Former Students

Nina Pruzinsky 

I became a member of the DEEPEND Consortium when I started working as a Graduate Research Assistant in Dr. Tracey Sutton’s Oceanic Ecology Laboratory at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in August 2015, and I completed my master’s thesis in May 2018. During this time, I gained skills in database management, research/sample processing (e.g., deep-sea and larval/juvenile tuna identification methods), website management, and effective team working and communication skills. Through DEEPEND, I have received several research and travel grants, assisted with multiple publications, and was named an Invited Speaker at the GOMOSES Conference and a GOMRI Scholar in 2019.

Since graduating, I am working as a Research Assistant and Lab Manager in Dr. Sutton’s lab. Since I am still working with the DEEPEND Consortium, I am continuing to investigate both tuna early life stages and deep-sea organisms. I also manage the DEEPEND and NOAA-NRDA ONSAP databases, manage sample collection/processing/storage, participate in research cruises, write and collate cruise reports, and participate in outreach/education activities. Mentoring the lab’s graduate (PhD and master’s level) students and volunteers is also another aspect of my job that I thoroughly enjoy; educating students about the deep-sea is an exciting experience. It has been the most rewarding decision to attend graduate school at NSU under Dr. Sutton and to continue to work with DEEPEND. In addition to Dr. Sutton's lab, I also working as a Research Assistant for Dr. Rosanna Milligan's Seascape Ecology Lab (focusing on analyzing DEEPEND/NRDA data) and Dr. Lopez's Marine Microbiology & Genetics Lab (focusing on work with the Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics Project).

Laura Timm

The research I completed in collaboration with DEEPEND focused on utilizing comparative population genomics to better understand the health and resilience of midwater invertebrates (shrimp and squid) in the Gulf of Mexico. I was particularly interested in the role of environmental factors in establishing and maintaining genetic structure in natural populations. In collaboration with other DEEPEND scientists, we integrated population genomic data and biophysical oceanographic modeling results to better understand the role of the Gulf Loop Current in connecting the Gulf of Mexico to the greater Atlantic.

My current research focuses on elucidating transmission dynamics of the parasitic trematode worm, Schistosoma japonicum, in the re-emergence of the parasite transmitted disease schistosomiasis in rural China. Utilizing the same high-throughput genomic techniques I developed in my DEEPEND research, I am analyzing population genomics of the parasites to better understand why and how the disease persists, despite decades of aggressive control measures. As in DEEPEND, this work is greatly benefited by integrating additional data, including data on genome architecture and estimates from epidemiological models of transmission. The broader goal of my postdoctoral research is to develop novel analysis methods to 1) extend the utility of data produced through reduced representation library methods and 2) probabilistically identify extended familial relationships in populations of non-model organisms lacking reference genomes.

Michael Novotny

My time as a Graduate Research Assistant with DEEPEND in Dr. Sutton's Oceanic Ecology Laboratory helped refine my scientific interest and career aspirations.  Aside from the emersion into the meso-and bathypelagic ecosystems, I became familiar with environmental practices such as mitigation banks, environmental impact assessments (EIA), a multitude of monitoring techniques, and natural resource damage assessments (NRDA).  My desire to practice the fundamental DEEPEND tenants of faunal assessment, time-series analyses, and impact mitigation, upon graduation lead me to the field of environmental consulting and enforcement.

Currently, as a Natural Resources Specialist within the Compliance & Enforcement Section of the Water and Wastewater Operations Division, I am responsible for the collection of groundwater, surface water, and drinking water throughout Broward in accordance with FDEP standard operating procedures.  A variety of environmental parameters are collected at each site as determined by the permit.  The standard water quality parameters taken are temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, and turbidity. Depending on the permit and collection source, various tests may be conducted to monitor nutrient concentrations, bacterial concentrations, metals, disinfection byproducts, or chlorine residuals. Beyond my work in the field, I also review environmental permits and compliance reports for consistency with federal, state, and local environmental laws, such as the Clean Water Act and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.

Sebastian Velez

I currently work as a federal contractor for NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) as the International Program Analyst, specifically focusing on capacity building activities in Southeast Asia. These activities aim to assist these countries in the implementation and enforcement of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) with programs that currently encompass Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. The objective of the PSMA is to prevent, deter, and eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by preventing vessels engaged in these activities from using ports and landing their catches. These activities require that I manage the logistics for several projects simultaneously and coordinate between multiple parties (both foreign and domestic). As a result of my previous work experience and my research as a member of the DEEPEND Consortium, I am often consulted about suspicious behavior surrounding various fishing fleets as well as providing biological context for reported catches/exports/imports of international fisheries. 

Richard Jones 

Since graduating with a master's degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2018, I have continued to work at the university as an associate researcher with the Center for Environmental Studies. I have been involved with numerous projects related to coastal resilience in South Florida, working with engineers and architects to help plan resilient flood infrastructure and development standards that consider the daunting challenges posed to Florida by sea-level rise. My work involves the development of novel methods of flood control using ecological solutions, such as mangrove shorelines and constructed wetlands, to help make the south Florida urban landscape more resilient to floods while improving the quality of life for both residents and wildlife. Recently my work has been awarded funding from Florida Sea Grant. 

My work with DEEPEND has helped me tremendously in my early career, most notably by gaining experience with data management and working with a large, diverse team spread over multiple institutions. 

Devan Nichols

I graduated from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in May of 2018 with a masters in marine biology. During my time at NSU, I worked as a Graduate Research Assistant in Dr. Tamara Frank's Deep Sea Biology Laboratory. During this time, I was also a marine sea turtle specialist with the Broward County Marine Sea Conservation program, and a naturalist instructor with the company build a field trip. After graduating from NSU, I decided to move back home to Massachusetts where I started working as both a scientific diver and an aquarist with the New England Aquarium.  

After these temporary positions ended, I was offered a position at Stony Brook University in New York as a research technician working under Dr. Joe Warren. I am currently working on a 10-year state-funded project using active acoustics to study the biology in the water column in the New York Bight. My responsibilities include being chief scientist on the night shift for our four annual research cruises, preparing scientific crew and equipment for all research cruises, maintaining the database where all graduate students and PI's upload various data from the project, writing annual and quarterly reports of our findings for the Department of Environmental Conservation, and identifying various zooplankton and fish caught on board. The skills that I obtained from working in Dr. Frank's lab with the DEEPEND Consortium undoubtedly played a role in obtaining my current position.

Working on the DEEPEND project, I gained ample experience in both identifying micronekton and zooplankton and operating as a researcher on various cruises. Additionally, my current boss also worked with DEEPEND’s acoustic sampling. Though we did not meet while I was in graduate school, this provided us with a commonality from the start. My experiences with DEEPEND while at NSU helped me prepare for my current position and will continue to do so throughout my career. I am very grateful for my time at NSU and the privilege to work as a part of the DEEPEND Consortium!

Lindsay Dollard 

As a Validation Analyst at Abbott Informatics my primary responsibilities are to test new features and tools, investigate and identify software bugs, and generate user documentation for our laboratory information management solution. While my day to day no longer involves deep-sea organisms, I rely on the laboratory experiences as well as coding and writing skills that I gained as a graduate student working with the DEEPEND Consortium. My hope is that the product I currently support will help others process samples in a more efficient and organized manner in order to improve both the turnaround time and quality of their results.

Drew Mertzlufft

Fishes have been a fascination of mine for as long as I can remember. If it has fins and swims, I want to know more about it. Pursuing a master’s degree in marine biology in the Oceanic Ecology Laboratory at Nova Southeastern University under the guidance of Dr. Tracey Sutton allows me to pursue my dream job by studying fishes and to produce meaningful science via a thesis research project. While taxonomy, diet, ecology, and life history of adult scorpionfishes in the Gulf of Mexico are well documented, the identification methods, diet, and food web relationships of juvenile scorpionfishes remain largely unresolved. My thesis project aims to describe the diet and ecology of juvenile scorpionfishes (suborder: Scorpaenoidei) from the Gulf of Mexico. My project utilizes fishes collected during the Offshore Nekton Sampling and Analysis Program (ONSAP) in 2010 - 2011 and DEEPEND in 2015 - 2018.

Kimberly Schmutz

I am interested in understanding the trophic dynamics and ecology of deep-sea ecosystems. My thesis focuses on the diet of several anglerfish species by conducting gut content analysis as well as investigating the role lures play in attracting different prey types. In my project I will also be investigating feeding patterns between male and females due to the lack of data while addressing whether males feed at any stage of their life. Before beginning my graduate studies at NSU, I studied at the College of Charleston investigating life history dynamics of coastal estuarine fish under the guidance of Dr. Gorka Sancho and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Brandon Brule

I am currently a Master of Science student attending Nova Southeastern University (NSU) studying the drivers of asynchronous vertical migration in mesopelagic fishes. My capstone project involves analyzing abundances and distributions of several species of fishes including members of Myctophidae and Gonostomatidae throughout the mesopelagic Gulf of Mexico. The drivers that cause some members of these families to migrate in smaller groups or not migrate at all is unknown. During my project, I will compare the abundances per depth of each species depending on time of day (day/night) and location within the Gulf of Mexico. Understanding why these fishes move asynchronously would help to more accurately measure the movement of carbon throughout the water column and increase our knowledge on the "biological pump," which represents the sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere into oceanic sediment within the deep sea.

Krista Scheuerman

I am currently a third year Master of Science student at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) studying deep-sea biodiversity in the Seascape Ecology Lab under Dr. Rosanna Milligan. My thesis project focuses on the taxonomic resolution, biodiversity, and assemblage structure of deep-sea fishes collected during the ONSAP Pisces 10 cruise in the Gulf of Mexico in 2011. The aim of my study is to analyze the effects of calculating multivariate biodiversity indices using varying taxonomic resolutions. I am also investigating the assemblage structure of these deep-living fishes to determine if the groupings (if they exist) align with the known life history and ecological traits of these species and determine how the taxonomic resolution affects those groups. Before attending NSU, I studied at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, where I received my Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology in 2016.

Matt Woodstock

I am a postdoctoral scholar at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution developing a food web model for the Northeast US continental shelf and oceanic zone. My research focuses on developing ecological models to investigate holistic ecosystem-scale processes and forecast population trends in response to disturbances or restoration. Additionally, I am interested in the active transport of nutrients by consumers in marine ecosystems. The majority of this research has focused in the deep-pelagic Gulf of Mexico, but I have also led ecosystem modeling projects for the southern North Sea and Chesapeake Bay. Results of these models are useful in characterizing ecosystem processes in marine ecosystems, how population changes of commercial and non-commercial species may affect the rest of the ecosystem, and the importance of non-consumptive effects of marine organisms towards nutrient dynamics.

Previously, I worked as a part of DEEPEND while earning a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and a PhD from Florida International University. Working under Dr. Tracey Sutton, my thesis was focused on the diet and parasites of mesopelagic fishes in the Gulf of Mexico, connecting the parasite fauna of select fish species (migrators and non-migrators) to their stomach contents (https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_stuetd/469/). Working under Dr. Yuying Zhang during my PhD, I expanded my focus to consider broad food-web questions. I also worked for the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program doing daily beach surveys, relocations, and excavations of sea turtle nests, and the Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy where I helped tag sharks and rays in an effort to understand the size and age structure of elasmobranch populations near Tarpon Springs, Florida. DEEPEND served as my introduction to highly collaborative research, which provided opportunities to grow in academia. I credit DEEPEND as the foundation for both my master’s, PhD projects, and beyond.

Up-to-date summaries of my projects can be found at my personal website: www.matthewwoodstock.com 

Mikayla Twiss

I am interested in using trait-based ecology to characterize the functional traits of understudied organisms to better understand their interactions with other species and their environments. Currently, I am working towards receiving my Master’s of Marine Science at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in the Seascape Ecology Lab under Dr. Rosanna Milligan. My thesis project utilizes computer-aided outline techniques to analyze the body shape of stomiiform fishes to relate their morphology with their established traits (e.g., vertical distribution patterns, diel vertical migration behaviors, and dietary preferences). I previously received my Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Biology and Captive Wildlife Care and Education at Unity College, Maine.

Olivia North-Menthonnex

I am currently a Master of Science student at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) studying the genus Cyclothone under Dr. Tracey Sutton in the Oceanic Ecology Lab. For my thesis project, I am completing an ecological assessment of Cyclothone in the Gulf of Mexico, including abundance, distribution, and species identification. Prior to attending NSU, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science from Jacksonville University where I focused on ecology and geology.

Sidney Trimble

Previously a Master of Marine Science Student at Nova Southeastern University estimating the carbon flux of Argyropelecus aculeatus (hatchetfish) within the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Hatchetfishes are one of the most abundant fishes in the world and some species (e.g., A. aculeatus) perform diel vertical migration and consume a large amount of prey, leading to them having a role in in the export and sequestration of anthropogenic carbon within the deep sea. The main goal of this study is to create individual-based A. aculeatus carbon flux models to estimate the carbon flux of these fishes and determine the extent of their role in the biological carbon pump (BCP) within the Northern Gulf of Mexico.

Ryan Byrne 

I am interested in using image-based analyses to help in determining where myctophid specimens may fall in their clade. My thesis project aims to utilize digital image analyses to offer insight into where an unidentified Diaphus specimen may fall within the genus. This is to be done with an examination of the lateral and orbital photophores of various myctophid specimens (mainly Diaphus spp.). Prior to NSU I received my Bachelor of Science in Marine Science at the University of South Carolina. 

Adam Warren 

My research involves examining the patterns of diel and ontogenetic vertical migration, vertical abundance, and distribution in the mesopelagic lanternfish in the northern Gulf of Mexico through detailing their size structuring and life history. My thesis aims to get a better understanding of one of the dominant fish in the highly complex and variable ecosystem structure of the Gulf of Mexico.

Thomas Ingalls 

I am interested in age and growth of commercial sciaenids from the Gulf of Mexico. My thesis focuses on how the shape and structure of otoliths change with age and environment. I will be using a combination of image analyses and increment analysis to study how the morphology of otoliths change with age, and if we can use shape and structure as a novel predictor of age

Mary Gad

Previous member of the Seascape Ecology Lab at Nova Southeastern University. Research focused on creating carbon flux models for three of the most prominent species (Ceratoscopelus warmingii, Diaphus dumerilii, & Lampanyctus alatus) of family Myctophidae in the Northern Gulf of Mexico.  

Hannah Johnson

I am interested in the reproductive ecology amongst deep-sea fishes. For my Master’s thesis, I will be focusing on reproduction of a deep-sea genus fish known as Chiasmodon (Scombriformes; Chiasmodontidae). I will be researching aspects of reproduction including separation of sexes (i.e. potential hermaphroditism), size at maturity, spawning frequency/timing, and gonad development. . Throughout the duration of my Master’s, I will be working as the Laboratory Manager and Research Associate under Dr. Tracey Sutton. I attended Providence College where I received my undergraduate degree and studied under Dr. John H. Costello focusing on the biomechanics of various animals. I was able to speak at a conference during my time at Providence in which I presented my research on the bio-fluid interactions of animal propulsors.

Travis Kirk

I am interested in the trophic ecology amongst deep-sea fishes. My Master's thesis project will be looking at the diet of a deep-sea genus fish known as, Chiasmodon (Scombriformes; Chiasmodontidae). I will be conducting a trophic study using stomach content analysis aiming to answer the questions of what, when/where, and how often these fish feed in the Gulf of Mexico. During my undergraduate studies, I was involved in herpetology research under Dr. Sean Sterrett, involving diet studies and population surveys of local freshwater turtles, along with the habitat distributions of various salamander species. I am also a co-author on a published paper, describing a shift in the diet of the Barbour's Map turtle after the introduction of an invasive bivalve.

Kathryn Lim 

I am interested in the types of gear and tools used to study the ocean. Specifically, different style and sizes of nets used for trawling. I did my master’s thesis on the trophic ecology of longfin escolars (Scombrolabrax heterolepis), an intermediate predator that is caught primarily by large midwater trawls.

Devynne Brown 

I am interested in the processes of bioluminescence and the luminescent capabilities of various deep-sea organisms including fishes, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. I will be studying light output of luminescent fishes and other deep-water fauna, the distribution of these light sources throughout the water column, and exactly what organs or adaptations these marine organisms utilize to glow! My other interests (and experiences) revolve around sea turtle conservation and the anthropogenic stress inflicted on seagrasses using stable isotope analysis. I received my undergraduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where I also was a member of the cheerleading squad all four years.

Estrella Malca 

My research encompasses the dynamics of the distribution, abundance, and larval growth of pelagic species, such as tunas and billfishes, in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent ecosystems within the Atlantic Ocean.

Ryan McGonagle 

I have several interests in the field of ichthyology which include but are not limited to morphology, ecology, and taxonomy of fishes. For my thesis, I studied the diet and morphology of Scaleless Black Dragonfishes (Family Stomiidae; Subfamily Melanostomiinae) in the Gulf of Mexico. During my undergraduate degree, I conducted shark research in Assateague, VA surveying seasonal abundance of shark populations with Dr. Dominique Didier of Millersville University.

Rachel Eckley 

I am interested in researching the ecology and structure of deep ecosystems. My thesis project involved the faunal composition, vertical distribution, and diet of whalefishes (suborder Stephanoberycoidei) in the bathypelagic Gulf of Mexico. The male, juvenile, and larval life forms of many whalefish species have yet to be described or properly classified. In my project I developed an identification guide that includes all whalefish life-history stages in order to aid in future identification purposes. Whalefishes have long been considered bathypelagic, however typical sampling methods of open net trawling make it impossible to determine capture depth. The specimens in this collection were captured in known discrete depths, which allowed me to determine the vertical range of each species and life-history stage. Much of the necessary dietary information on whalefishes is unknown. By performing a gut content analysis, I determined the most recent prey items for each whalefish species and life-history stage. Before beginning my graduate studies at NSU, I studied Marine Science, the Spanish language, and Hispanic cultures at Coastal Carolina University.

Natalie Slayden 

During my time at NSU, my research interests were focused on the life histories of deep-pelagic fishes. My thesis work was on the age and growth of deep-pelagic fishes, with case studies of meso- and bathypelagic species from the Gulf of Mexico. Before starting at NSU, I received my B.S. in Marine Biology from Old Dominion University and worked in Dr. Mark Butler’s Marine Ecology Lab studying the effects of climate change on the PaV1 disease in juvenile Caribbean Spiny Lobsters. 

Kendall Lord 

My research focuses on acquiring a better understanding of deep-water pelagic ecosystems with an emphasis on the bathypelagic realm. This is Earth’s largest habitat yet it is the least explored or understood. My previous experiences include a dive team internship at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in addition to working as a junior research assistant with the IUCN Marine Biodiversity Unit for Global Marine Species Assessment based at Old Dominion University.

Alex Marks 

My research interests are centered on the reproduction of fishes, especially on understudied species such as those found in the deep sea. My thesis focuses on the reproductive ecology of the Stomiidae, or dragonfishes, a large taxon of predatory fishes that primarily inhabit the mesopelagic zone. My thesis used a visual, macroscopic approach as well as microscopic, histological approach of the gonad. Using these methods, I collected data on the size at first reproduction, sex ratio, maturity stage of the gonad, hermaphroditism, and production rate of the 12 dominant species collected in the Gulf. These data are essential for ecosystem-based modeling of global deep-pelagic ecosystems, which contain the overwhelming majority of earth’s fish biomass.

Katie Bowen 

My thesis focused on juvenile reef fishes that were collected in the pelagic habitat of the northern Gulf of Mexico using a 10-m² MOCNESS midwater trawl during a 3-month (late spring/early summer) sampling series conducted in 2011.  The assemblage structure, abundance, biomass, horizontal and vertical distribution of juvenile reef fishes were described. Also, my interests include the biota of the deep sea, ocean conservation and restoration, as well as fisheries research.

Lacey Malarky 

My thesis project focused on the faunal composition and spatial distribution of pelagic larval and juvenile flatfishes in the offshore northern Gulf of Mexico. While adult flatfishes are generally found in coastal areas, their larvae develop in offshore surface waters, and are a consistent component of the oceanic ichthyofauna in the region.  My overall research interest lies in ocean conservation and fisheries research and management.

Lindsay Freed 

Historically marine microbes have been largely unculturable under laboratory conditions so I am interested in using sequencing technologies to gain a greater understanding of the community composition and abundance of microbes within the oceans. I am particularly interested in the microbial populations associated with marine organisms. I am pursuing my Master’s degree at Nova Southeastern University where I am working with Dr. Jose Lopez in the Microbiology and Genetics Lab. For the DEEPEND project I will be examining the microbiome of deep-sea anglerfish in order to gain further insight into just how these fish acquire the bioluminescent symbionts contained within their lures and whether these symbionts are present at detectable levels within the water column.

Kris Clark 

Kris Clark has a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. As a research assistant to Dr. Heather Judkins at USFSP, her role focuses on the genomic and morphological identification of cephalopods. Kris is a life long ocean enthusiast which compliments her work with DEEPEND. She intends on continuing her education in Cell and Molecular Biology. 

Maelle Cornic 

My research interests are focused on the importance of factors influencing the growth and survival of pelagic fish larvae to better understand the causes of recruitment variability. For my PhD, I am studying the early life ecology of tuna (genus Thunnus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The aim of this research is to determine the relative value of this region as a spawning and nursery habitat for tuna and the influence of oceanographic conditions on the distribution and abundance of tuna larvae. I am working with Dr. Jay Rooker and I will assist the DEEPEND project by participating in the ichthyoplankton cruises and identifying larval fish using visual and molecular methods.

Richard Jones 

Although my interests in ecology have varied widely, from agriculture to herpetology, my emphasis has always been on vertebrate diversity and its relationship to trophic structures. Currently, my graduate studies are focused on marine ecology and, specifically, mesopelagic fish diversity and biogeography. With the DEEPEND project I will be assisting Dr. Jon Moore at the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in the identification of deep-pelagic fish varieties with an emphasis on a little-known family of fish, the Paralepididae, often referred to collectively as “barracudinas”.

Jessica Lee

Jessica Lee has a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University and is a research associate for Dr. Jay Rooker at TAMUG. She will be focusing on the consequences of the DH oil spill on early life ecology and population dynamics of pelagic fishes, as well as overseeing the TAMUG LF cruises and reporting. Her research specializes in larval fish identification and otolith chemistry.

Corinne Meinert

I am interested in the early life ecology of marine fishes and fisheries conservation. Working with Dr. Jay Rooker at Texas A&M University at Galveston, my role in DEEPEND will be to examine commercially important epipelagic fish species. We will do this by focusing on larval fish samples and identifying the factors influencing the distribution, growth, and mortality of these species.

Travis Richards 

My research interests focus on marine community dynamics and food web ecology with an emphasis on predator-prey relationships, niche partitioning, spatial and temporal variation in food web structure, and the role that animal movement and migration plays in forming trophic linkages between spatially separated habitats. For my PhD research, I’ll be working under the direction of Dr. David Wells to explore how vertically migrating fishes and invertebrates potentially act as trophic links between epipelagic (surface) and bathypelagic (deep sea) communities.

Jorge L Perez-Moreno

My research interests mainly focus around marine invertebrates in extreme environments (i.e. caves, deep sea) and the use of next-generation sequencing to study their evolution, adaptations, diversity, and interactions with their environment. I will be involved in the DEEPEND consortium as a research assistant for Dr. Bracken-Grissom's team at Florida International University. Our research will use modern molecular techniques to examine the diversity of marine invertebrates in the deep gulf, with a special emphasis on crustaceans and cephalopods.

Sarah Shedler

I am passionate about better understanding pelagic ecosystems and marine biodiversity through midwater column research. For the DEEPEND project I examined abundances, vertical distribution and migration patterns of extant pteropods in the northern Gulf of Mexico. I am fascinated with these amazing “sea butterflies,” as they play a significant role in every aspect of oceanography. I will be completing my Master’s Degree with Dr. Heather Judkins and Dr. Brad Seibel at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science.

Guillaume Rieucau, PhD

Guillaume Rieucau is an Assistant Scholar at the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University. He received his M.S and Ph.D. at the Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada and was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France (2009 to 2011) and at the Institute of Marine Research, Norway (2011 to 2015).  He is a broadly trained behavioral ecologist and marine biologist interested in the ecological and evolutionary basis of social behavior in animals. His general interest is to ascertain how animals exploit the benefits of living in groups with the desire to gain a deeper understanding of how group-living organisms collectively respond to a variable environment, over ecological and evolutionary timescales to address ecological and conservation issues. His research is directed at examining the functions and mechanisms that underlie aggregative behavior in marine organisms. He explores how large animal aggregations form, maintain and collectively react as coordinated units to external factors such as predators, environmental conditions, anthropogenic disturbances, fishery activities and habitat structure. To understand how collective behaviors in group-living organisms emerge and evolve, Guillaume investigates the specific link between sensory properties of collective behavior, the environment and the fitness of individuals. He addresses most of these questions during mesocosm and in situ behavioral experimentations, using advanced acoustics, multi-target computer tracking, quantitative and theoretical approaches.

Laura Timm

My research interests focus on evolution, phylogeny, and population connectivity of marine invertebrates. I am interested in how these organisms disperse in the marine environment, and how this affects their diversity. As a research assistant to Dr. Heather Bracken-Grissom at Florida International University, my role in DEEPEND will be to examine population connectivity of crustaceans in the Gulf of Mexico. We will use Next-Generation Sequencing techniques to investigate species diversity and assess community structure.

Amanda Sosnowski

I am passionate about better understanding marine biodiversity through life history research. I am particularly fascinated with cephalopod life histories and linking their life histories with environmental variation. I will be working with Dr. Heather Judkins and Dr. Mya Breitbart at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science to examine various genetic markers in cephalopod species and how each gene is expressed at various developmental stages. By studying gene expression in cephalopod species over various life history stages, this information will lend a fuller picture to the identity of individual cephalopod species in the Gulf of Mexico.