{"id":15,"date":"2019-06-07T11:15:08","date_gmt":"2019-06-07T15:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/?page_id=15"},"modified":"2026-04-06T14:41:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T18:41:54","slug":"ceelab-members","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/ceelab-members\/","title":{"rendered":"CEELAB Members"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Dr. Linda Walters, Pegasus Professor of Biology<br \/>\nDr. Melinda Donnelly, Research Assistant Professor of Biology<br \/>\nDr. Paul Sacks, Field Research Technician<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-15 gallery-columns-4 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"241\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/06\/Linda-Walters-241x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"linda-walters-oyster-restoration\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/06\/Linda-Walters-241x300.jpg 241w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/06\/Linda-Walters.jpg 254w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 241px) 100vw, 241px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-443'>\n\t\t\t\tDr. Linda Walters \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"288\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/07\/Dr.-Melinda-288x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"melinda-donnelly-living-shorelines\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/07\/Dr.-Melinda-288x300.jpg 288w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/07\/Dr.-Melinda.jpg 575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-581'>\n\t\t\t\tDr. Melinda Donnelly\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"288\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/07\/Dr.-Paul-Sacks-288x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"paul-sacks-restoration-geology\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/07\/Dr.-Paul-Sacks-288x300.jpg 288w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/07\/Dr.-Paul-Sacks.jpg 575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-580'>\n\t\t\t\tDr. Paul Sacks\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"heading-underline\">CURRENT: Graduate Students<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-sm-8 col-md-9\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<ul>\n<li>Katherine Harris, PhD Candidate, Thesis title: &#8220;Exploring oyster reefs through virtual reality: Comparing methods of science outreach&#8221;; &#8220;Mangrove Encroachment on Oyster Reefs in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Luciana Banquero, MS candidate in Biology, Thesis title: &#8220;Investigating Effects of the Macroalga <em>Caulerpa prolifera<\/em> on the Seagrass<br \/>\n<em>Halodule wrightii<\/em> in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Tara Blanchard, PhD Student, Thesis title: &#8220;Understanding the Ecological Consequences of Intertidal Oyster Reef Fragmentation on Coastal Birds and Invertebrates.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Carla Perscky, MS student in Biology, Thesis title: &#8220;Integrating Genomics and Experimental Ecology to Enhance Seagrass Resilience to Marine Heatwaves.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Cara Womacks, MS student in Biology, Thesis title: &#8220;Non-plastic alternatives for oyster reef restoration: examining biodiversity and material longevity.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Madison Serrate, MS student in Biology, Thesis title: &#8220;Co-restoration habitat mosaic: evaluating the success of co-locating the<br \/>\nplantings of the seagrass <em>Halodule wrightii<\/em> with restoration of the eastern oyster <em>Crassostrea virginica.<\/em>&#8220;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-15 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/ceelab-members\/img_8286\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"757\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/IMG_8286.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"A group of seven people stand at night in a stadium, holding a large $50,000 check made out to UCF CEELAB from Coastal Conservation Association Florida for undergraduate-graduate-research initiatives.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/IMG_8286.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/IMG_8286-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/IMG_8286-1024x663.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/IMG_8286-768x497.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-908'>\n\t\t\t\tCEELAB members receiving a donation from Coastal Conservation Association Florida at the 2025 banquet. From left to right: Madison Serrate, Luciana Banquero, Katherine Harris, Cara Womacks, Tara Blanchard, and Dr. Walters. November 2024.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/ceelab-members\/screenshot-2025-08-06-091305\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"801\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-06-091305.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Two women stand and smile in front of a scientific research poster on a corkboard, proudly displaying their undergraduate-graduate-research work. Both are wearing conference name badges. February 2025.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-912\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-06-091305.png 801w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-06-091305-300x205.png 300w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-06-091305-768x525.png 768w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-06-091305-767x525.png 767w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 801px) 100vw, 801px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-912'>\n\t\t\t\tCarla Perscky (left) and Madison Serrate (right) smile in front of Madison&#8217;s &#8220;Atmospheric Deposition of Microplastics&#8221; research poster at the 2025 Indian River Lagoon Symposium.  February 2025.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row mt-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<h3 class=\"heading-underline\">CURRENT: Undergraduate Research Students and Field Assistants<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Lindsay Dolan, Honors Thesis title: &#8220;The Effects of a Non-Plastic Alternative Restoration Material on Oyster Reefs.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Maya Malka, Research title: \u201cInfluence of Oyster Reef Fragmentation on Coastal Bird Communities and Their Behaviors.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Lee Nguyen, Honors Thesis title: \u201cThe Shucking Truth about Microplastic Pollution in Aquacultured Oysters in the Indian River Lagoon.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Emma Quade, Honors Thesis title: \u201cPurr-sistent Pollutants: Invasion of Microplastics into the Reproductive Tissues of Feral and Domestic Felines.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Meagan Pack, Field Technician<\/li>\n<li>Danielle Cora<\/li>\n<li>Jordyn Delikat<\/li>\n<li>Natalia Knapp-Seale<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-15 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-large'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/ceelab-members\/image_2025-08-06_084822516\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/image_2025-08-06_084822516-1024x662.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"posing-on-oyster-reef\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-906\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/image_2025-08-06_084822516-1024x662.png 1024w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/image_2025-08-06_084822516-300x194.png 300w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/image_2025-08-06_084822516-768x497.png 768w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/08\/image_2025-08-06_084822516.png 1087w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-906'>\n\t\t\t\tPosing in front of restoration materials on an oyster reef with restoration in progress. From left to right: Katherine Harris, Lindsay Dolan, Madison Serrate, Gwyn Kirby, Lina Souza, and Annie Roddenberry. Summer 2025.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/ceelab-members\/best-team\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/best-team-1024x683.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"field-day-mosquito-lagoon\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-804\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/best-team-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/best-team-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/best-team-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/best-team-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/best-team.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-804'>\n\t\t\t\tConducting fieldwork and planting living shorelines in Mosquito Lagoon. Past undergraduates from left to right: Tara Blanchard, Maddie Serrate, Nicole Jerrell. Summer 2023.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row mt-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n<h3 class=\"heading-underline\">POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS and FIELD TECHNICIANS<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dr. Emily Watts, Postdoctoral Research Fellow 5\/2025-10\/2025<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dr. Giovanna McClenachan, Postdoctoral Research Fellow from 1\/2018 &#8211; 12\/2020. Now employed as an Assistant Professor at Stony Brook University in Long Island, NY.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dr. Giovanna McClenachan, Postdoctoral Research Fellow from 1\/2018 &#8211; 12\/2020. Now employed as an Assistant Professor at Stony Brook University in Long Island, NY.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dr. Melinda Donnelly, Postdoctoral Research Fellow from 1\/2016 &#8211; 7\/2019. Now employed as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dr. Paul Sacks, Field Technician<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Suzanne Connor, Field Technician<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jessica Phagan, GIS Technician<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Michelle Shaffer, Field Technician<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wei Samantha Yuan, Field Technician<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-15 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-large'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/ceelab-members\/fieldwork-cana-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/fieldwork-cana-1-1024x683.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Volunteers load oyster restoration materials. Summer 2023.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/fieldwork-cana-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/fieldwork-cana-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/fieldwork-cana-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/fieldwork-cana-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/fieldwork-cana-1.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-814'>\n\t\t\t\tVolunteers load oyster restoration materials.\nSummer 2023.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/ceelab-members\/collecting-sporobolus\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/collecting-sporobolus-1024x683.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Sporobolus-alterniflorus-restoration\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-824\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/collecting-sporobolus-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/collecting-sporobolus-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/collecting-sporobolus-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/collecting-sporobolus-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2024\/01\/collecting-sporobolus.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-824'>\n\t\t\t\tStudents collecting Smooth cordgrass seeds in Canaveral National Seashore. \nWinter 2023.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"heading-underline\">Previous Graduate Students<\/h3>\n<div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\" col-12 col-sm-4 col-md-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<div>Andrea Barber Alden: Thesis title: \u201cRestoration Of Intertidal Oyster Reefs Affected By Intense Boating Activity in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida.\u201d<br \/>\nArte C. Roman: Thesis title: \u201cSpatial and temporal analysis of the growth dynamics of the ascidian Perophora viridis.\u201d<br \/>\nBecca Fillyaw: Thesis title: &#8220;Optimizing Shoreline Stabilization Along Florida Estuaries.&#8221;<br \/>\nCasey Craig: Thesis title: &#8220;Quantifying Microplastic Pollution in a Florida Estuary.&#8221;<br \/>\nChristian Glardon: Thesis title: \u201cPredicting Risks of Invasion of Caulerpa Species In Florida.\u201d<br \/>\nChristian Pilato: Thesis title: \u201cHydrodynamic limitations and the effects of living shoreline stabilization on mangrove recruitment along Florida coastlines.&#8221;<br \/>\nDonna Campbell: Thesis title: \u201cQuantifying the effects of boats wakes on intertidal oyster reefs in a shallow estuary.\u201d<\/div>\n<div>Emily Suchonic, MS candidate in Biology, Thesis title: &#8220;Climate Change and Coastal Development Impacts on Oyster Abundances in Mosquito Lagoon, FL.&#8221;<br \/>\nEthan Fletcher Nash: Thesis title: \u201cUnderstanding The Invasion Of Florida\u2019s Intertidal Crassostrea virginica Reefs By Non-native Marine Invertebrate Species.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div>Gabriel Benson, MS candidate in Biology, Thesis title: &#8220;An Examination of the Relationship Between Shorelines and Fringing Seagrass Beds&#8221;<\/div>\n<div>Jennifer Manis: Thesis title: \u201cAssessing The Effectiveness Of Living Shoreline Restoration And Wave Attenuation in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida.\u201d<\/div>\n<div>Jennifer Stiner: Thesis title: \u201cPredation On The Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica On Intertidal Reefs Affected By Recreational Boating.\u201d<\/div>\n<div>Jessie Copertino: Thesis title: &#8220;Impacts of Oyster Reef Restoration on Threatened and Endangered Birds in Mosquito Lagoon.&#8221;<br \/>\nJoshua Solomon: Thesis title: \u201cIdentifying inundation-driven effects among intertidal Crassostrea virginica in a commercially important Gulf of Mexico estuary.\u201d<br \/>\nJulie Liss: Thesis title: \u201cThe Ecology Of Drift Algae In The Indian River Lagoon, Florida.\u201d<br \/>\nKatherine Brown Grablow: Thesis title: \u201cRecovery And Restoration Of The Seagrass Halodule wrightii After Boat Propeller Scar Damage In A Pole-troll Zone in Mosquito Lagoon.\u201d<br \/>\nLaura Ann Wick: Thesis title: &#8220;Vegetative fragmentation ecology of the macroalgae Dictyota and Laurenci in the Florida Everglades.&#8221;<br \/>\nLisa Wall: Thesis title: \u201cRecruitment And Restoration Of The Oyster Crassostrea virginica In Areas With Intense Boating Activity in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida.\u201d<br \/>\nMarie-Josee Abgrall: Thesis title: \u201cSettlement preferences, recruitment, and dispersal potential of the bryozoan Bugula Neritina on drift macroalgae in mosquito lagoon, Volusia County, Florida.\u201d<br \/>\nMelinda Donnelly: Dissertation title: &#8220;Effects of Biotic Interactions on Coastal Communities With Applications For Restoration.&#8221;<br \/>\nMelinda Donnelly: Thesis title: \u201cIs The Exotic Brazilian Pepper, <em>Schinus terebinthifolius<\/em>, A Threat To Mangrove Ecosystems in Florida?&#8221;<br \/>\nMichelle Boudreaux: Thesis title: \u201cNative and Invasive Competitors Of The Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica In Mosquito Lagoon, Florida.\u201d<\/div>\n<div>Mickey Negash, MS candidate in Biology, Thesis title: \u201cRhizophora mangle (Red mangrove) seedling success in different habitats in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida, USA.&#8221;<br \/>\nNicole Robinson: Thesis title: \u201cInteractions Between Nudibranch Okenia Zoobotryon And Its Bryozoan.\u201d<br \/>\nPanagiota (Penny) Makris: Thesis title: \u201cEffects of harmful algal blooms caused by Aureoumbra lagunensis (brown tide) on larval and juvenile life stages of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica).\u201d<br \/>\nRachel Odom: Thesis title: \u201cThe Next \u201ckiller\u201d Algae? Assessing And Mitigating Invasion Risk For Aquarium Strains Of The Marine Macroalgal Genus Chaetomorpha.\u201d<br \/>\nRachel Witcher: Thesis title \u201cBehaviors of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in non-restricted and restricted boating areas in the Indian River-Banana River Complex, Florida.\u201d<br \/>\nRebecca Wimmer: Thesis title: &#8220;Decades of community-based restoration: impacts on habitats and people.&#8221;<br \/>\nStephanie Garvis: Thesis title: \u201cQuantifying The Impacts Of Oyster Reef Restoration On Oyster Coverage, Wave Attenuation and Seagrass Fragment Retention in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida.\u201d<br \/>\nSuzanne Connor<br \/>\nWei Samantha Yuan: &#8220;The Effects of Non-native Species on Two Life-stages of the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica \u2013 Mussels and Barnacles.&#8221;<br \/>\nWendy D. Noke: Thesis title: \u201cInteractions between the Indian River Lagoon blue crab fishery and the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncates.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"heading-underline\">Previous Undergraduate Research Students<\/h3>\n<div>If you have conducted research as part of CEELAB but your name is not listed below, please contact us and we will happily add it.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Jessie Shaffer<\/div>\n<div>Carolina Souza<\/div>\n<div>Otis Woolfolk<\/div>\n<div>Gwyn Kirby<\/div>\n<div>Dwartney Wortham<\/div>\n<div>Cori McWilliams<br \/>\nJessie Schaffer<br \/>\nLina Souza<br \/>\nMeagan Pack<br \/>\nAmber Rogerson<br \/>\nJulia Kruger<br \/>\nMariam Sonbol, Honors in the Major Thesis title: Abundance And Habitat Associations Of Bivalves In Mosquito Lagoon, A Preliminary Survey.&#8221;<br \/>\nMorgan Vassar<br \/>\nStephanie Fletcher<br \/>\nTanelisse Gonzalez<br \/>\nTyler Callahan<br \/>\nNicole Jerrell, Honors in the Major Thesis title: \u201cExamining wrack in the Indian River Lagoon to understand diversity, abundance, and seagrass fragment viability.\u201d<br \/>\nTara Blanchard, Honors in the Major Thesis title: \u201cEffects of biodegradable oyster reef restoration materials on vertebrate abundances and behaviors.\u201d<br \/>\nMadison Serrate<br \/>\nJordyn Collis<br \/>\nStef Tasayco<br \/>\nJustin Miller<br \/>\nJenna Hodgson<br \/>\nJewell Rehkopf<br \/>\nSydney Busch<br \/>\nKatherine Guise<br \/>\nMelanie Delavalle<br \/>\nCristina Lingvay<br \/>\nWren Lee<br \/>\nCarwin Go<br \/>\nJulia Rifenberg<br \/>\nJason Litwak<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>John Buzby<\/div>\n<div>Gianna Fanelli<br \/>\nJulia Carlin: UCF Order of Pegasus Honoree, Top Honor Graduate. Honors in the Major Thesis title: \u201cInvestigation of Microplastic Accumulation in the Gastrointestinal Tract in Birds of Prey.\u201d<br \/>\nJacki Condon: SURF Scholar<br \/>\nCarter Cook<br \/>\nNoah Friedland<br \/>\nBrice Giles<br \/>\nJacob Hromyak: SURF Scholar<br \/>\nCalissa Jones: EXCEL Scholar<br \/>\nJessica Needham<br \/>\nJessica Phagan<br \/>\nMegan Witt: RAMP Scholar<\/div>\n<div>Ciera Jarrett<\/div>\n<div>Sara Joraleman<\/div>\n<div>Maya Alphonse<br \/>\nLacie Anderson: Honors in the Major Thesis title: \u201cQuantifying The Success Of Eastern Oyster Pilot Reefs in Brevard County, Florida.\u201d<br \/>\nJustin Bridges<br \/>\nSasha Brodsky<br \/>\nDottie Bryon<br \/>\nCourtney Buck<br \/>\nSteven Carrion: Honors in the Major Thesis title: \u201cDetermining Factors that Influence Smooth Cordgrass (<em>Spartina alterniflora Loisel<\/em>) Transplant Success in Community-Based Living Shoreline Projects.\u201d<br \/>\nOcean Cohen<br \/>\nSuzanne Connor<br \/>\nJane Conrad<br \/>\nCasey Craig<br \/>\nEmmi Curtiss<br \/>\nJulie DeLauriers: Honors in the Major Thesis title: \u201cPreventing Introductions to Sustain Healthy Ecosystems: Establish Eradication Protocols for a Popular Aquarium Seaweed.\u201d, Order of Pegasus.<br \/>\nHeidi Deutsche<br \/>\nJordan Filipino<br \/>\nSamantha Fischer<br \/>\nEddie Florres<br \/>\nHeather Flynn<br \/>\nStephanie Garvis<br \/>\nShelly Gaynor<br \/>\nViolette Gibbs<br \/>\nNancy Gillis<br \/>\nKatherine Brown Grablow<br \/>\nDaniele Greene<br \/>\nJeff Grevert<br \/>\nSummer Hamadeh<br \/>\nKatherine Harris: Honors in the Major Thesis title: \u201cOyster Reef Restoration: Impacts on Infaunal Communities in a Shallow Water Estuary.\u201d<br \/>\nLaura Wick Herren<br \/>\nPaige Jaffe<br \/>\nSarah Johnson<br \/>\nSydney Katz<br \/>\nMark Kemper<br \/>\nLori Konar<br \/>\nChelsea Landeau<br \/>\nJ.J. Leissing<br \/>\nDanny LeJuene<br \/>\nRob Levinthal<br \/>\nNicole Malizia<br \/>\nNeysa Martinez<br \/>\nMegan Mindalie<br \/>\nMikaela Morella<br \/>\nChristian Pilato<br \/>\nHeather Piper<br \/>\nMegan Robbins<br \/>\nNicole Robinson<br \/>\nMichele Shaffer<br \/>\nTiffany Sheldon<br \/>\nStephany Silva<br \/>\nLeah Smith<br \/>\nSamantha Spinuzzi<br \/>\nKali Standorf<br \/>\nAiesha Stevens<br \/>\nLauren Stroud<br \/>\nSara Bolivar Wagers<br \/>\nHeidi Waite: Honors in the Major Thesis title: \u201cInvestigating the Quantity and Types of Microplastics in the Organic Tissue of Oysters and Crabs in the Indian River Lagoon.\u201d<br \/>\nErin Walker<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dr. Linda Walters, Pegasus Professor of Biology Dr. Melinda Donnelly, Research Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Paul Sacks, Field Research Technician &nbsp; &nbsp; CURRENT: Graduate Students Andrea Barber Alden: Thesis title: \u201cRestoration Of Intertidal Oyster Reefs Affected By Intense Boating Activity in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida.\u201d Arte C. Roman: Thesis title: \u201cSpatial and temporal analysis of [&hellip;]","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>CEELAB Members - Coastal and Estuarine Ecology Lab (CEELAB)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/biology\/ceelab\/ceelab-members\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"CEELAB Members - Coastal and Estuarine Ecology Lab (CEELAB)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dr. Linda Walters, Pegasus Professor of Biology Dr. Melinda Donnelly, Research Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Paul Sacks, Field Research Technician &nbsp; &nbsp; CURRENT: Graduate Students Andrea Barber Alden: Thesis title: \u201cRestoration Of Intertidal Oyster Reefs Affected By Intense Boating Activity in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida.\u201d Arte C. 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