecosystems

Erica Ross
2017
University of Florida
Ph.D., Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
PaV1 in Juvenile spiny lobsters

Abigail Engleman
2017
Florida State University
Ph.D.,Biological Science
Using 3-D printing in Coral Reef Restoration

Bryan Keller
2017
Florida State University
Ph.D., Biological Oceanography
Spatial Ecology and Coastal Shark Migration

Conor MacDonnell
2017
University of Florida
Ph.D., Soil and Water Science
Effects of Artificial Structures on Seagrasses

Devon Pharo
2017
University of Florida
M.S., Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Impact of Cyanobacteria Blooms on Hard-Bottom Habitat

Jennifer Adler
2016
University of Florida
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Ecology
Web-based, interactive tour of the Florida Springs.

Sarah Huff
2016
Florida Atlantic University
M.S., Environmental Science
Effects of wood-boring isopod on mangroves and other organisms.

Kevin Jensen
2016
New College of Florida
B.S., Marine Biology
Discovering possible nursery habitats for sharks in Sarasota Bay.

Margaret Vogel
2016
Florida State University
Ph.D., Biology
Identifying the Role of microbes in seagrass health.

Nan Yao
2016
Florida International University
Ph.D., Marine Biology
Stable isotope analysis to determine the origin and timing of lobster larvae.

Abigail Clark
2014
University of Florida
Ph.D., Fisheries
Evaluating patters in the prevalence of PaV1 in the Caribbean spiny lobster across different size and spatial scales.

Samantha Feingold
2014
University of Miami
M.S., Marine Affairs
An ethnographic assessment of St. Croix’s fishery and its response to HOVENSA Oil Refinery’s Closure.

Richard Hodel
2014
University of Florida
Ph.D., Biology
Used DNA sequencing to determine the genetic diversity of red mangroves in South Florida.

Ryan Lind
2014
University of Miami
M.A., Marine Affairs
Evaluating cost-effective rotifier production on commercial and custom diets.

Danielle Puls
2014
University of Florida
M.S., Interdisciplinary Ecology
The role Synechoccus spp. mucilage plays in the mortality of sponges in Florida Bay.

Arvind Shantharam
2014
Florida State University
Ph.D., Oceanography
Food web delineation and diet reconstruction of DeSoto Canyon macrofauna communities following the DHW oil spill.

Laura Bhatti
2012
Florida International University
Ph.D., Biology
The effect of no-take marine protected areas on the trophic ecology of coral reef fish.

Austin Gallagher
2012
University of Miami
Ph.D., Ecosystems
Social perceptions of the risks associated with recreational shark fishing in south Florida.

Evan Ged
2012
University of Florida
M.S., Environmental Engineering
Sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion and future health risks of drinking water in Cedar Key, Fla.

Yogesh Khare
2012
University of Florida
Ph.D., Agriculture and Biological Engineering
Used global sensitivity and uncertainty analyses for the evaluation of a spatially distributed watershed-scale model for Florida.

Mark Ladd
2012
Florida International University
Ph.D., Biology
Direct and indirect effects of outplanting variable densities of threatened staghorn coral in an effort to restore corals in south Florida.

Kristin Butler
2020
University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Masters, Marine Conservation
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (Minority)

Bryan Keller
2020
Florida State University
Ph.D., Oceanography
NOAA-NMFS, Office of International Fisheries

Amelia Roskar
Florida Atlantic University
Masters, Biological Science
NOAA-NMFS, Office of Science and Technology

Alexandra Skrivanek
2020
University of Florida
Ph.D., Geology
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere

Kathryn Slattery
2020
University of Florida
J.D., Environmental Law
U.S. EPA, Nutrient Criteria Program

Kathryn Lohr
2019
University of Florida
Ph.D., Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
NOAA Office of Marine Sanctuaries

Bianca Prohaska
2019
Florida State University
Ph.D., Ecology and Evolution
NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) International Activities Office

Emma Hollowell
2019
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
J.D., Environmental Law
United States Department of the Navy

Stacy Aguilera
2018
University of Miami
Ph.D., Ecosystem Science and Policy
White House Office of Technology Policy

Samantha Dowdell
2018
University of Miami
M.S., Marine Affairs and Policy
NOAA Office of International Affairs

Danielle Dodge
2018
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
M.S., Biology
National Science Foundation Ocean Sciences Division

Daniel Wolfe
2018
Florida State University
J.D., Environmental Law
NOAA National Marine Fisheries

Brendan Talwar
2017
Florida State University
M.S., Biological Science
Marine Mammal Commission

Adrian Mahoney
2017
University of Florida
Land Use and Environmental Law
NOAA Research Office of the Assistant Administrator

Alex Harper
2016
Florida State University
Ph.D., Chemical Oceanography
NOAA Ocean Acidification Program Office

Anna Normand
2016
University of Florida
Ph.D., Biogeochemistry
Senate’s Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Subcommittee

Erica Towle
2016
University of Miami
Ph.D., Marine Biology and Fisheries
Senate’s Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Subcommittee

Robert Ellis
2015
Florida State University
Ph.D., Biology
NOAA Office of Science and Technology

Andrew Rubin
2015
University of Miami School of Law
J.D.
NOAA Fisheries

Tara Dolan
2013
University of Miami
M.S., Marine Affairs and Policy
NOAA Office of Science and Technology

Erica Ombres
2013
University of South Florida
Ph.D.
NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research’s Ocean Acidification Program

Rachel Silverstein
2013
University of Miami
Ph.D.
Senate’s Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Subcommittee

Alana Smentek-Duerr
2013
Florida Atlantic University
Ph.D, Ocean Engineering
Department of Energy’s Wind and Water Power Program

Julia Galkiewicz
2012
University of South Florida
Ph.D., Biological Oceanography
NOAA OAR Communications Office

Robert Jones
2012
University of Miami
M.S., Marine Affairs and Policy
State Department Office of Fisheries and Marine Conservation

Becky Blanchard
2011
University of Florida
Ph.D., Anthropology
Office of Marine Conservation

Katrina Phillips
2011
University of Miami
M.S., Marine Affairs and Policy
NOAA OAR Communications Office

Heather Havens
2010
University of South Florida
Ph.D., Marine Science
U.S. House of Representatives
Congresswoman Louis Capps

Kari MacLauchlin
2010
University of Florida
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Ecology
NOAA NMFS Office of Policy

Tauna Rankin
2010
University of Miami
Ph.D., Marine Biology
NOAA NMFS Office of Habitat Conservation/Habitat Protection Division

Jennifer DuPont
2009
University of South Florida
Ph.D., Biological Oceanography
NOAA International Affairs

Melanie King
2009
University of Florida
J.D., Internat’l and Environmental Law
NOAA International Affairs

Nicholas Ducharme-Barth
2015-2018
University of Florida
Ph.D., Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Matthew Nuttall
2014-2017
University of Miami
Ph.D., Marine Biology and Fisheries

Holly Perryman
2011-2014
University of Miami
Ph.D., Marine Biology and Fisheries

Elizabeth Martin
2011-2014
University of Miami
Ph.D., Marine Biology and Fisheries

Mark Fitchett
2010-2013
University of Miami
Ph.D., Marine Biology and Fisheries

Steven Saul
2008-2011
University of Miami
Ph.D., Marine Biology and Fisheries

Andrew Ropicki
2011-2013
University of Florida
Ph.D., Food and Resource Economics

Chris Kennedy
2009-2011
University of Wyoming
Ph.D., Economics and Finance