Students scrubber diving

Students

mmes

College of Science & Mathematics
Master of Marine & Environmental Science

Welcome 2024 Cohort!

  

Current Students - 2023 Cohort

 

Current Students - Previous Cohorts 

Jordan Silva - Hey! My name is Jordan Silva and I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I graduated a few years ago with a B.S. double major in Biology and Environmental Science. Since I graduated, I have worked in environmental restoration, natural areas and land management, and in a microbiology lab. Ever since I was a kid, the ocean is where I wanted to be! I love surfing too, so if anyone ever needs a surf buddy, I am always down! Coming from Kentucky, there was not much opportunity to study marine life but, in my undergrad, I went on a trip to Belize and was studying coral diversity among the different reefs. This trip is what made me realize that I wanted to continue my education towards marine science and it was a great way to combine my love and passion for the ocean and career interests. So here I am now following that dream. I am always up to learn something new and offer a helping hand! 

James Powell, National Science Foundation ScholarHello! My name is James, and I hail from Warrenton, Virginia. My love for the ocean developed while completing my SCUBA instructor rating in Cozumel, Mexico in 2019. It was then that I decided to return home to complete my bachelor's degree in Environmental Science at the Virginia Commonwealth University. I am excited to be joining the MMES program and aim to build a career that will enable me to share my passion of the underwater world through research! During my time at UVI, I will be working with Dr. Cruz-Rivera on the degradation models of sargassum species and the effects of golden tides on Caribbean coastal sustainability.

Gregory O'Neill,National Science Foundation Scholar - My name is Gregory O’Neill. I am from Mesa, Arizona, and graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s in biology. I was born in Rocky Point, New York which is where I gained an interest in marine science. I am currently a Research Assistant in Dr. Richard Nemeth’s Lab. My thesis will be investigating the effects an invasive seagrass (Halophila stipulacea) has on the growth, diet, and feeding behavior juvenile Yellowtail Snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus).

Madison Miele, National Science Foundation Scholar - Hey, I’m Madison Miele! I’ve lived in Washington State my whole life. I just recently graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelors degree in marine biology in 2022. I have loved marine life ever since I was a kid, especially when I started snorkeling and scuba diving. Last summer I studied abroad in Turks and Caicos where I conducted research on sharks, turtles, and rays! I fell in love with Caribbean waters and all the animals in it. Along with that, I have interned with a pacific mammal research team in Washington State where we study harbor porpoises and seals. Everything in the ocean amazes me and I can’t wait to have more experiences in the Virgin Islands! Im very interested in shark or tropical fish research. I’m super excited to get a Masters in Marine and Environmental Science at UVI and can’t wait for the adventures that come with it!

Stefanie Maxin - Hi everyone! My name is Stefanie, and I’m originally from Texas where I graduated with a degree in Marine and Freshwater Science from the University of Texas in Austin in 2021. During my time as an undergraduate, I worked on a few different projects which mainly centered on using passive acoustics to monitor populations of marine fish species, and analyzing the behavior and cognition of marine mammals. Following graduation, I worked for the Marine Mammal Center’s Monterey Bay location where I assisted in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine mammals (mainly sea lions!), and furthered my passion for marine science and conservation efforts. I am looking forward to starting this next chapter of my academic career, and will be working with Dr. Rick Nemeth’s lab. My project will consist of using passive acoustic data to both help better understand the recovery of the local Nassau grouper population, and to quantify sounds made during the spawning activity of yellowtail parrotfish.

Corinne Johnson - Hi I’m Corinne! I am originally from Arizona but I grew up all over the world. I developed my love for the ocean and turtles when we took a family trip to Greece and I saw sea turtle conservation efforts on the beach. I graduated in 2017 with a double major in biology and sustainability from Arizona State University. While at ASU, I studied the social behaviours of resident hawksbill turtles off the coast of Maui, Hawai’i. During this project, I discovered my passion for behavioural ecology and the conservation impact it can have. At UVI, I will be studying territoriality of juvenile hawksbill turtles and I can’t wait to get started!

Avery Coble, National Science Foundation Scholar - Hi! My name is Avery Coble. I moved to St. Thomas from Tarpon Springs FL, but have lived all over. I graduated from UC San Diego with a B.S. in Marine Biology. While attending, I volunteered on the 100-island challenge run by Dr. Stuart Sandin, where I found my passion for corals. During this time, I also interned at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium working on baseline data collection, and with Manta Trust in Micronesia studying the reef manta ray's migration patterns. After I graduated, I worked for a while at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where I primarily worked on research and education. I am very excited to continue my education and be a part of the MMES program.

Darian Braddy, National Science Foundation Scholar - Good day! My name is Darian Braddy. I am from Savannah, GA, where I received my B.S. in Marine Sciences and a Data Analytics certificate at Savannah State University this year. I have done research on sea level rise and the effects on the local Savannah oyster population. I also did two research projects on small-scall vertical and horizontal migrations of the periwinkle snail related to tidal cycles and heights. I spent last summer on Ossabaw Island, GA as a sea turtle technician. I love diving and my goal at the University of the Virgin Islands is to study coral reef restoration and expand my knowledge from tidal marsh environments to tropical/mangrove environments. I also love coastal tourism and informing the public about the benefits of the ocean and the dire need to ensure marine health. I am super excited for this next step in my marine journey!

Adeline Shelby, National Science Foundation Scholar - My name is Adeline Shelby and I am originally from Dallas, Texas! I turned a 4-hour drive to the nearest beach to 15-minutes when I decided to go to the University of Miami. I graduated in 2019 with a B.S. in Marine Science and Biology. During my time there I helped conduct research on staghorn coral in an ocean acidification laboratory, interned at the Center for Sustainable Development in Cape Eleuthera, Bahamas, and studied abroad in the Galapagos Islands. I've become particularly interested in coral conservation and restoration. So, I am happy to be interning with Coral Restoration Foundation in Key Largo, Florida this summer where I get to assist with reef monitoring, harvesting, and outplanting! I'm very excited to get to continue this kind of work as a research assistant for Dr. Tyler Smith.

Lila Uzzell - Hey, my name is Lila Uzzell and I was born and raised on St. John, Virgin Islands. I received a B.S. in General Biology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2017, where I researched two pitcher plants (Sarracenia) and their hybrids. After completing my degree, I bicycled across the USA and then began working for the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Conservation & Research Department as their Conservation Assistant & Field Biologist. I love working with rare and native plants, but also have a rooted passion for the marine life I was surrounded by growing up. After three years at the Botanical Garden, I returned to St. John in 2020. When not working at my local dive shop, you can find me outdoors hiking, diving, freediving, surfing, or hanging at the beach with friends! I am so excited to be home and become a part of UVI's MMES program. My hopes are to pursue a thesis surrounding coral reef ecology or mangrove ecology.

Davis Strobel, National Science Foundation Scholar - Hey, I’m Davis Strobel from Charleston, South Carolina. I grew up in a Scouting family, which catalyzed my love for the natural world, and through scuba diving at a young age, I found my life goal of becoming a marine scientist. I attended Arkansas State University for my B.S. in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation while playing rugby full-time. Since graduating in 2019, I’ve been fortunate to work at some fantastic marine labs in Puerto Rico, the Florida Keys, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands. Some of my work experience to date has included topics on parasitology, fish behavior, microbial ecology, coral restoration, aquaculture, and educational outreach. My favorite part about this career path is my ability to make direct impacts in and out of the water; whether it’s outplanting coral or teaching youth about marine conservation, I’m in love! I hope to one day start an organization focusing on coral restoration, educational outreach, and eco-tourism..

Laura Palomino - Hi everyone! My name is Laura Palomino, and I am originally from Cali, Colombia. Growing up in Miami, I developed my interest in marine science by snorkeling, scuba diving and sorting through sargassum on the beach. I graduated from the University of Florida (GO GATORS!) with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Marine Science and have been working in the marine conservation field for the past 4 years. I have enjoyed working for several non-profits, Florida Fish and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Biscayne National Park, and the University of Miami. My background in education, coastal ecosystems, and citizen science has led me to pursue a graduate degree with Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes. My research at UVI will be centered on mangrove restoration and community engagement.

Kayla Halliday, National Science Foundation Scholar - Hello all, my name is Kayla Halliday and I was raised here on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. I have recently graduated with my B.S. in Marine Biology in May of 2020 here at the University of the Virgin Islands and I am very excited to be starting the MMES program.  From the time I first learned to snorkel, around the age of 3, I have always been curious and mystified by the ocean and all the creatures that reside there. Over my adolescent and adult years, my passion to protect my home and the waters that surround it grew, which is one of the reasons why I am choosing to further my education. My career goal is to be an ecological consultant here in the Virgin Islands. I am very interested in land/sea interactions and human/sea life interactions. During my time in the MMES program I will be working with Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes on advancing mangrove restoration. My thesis will focus on the bettering out planting for mangrove propagules.

Zachary Gregory,National Science Foundation Scholar  -My name is Zachary Gregory. I am from Washington State and received a bachelor’s in marine biology from Western Washington University. During my undergrad I found myself fascinated by habitat forming species such as anemones and corals. This fascination led me to many opportunities such as running independent experiments on coral bleaching in the Sea of Cortez and spent a summer aiding in propagation of corals such as Acropora Palmata and Acropora Cervicornis through MOTE Marine Laboratory’s Coral Reef Restoration Internship. I also spent my time volunteering in aiding WWU’s Surfrider Club with beach cleanups and organizing public outreach events. I have spent the past two years working with one of Washington’s native tribe where I have worked on monitoring salmon populations, restored riparian habitat, and aided in climate modeling. I am excited that my path has brought me to the MMES program at UVI, and for the experiences I’ll get during my time at St. Thomas. 

Shamoy Bideau - Hey, what's good? My name is Shamoy Bideau, I’m from St. Croix, but was raised in St. Lucia, where I first found my love for the ocean attending youth forums surrounding ocean resource conservation. I graduated from the University of the Virgin Islands with my B.S. in Marine Biology in 2020. I am a member of Dr. Marilyn Brandt’s lab, as a Research Assistant on the SEAS coral restoration project. Through my time at UVI, I amassed new skills which I think are beneficial to my future, but I'm not done yet - always up for learning something new. I'm excited to see what this new chapter holds for me.

Amanda Badai - Hi my name is Amanda Badai. I am originally from New Jersey, however I have resided in the Florida Keys for the past few years. I graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of New Haven in Connecticut. I completed a thesis where I determined if nematocysts from Aiptasia sp. and Cassiopea sp. could inhibit bacterial growth. After college I interned for Mote Marine Laboratory in their Reef Restoration Program where I gained experience in coral husbandry. I then had animal care experience with parrots and manatees at Miami Seaquarium and learned about their manatee rescue program. After Miami I moved back to the keys to become a Biologist at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters where I gained experience in elasmobranch and tropical fish husbandry. Other specialties there were water quality and animal training and manatee rescue. I look forward to studying and gaining more experience in coral disease and research with the MMES program. 

Andrew McGregor - Hello everyone, my name is Andrew! I grew up in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota and received a B.S. degree in biology with a minor in animal ecology from Iowa State University. My interest in marine sciences came from my undergraduate research experiences at The University of the South Pacific in Fiji and the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Lab. I developed an interest in sea turtles while assisting in a project that studied green and hawksbill turtle foraging behavior around the outer Fijian Islands and have wanted to continue studying these organisms in a graduate program ever since. For my thesis project, I will be working with Dr. Paul Jobsis to study the in-water habitat use and movements of hawksbill sea turtles in Brewers Bay, USVI. 

Naomi Scott - Hello! My name is Naomi Scott and I'm a graduate student in the MMES program at the University of the Virgin Islands. I'm originally from Chicago, IL but I earned my Bachelors degree in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Tampa. I'm interested in renewable energy so my research revolves around the ways renewable energy sources can be used in aquaculture. In collaboration with Dr. Sennai Habtes I hope to  build a portable aquaculture lab that is powered by solar photo voltaic energy and can be used in the field. When I'm not in class I enjoy teaching Science 100 to undergraduate students and researching new innovations in solar energy. 

Olivia Diana - Good Day! My name is Olivia Diana. I am originally from Massachusetts but finished my undergrad at Virginia Wesleyan University with a B.S. in Biology. Three months later I moved to Saint Thomas, USVI to pursue my masters and work with Dr. Cruz Rivera on comparing beaches for microplastic density depending on the sargassum density. I completed research on using death assemblages as indications of environmental recovery and presented the work at the International Crustacean Conference 9 (ICC9) in May 2018. I decided to study in the Virgin Islands after study away trips to both Belize and Costa Rica taught me about the ecological importance of protecting the tropical coasts. Contact: olivia.diana@students.uvi.edu