PROJECTS
DEVELOPING A PREDICTIVE FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ON FISH COMMUNITY ASSEMBLAGES IN A DYNAMIC ESTUARY
Climate-driven changes, such as warming water temperatures and the range expansion of mangroves into saltmarsh habitats along Florida’s east coast, are altering the environment with uncertain impacts on economically and ecologically important fish species. This study investigates fish dynamics over time and couples stable isotopes to determine trophic level and acoustic telemetry to determine fine-scale habitat usage of higher trophic level sportfish predators. Funded by NOAA Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship.
IMPACTS OF CLIMATE ON COASTAL FISHERIES
PhD dissertation research investigating
species distribution shifts and environmental factors influencing distributions. Funded by Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Environmental Defense Fund Leadership for Climate-Resilient Fisheries Fellowship.
LEADERSHIP FOR CLIMATE-RESILIENT FISHERIES FELLOWSHIP
This program supports early career change-makers and fishing community members who are working to advance fisheries and their communities’ ecological and socioeconomic resilience to climate change. Fellows receive grant funding and capacity-building experiences in the form of mentorship and training facilitated by Sustainable Ocean Alliance and the Environmental Defense Fund's Climate-Resilient Fisheries and Oceans teams.
​
https://www.soalliance.org/climate-resilient-fisheries-fellowship
SAILFISH DISTRIBUTION IN REGARD TO SST
Proposed and conducted own research project on Atlantic sailfish to determine if sea surface temperature affects the distribution of sailfish off the east coast of Florida from 2003 to 2018.
​
Publication link: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/mako/vol2021/iss1/1/
GULF-WIDE ELECTRONIC MONITORING FOR A SUSTAINABLE COMMERCIAL REEF FISH FISHERY
18 bottom longline and vertical-line vessels from Florida and Texas have participated in EM research that provides real data of use to fisheries management.
BEST FISHING PRACTICES FOR BYCATCH REDUCTION IN THE GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH FISHERY: EMPLOYING INNOVATION UNDERWATER CAMERAS AND THE REFINED MODELING TO FURTHER THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MONITORING
Using an underwater camera to speciate fish and sharks that may not have been able to be identified by other EM cameras.
ALBACORE TUNA DEPTH DISTRIBUTION
Using sPAT tag data, day versus night depth distributions of albacore from the North Atlantic were analyzed and compared to depth distributions from albacore in different localities and oceans for management purposes. Post release mortality as well as tagging procedure were also investigated.
TIME IN WILDLIFE REHAB CLINIC AND ADMINISTRATION OF ANTHELMINTIC DRUGS SIGNIFICANCE REGARDING AVIAN PARASITE COMMUNITIES RESEARCH STUDY
Investigating if time in a wildlife rehab clinic and if anthelmintic drugs administered are significant regarding parasite communities in avians in Nova Southeastern University’s Fisheries and Avian Ecology Lab.
AGE AND GROWTH OF MESOPELAGIC FISH
Age and growth project of escolar, oilfish, and snake mackerel through otolith extraction.
MOTE MARINE LABORATORY ANNUAL SNOOK TAGGING & RELEASE
Participated in Mote’s annual snook tag and release events by measuring fish, corresponding locations of fish, taking water parameter data, and transporting and releasing fish.
AGING OF GULF OF MEXICO FISHERY FISH SPECIES
Extracted otoliths from Gulf of Mexico caught commercial fish such as snapper and grouper species. Using otoliths as well as other data collected (length and weight) fish could be aged and growth curves created.
MONITORING OF STONE CRAB FISHERY IN FLORIDA
Conducted data on stone crab claws from commercial fishers such as claw type, size, regenerated or not, etc. Goal is to help monitor health of the fishery as well as regeneration rate of claws.
NEUROCRANIUM PREP OF ESCOLAR
Performed neurocranium skull prep of escolar by removing muscle, tissue, performing series of baths, and taking a 3-D scan of the cranium for the online database, NSU Works.
​
3-D scan link: https://skfb.ly/onoAR
GUT CONTENT ANALYSIS OF HMS
Research on gut content analysis of highly migratory species such as albacore, yellowfin tuna, swordfish, and other billfish species.
JAW PREP OF SPINY DOGFISH
Performed a jaw prep of a spiny dogfish and blacktip shark by removing muscle, tissue, performing a series of baths, and also 3-D scanned the jaw for the online database, NSU Works.
​
3-D scan link: https://skfb.ly/on6WT
CLEARING & STAINING OF BONY FISH
Performed a clearing and staining project on a series of bony fish in NSU's Fisheries and Avian Ecology Lab.
SHARK & STINGRAY DISSECTIONS
Performed shark and stingray dissections where internal organs and musculature were extracted for research purposes. Â Also assisted in a female versus male dentition project in stingrays where jaws were extracted, and the dentition was compared.
