Haley K. Glasmann - PhD Student

I am a PhD Candidate in Dr. Kevin Boswell’s Marine Ecology & Acoustics Laboratory at Florida International University. My research focuses on using active acoustics to investigate the fine-scale depth structure and distribution of mesopelagic micronekton in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Specifically, I aim to integrate data from shipboard echosounders with that of an autonomous depth-deployed echosounder to examine the heterogeneity of the deep scattering layer community.

Before joining FIU, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

To keep up with my acoustic adventures, check out @scubahaleykat and @boswelllab on Instagram!

Haley McCartney - PhD Student

I am a Ph.D. student in Dr. Isabel Romero’s Marine Organic Chemistry Lab at the University of South Carolina. My research focuses on analyzing organic compounds in deep-sea fish to assess contaminant accumulation using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Through tissue partitioning studies, I aim to understand the sources of these contaminants and their potential impacts on deep-sea food webs. I am particularly interested in the health of the Rice’s whale (Balaenoptera ricei) diet, including prey species such as Ariomma bondi and krill, as well as potential bioindicators of lower trophic level health like Hoplunnis tenuis larvae that feed on marine snow, and Pyrosoma spp. Before joining Dr. Romero’s lab, I earned my B.S. in Marine Science from Eckerd College, where I spent four years conducting research in the Microplastics Lab.

Ian Areford - PhD Student

I’m currently a PhD student in Dr. Kevin Boswell’s Marine Ecology & Acoustics Laboratory at Florida International University. My current research focuses on understanding the spatial and temporal structuring of mesopelagic micronekton in the Gulf through the lens of hydroacoustics. My research aims to integrate shipboard and autonomous echosounder deployments with complementary sampling methods such as net catch and environmental DNA to investigate the spatial and temporal organization of the deep scattering layer and evaluate how these techniques can be effectively combined.

I was previously a member of the Seascape Ecology Lab at NSU under Dr. Rosanna Milligan where my thesis project focused on analyzing mesopelagic fish biomass patterns in response to major oceanographic features such as the Loop Current, mesoscale eddies, and freshwater runoff from the Mississippi River.

Lisa Rose-Mann - PhD Student

I am a PhD student in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida, working with Dr. Judkins. I am interested in anthropogenic influences on pelagic molluscs. My research focuses on organic contaminants such as PAHs, PCBs, OCPs, and ECCs in pelagic mollusc species like pteropods, heteropods, squid, and octopus. I hold a master's degree in marine science from USF's College of Marine Science, with a specialization in biological oceanography. I earned my bachelor's degree from the Honors College at USF St. Pete, majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry and a concentration in marine science. I am very excited about this rare opportunity to work with DEEPEND.

Natalie Howard - PhD Student

I am a Ph.D. student in Dr. Jon Moore’s lab at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, where I study family Melamphaidae. My journey into deep sea biology began during my master’s work, also with Dr. Moore, where I researched the vertical ecology and diversity of genus Melamphaes (family Melamphaidae). To expand our understanding of Melamphaids, my Ph.D. research encompasses the entire family. Using data from both the ONSAP and DEEPEND projects, we are investigating reproductive seasonality, dietary preferences, and are working to create a comprehensive identification guide for Melamphaidae found in the Gulf of Mexico.

My ultimate goal is for this research to inform policies that help protect the biodiversity of deep sea fishes in the Gulf. The deep sea has always fascinated me, and having the opportunity to study its unique fauna alongside an incredible group of scientists has been a wonderful experience.

Stormie Collins - PhD Student

I am a PhD Candidate in Dr. Heather Bracken-Grissom's CRUSTOMICS Lab at Florida International University, where I study the evolution and ecological role of bioluminescence and vision in deep-sea shrimps. My research integrates molecular phylogenetics and morphological analyses to explore how these adaptations influence behavior and survival. As part of the DEEPEND|RESTORE project, I analyze bioluminescent traits in specimens collected during deep-sea expeditions to better understand their function and evolutionary origins. I am passionate about uncovering the mysteries of deep-sea life and understanding how organisms use light to survive in the dark.

Alyssa Williams - MS Student

One of my main research interests is studying oceanic trophic dynamics. I am particularly interested in the role of mesopelagic fishes in marine food webs and how they connect deep-sea and surface water ecosystems.

Bianca Ruiz - MS Student

I am a Marine Science Master's student and Lab Manager of the Oceanic Ecology Lab at Nova Southeastern University. My thesis investigates the existence of an ecotone in the transitional boundary zone between the Gulf of Mexico's continental slope and offshore communities. Specifically, I am interested in how deep-pelagic assemblages change from an "open-ocean" to a "continental slope" state. The overarching goal of my thesis is to inform natural resource management policies for top predators that rely on these deep-pelagic assemblages as a prey source, including tuna and Rice's whale.

Gwyn Loughman - MS Student

Hello, I am one of the scientists involved in the DEEPEND|Restore consortium efforts to document changes in taxa following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. A little about me: I come from humble beginnings in rural upstate New York. Growing up amidst forests with no neighbors nearby, I naturally developed a fascination with nature. In childhood, my parents occasionally took us to the Jersey Shore, and I became obsessed with the ocean and its inhabitants. As a young child, my dream was to become a merman! Learning that this was scientifically impossible broke my heart. Still, the next best thing for me was engaging in marine science, diving, and learning all I could about the creatures that inhabit that beautiful environment.

Dr. Tamera Frank welcomed me into her Deep-Sea Biology lab as a thesis student, where I am currently researching Eucopidae to determine if their populations were affected by the spill, whether they migrate vertically, and if their numbers are more prominent offshore or near the slope. In her lab, I have learned crustacean identification techniques, solution preparation, and advanced microscopy, among other things, and I have participated in a research cruise with another graduate student on a different grant. During this cruise, we deployed Argo floats, fixed and deployed deep-sea nets and traps.

Once I have graduated, I hope to continue my deep-sea research in a PhD program, focusing on crustaceans or deep-sea corals/cephalopods, as these are species I have a great interest in.

Jacob Hack - MS Student

I am a master’s student in the Fisheries and Avian Ecology Lab at Nova Southeastern University, working under Dr. Kerstetter. My thesis project uses ONSAP trawl data to quantify catchability differences among gear deployed in the Gulf of Mexico surveys. I will calculate net-specific catchability by standardizing catch-per-unit-effort across nets, then use fish biological traits to model why certain species are over or undersampled. By linking these trait-catchability relationships, I hope to create correction factors for multi-gear survey data. The ultimate goal is to create a set of easy-to-use tools for managers and policymakers, enabling fair comparisons of deep-sea fish abundance and diversity and supporting more informed conservation decisions.

Keith Centeno - MS Student

I am currently a Master's of Science student at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) studying dragonfishes in the Seascape Ecology Lab under Dr. Rosanna Milligan. My thesis project is looking into the lateral body photophore pattern of the dragonfish Photostomias guernei and discerning if there are any intraspecific differences between the individuals of this species. Essentially, I am looking to see if the number, size, density, or pattern of these photophores are different between the sexes, maturity, length. and size of these fish. The goal of this project is to study how fluid this taxonomic feature is in this interesting family. Before coming to NSU, I received my Bachelor of Science in Marine biology at Barry University in North Miami, Florida.

Meta Hughes - MS Student

I am currently a Master of Marine Science Student at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) studying fishes in the Seascape Ecology Lab under Dr. Rosanna Milligan. My thesis work focuses on the distribution of fishes in relation to varying light levels in the northern pelagic Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Prior to NSU, I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Texas at Austin.

Paolo Soto - MS Student

While I find everything in the deep-sea fascinating, my main interest is how deep-sea communities distribute themselves based on topographical features and physical water parameter. I am currently working on developing a thesis project to narrow down this interest further!

Tate Abbott - MS Student

I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Marine Science at Nova Southeastern University, where I am a member of Dr. Tracey Sutton’s laboratory. My research interests focus on open-ocean pelagic fauna, specifically, hatchetfish. I am excited to be a part of the lab and grateful for the opportunity to work under Dr. Sutton’s guidance. Prior to beginning my graduate studies, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology with a minor in Art from Lees-McRae College. I am passionate about the natural world and dedicated to learning more about its diversity. 

William Mastandrea - MS Student

Hello! My name is William Mastandrea, and I am currently working on my Marine Science thesis at Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Center. My research focuses on compiling a dataset that links top epipelagic predators to deepwater prey, with the goal of better understanding vertical trophic interactions. I am deeply interested in ocean resource management. I believe that effective stewardship of our marine ecosystems requires a nuanced view that takes into account the dynamic relationships between the epipelagic, mesopelagic, and deeper ocean layers.

Zyan Brown - MS Student

My name is Zyan Brown, and I’m a master’s student in Dr. Tamara Frank’s Deep-Sea Biology Lab at Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Arts and Sciences. My research focuses on euphausiid assemblages and how their morphological traits may influence their ability to recover following environmental disturbances.

Through this work, I aim to better understand the resilience and dynamics of deep-sea organisms and ecosystems. Working in Dr. Frank’s lab has allowed me to explore the remarkable biodiversity of the deep sea and contribute to the ongoing efforts of the DEEPEND Consortium to uncover how these ecosystems respond to change. My ultimate goal is to contribute to the broader scientific community through research that helps protect and preserve the deep ocean for future generations—while hopefully one day discovering an animal species of my own.