Current Graduate Students

Major Advisor - Dr. Ronald Baker (rbaker@disl.org)

AaronBland

Name: Aaron Bland

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Ecological assessments of living shoreline restoration projects.

 

Academic training: BS in Biology from The College of William and Mary

MS in Marine Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Email: abland@disl.org

 

HannahEhrmann

Name: Hannah Ehrmann

Program of Study: Ph.D.

 

Academic training: BS Environmental Studies from Gettysburg College

MS Environmental Science from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Email: hehrmann@disl.org

 

SarahRamsden

Name: Sarah Ramsden

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Integrating movement & trophic ecology to assess the functional values of red drum habitats through ontogeny.

 

Academic training: BS in Environmental Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University

MS in Marine Sciences from Savannah State University

Email: sramsden@disl.org

 

Major Advisor - Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael (rcarmichael@disl.org)

AniaBrown

Name: Ania Brown

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Effects of water quality on dolphin health and the implications for human health in a changing climate.

 

Academic training: BS in Animal BioScience from Pennsylvania State University

MA in Animal Behavior and Conservation from CUNY Hunter College

Email: abrown@disl.org

LaurenClance

Name: Lauren Clance

Program of Study: MS

Thesis or Dissertation title: Differences in Stable Isotopes and Trace Elements among groups of Bottlenose Dolphins in Mobile Bay.

 

Academic training: BS in Biology from UNC Chapel Hill

Email: lclance@disl.org

 
MatthewHodanbosi

Name: Matthew R. Hodanbosi

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Influence of freshwater influx on the diet and body condition of the common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, in Mobile Bay, Alabama, United States.

 

Academic training: BS in Evolution and Ecology from The Ohio State University

MS in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Email: mhodanbosi@disl.org

JoeHansen

Name: Joe Hansen

Program of Study: MS

Thesis or Dissertation title: The impacts of environmental variations on the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) microbiome.

 

Academic training: BS in Marine Biology with a Marine Conservation option and Computer Science minor from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Email: jhansen@disl.org

JoclynVillegas

Name: Joclyn Villegas

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Dolphin positive effect behavior and communication.

 

Academic training: BS in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University – Galveston

MPS in Marine Mammal Behavior from University of Miami – RSMAS

Email: Jdv2121@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Major Advisor - Dr. Kelly Drogan (kdorgan@disl.org)

Will Ballentine

Name: William Ballentine

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: The biophysical interactions between meiofauna and sand habitats.

 

Academic training: BS in Biology from Florida State University

Email: wballentine@disl.edu

 
ChesnaCox

Name: Chesna Cox 

Program of Study: MS

Thesis or Dissertation title: An assessment of the geotechnical properties and biology of sediment near unexploded ordinances.

 

Academic training: BS in Marine Biology from Troy University 

Email: ccox@disl.org

 
CyClemo

Name: Cy Clemo

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Relating physical disturbance, sediment geotechnical properties, and infaunal succession.

 

Academic training: BS in Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia

Email:  wcc1622@jagmail.southalabama.edu

 
KaraGadeken

Name: Kara Gadeken

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Coastal sediment response to the diel oxygen cycle.

 

Academic training: BS in Biology and minor in Marine Science from the College of William and Mary

Email: kgadeken@disl.org 

Major Advisor - Dr. Brian Dzwonkowski (bdzwonkowski@disl.org)

DevanarayanaMohanRao

Name: Devanarayana Mohan Rao

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Investigation of the intensification of landfalling storms over coastal shelves and its potential association with marine heatwaves.

Academic Training: BS in Physics from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India

MS in Earth and Space Science from York University, Toronto, Canada

MS in Oceanography from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, India

Email: drao@disl.org

 

HarikrishnanSreeshylam

Name: Harikrishnan Sreeshylam

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Coupled Physical-Biogeochemical processes in the coastal and estuarine environment of Mobile Bay.

 

Academic Training: BS in Physics from Mahatma Gandhi University, India

MS in Oceanography from Cochin University of Science and Technology, India

Email: hsreeshylam@disl.org

 

Major Advisor -  Dr. Jeffrey W. Krause (jkrause@disl.org)

AlisonRellinger

Name: Alison Rellinger

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: A comparison of DMSP cycling in Phaeocystis spp. 

 

Academic training: BA Biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland

M.S. Marine Sciences from University of South Alabama

Email: arellinger@asms.net

 

RyanRoseburrough

Name: Ryan Roseburrough

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Silicon and Lithium Isotopes in Reverse Weathering Products.

 

Academic training: BS in Marine Biology from Spring Hill College

Email: rrr2021@jagmail.southalabama.edu

 

 

AlexandraSmith

Name: Alexandra Smith

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: On the Origins and Degradation of Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (This title is tentative-my prospectus has not yet been finalized).

 

Academic training: BE in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University

Email: asmith@disl.org

 

 

Major Advisor - Dr. John Lehrter (jlehrter@disl.org)

JenniferDoan

Name: Jennifer Doan

Program of Study: MS 

 

Academic training: BS in Biology with concentration in Marine Biology from the University of South Alabama with a minor in Geology 

Email: jmd1524@jagmail.southalabama.edu

GregFeister

Name: Greg Feister

Program of Study: MS 

 

Academic training: BS in Forensic Science from the University of South Mississippi with minors in Chemistry and Criminal Justice

Email: gf2022@jagmail.southalabama.edu

AllisonFletcher

Name: Allison Fletcher

Program of Study: Ph.D.

 

Academic training: BS in Marine Biology from the
University of Southern Mississippi

MS in Marine Conservation and Resource
Management from the University of South Alabama

Email: afletcher@disl.org

MaiFung

Name: Mai Fung

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Effects of multiple drivers on eutrophication expressions and subsequent impacts on mercury cycling.

Academic training:  BA Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley 

MPH Public Health from UC Berkeley

Email: mfung@disl.org

Major Advisor - Dr. Sean P. Powers (spowers@disl.org)

LaiaJulianaMunozAbril

Name: Laia Juliana Muñoz Abril

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Laying the foundations for the conservation and management of coastal spawning areas of yellowfin tuna in Galápagos and continental Ecuador.

 

 

Academic training: BS in Biology from Universidad Industrial de Santander

MS in Applied Ecology from Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Email: Ljm2022@jagmail.southalabama.edu

DakotaBilbrey

Name: Dakota Bilbrey

Program of Study: MS

 

Academic training: BS in Biology with a concentration in Marine Biology and minor in Instrumental Music from University of South Alabama

Email: ddb1522@jagmail.southalabama.edu

PearceCooper

Name: Pearce Cooper

Program of Study: Ph.D. 

Thesis or Dissertation title: Assessing patterns of population structure, environmental selection, and estuarine use in sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus, using population genomics and otolith chemistry.

 

Academic training: BS in Fisheries Sciences from Virginia Tech 

Email: pcooper@disl.org

DylanKiene

Name: Dylan Kiene

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title:  Impacts of Climate Change on Flatfish.

 

Academic training: BS in Health Science from Spring Hill College

Email: dkiene@disl.org

 

EdwardKin

Name: Edward Kim

Program of Study: MS 

Thesis or Dissertation title: Age, growth, abundance, and distribution of Gray Snapper in coastal and offshore Alabama waters.

 

Academic training: BA in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania, 2016

Email: ekim@disl.org

 

 Major Advisor - Dr. Alison Robertson (arobertson@disl.org)

ClaytonBennett

NameClayton Bennett

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Toxicokinetics of Caribbean ciguatoxin in mid-trophic level fish.

 

Academic training: BS in Marine Biology from Troy University

Email: cbennett@disl.org

 

SeanCollins

Name: Sean Collins

Program of Study: MS

Thesis or Dissertation title: Effects of Phycotoxins on Endocrine Nuclear Receptor Response in Gulf Killifish (Fundulus grandis).

 

Academic training: BS in Biology from University of South Alabama

Email: scollins@disl.org 

 

AlexLeynse

Name: Alex Leynse

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Understanding the functional role of the meta-metabolome of benthic dinoflagellates in reef ecosystems

 

Academic training: BS and MS in Marine and Environmental Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University

Email: aleynse@disl.org

 

CalebWilson

Name: Caleb M. Wilson

Program of Study: Ph.D.

Thesis or Dissertation title: Toxin transport mechanisms and cellular response of marine toxins in fish and mammals

 

Academic training: H.BS in Science and Engineering (Biology and Biomedical Sciences) from Idaho State University

Email: cwilson@disl.org

Major Advisor - Dr. Lee Smee (lsmee@disl.org)

RandiCannon

Name: Randi Cannon

Program of Study: Ph.D. 

 

 

Academic training: BS in Biology (with an emphasis in Marine) from Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi

Email: rcannon@disl.org

CarterLin

Name: Carter Lin

Program of Study: MS

 

 

Academic training: BA in Biology from New York University (minor in Public Policy and Management)

Email: clin@disl.org

WilliamKnudson

Name: William Knudson, Jr

Program of Study: MS

Thesis or Dissertation title: Impacts of Black Mangrove Expansion in Salt Marshes on Sensory Ecology and Predator-Prey Interactions.

 

Academic training: BS in Marine Biology from the University of California Santa Cruz

Email: wck1922@jagmail.southalabama.edu

 Major Advisor - Dr. John Valentine (jvalentine@disl.org)

DorothyByronDavid

Name: Dorothy Byron David

Program of Study: Ph.D. 

 

Academic training: BS in Biology from University of Central Florida

MS in Biological Sciences from Florida International University

Email: dbd2021@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Major Advisor - Dr. Xiangli Wang (xwang@southalabama.edu)

DebbrotaMallick

Name: Debbrota Mallick

Program of Study: Ph.D. 

Thesis or Dissertation title: Species-specific fractionation of chromium isotopes in sea water.

 

Academic training: BS and MS in Marine Science from Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries,
University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Email: dm1925@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Major Advisor - Dr. John Lehrter / Dr. Sean P. Powers (Professional Master's)

KristineAlford

Name: Kristine Alford

Program of Study: MS 

 

Academic training: BS in Biology with a minor in Geology from University of South Alabama

Email: kaa1104@jagmail.southalabama.edu

AlyssaBourne

Name: Alyssa Bourne

Program of Study: MS

 

 

Email: ab2133@jagmail.southalabama.edu

AshleyHild

Name: Ashley Hild

Program of Study: MS

 

 

Email: anh1628@jagmail.southalabama.edu 

JessicaNash

Name: Jessica Nash

Program of Study: MS 

 

Academic training: BS in Marine Biology from the University of Southern Mississippi

Email: jnash@jagmail.southalabama.edu

EmilyPepple

Name: Emily Pepple

Program of Study: MS 

 

Academic training: BS in Freshwater and Marine Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Gannon University

Email: eap2121@jagmail.southalabama.edu

KatieWells

Name: Katie Wells

Program of Study: MS

 

Academic training: BS in Biology with a minor in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, and a concentration in Marine Biology from Tennessee Technological University

Email: kcw2123@jagmail.southalabma.edu

 

BrittanyWilliams

Name: Brittany Williams

Program of Study: MS

 

Academic training: Experience in assisting necropsies with marine mammals, PCRs, aquaculture, fin photography of dolphins, insect capture and identification.

Email: bnw1523@jagmail.southalabama.edu

 

Master Student in Environmental Toxicology

EmilieBerge

Name: Emilie Berge

Program of Study: MS 

Major Advisor: Dr. Sinéad Ní Chadhain

Thesis or Dissertation title: Characterization of Naphthalene Degrading Bacteria.

Academic training: BS in Biology with a minor in Marine Biology at the University of South Alabama.

Email: geb1621@jagmail.southalabama.edu

ChristopherMikolaitis

Name: Christopher Mikolaitis

Program of Study: MS

Major Advisor: Dr. John Lehrter

Thesis or Dissertation title: Cadmium and Salinity Stressor Synergy On Vallisneria neotropicalis.

 

Academic training: BS in Marine Science with minor in Geospatial Science from Stony Brook University

Email: cmikolaitis@disl.org

 

JosephJohnPavelitesII

Name: Joseph John Pavelites II

Program of Study: MS

Major Advisor: Dr. Ruth Carmichael

Thesis or Dissertation title: Cadmium Fractionation in Eastern Oyster Shells

 

Academic training: BS in Biology and BS in Chemistry from the University of Alabama

Email: jjp2024@jagmail.southalabama.edu