MMS Graduates May 2008
		Meghan Chafee Email: Undergraduate Institution: College of Charleston Undergraduate Major: Marine Biology Graduate Advisor: Dr. J. Craig Bailey Committee Members: Drs. Lawrence Cahoon, Lynn Leonard and Bongkeun Song Thesis: A Genetic Marker for Coastal Diatoms Based on psbA Plans upon entry into program: I hope to pursue a career in conservation genetics or evolution and perhaps someday obtain a PhD Currently: I am taking time off to travel before pursuing a job in conservation genetics
		Ned DuRant Email: Undergraduate Institution: UNCW Undergraduate Major: B.S. Environmental Science Graduate Advisor: Dr. Michael Mallin Committee Members: Drs. Larry Cahoon and John Morrison Thesis: The Cape Fear River Plume as a Zone of Enhanced Secondary Production Plans upon entry into program: I plan to earn a Ph.D., teach and do research at a university, travel all seven continents with my wife and son, and continue to rock out! Currently: Working as a research technician in the Aquatic Ecology Lab, UNCW
		Kassy Rodriguez Email: Undergraduate Institution: Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Major: Geology Graduate Advisor: Drs. Lewis Abrams and Nancy Grindlay Committee Members: Dr. Martin Posey and Mr. Troy Alphin Thesis: Mapping oyster reefs using sidescan sonar and seismic sub-bottom profiling, Cape Fear River, southeastern North Carolina Plans upon entry into program: To continue my education to the doctoral level and teach and perform research in a university. Currently: Working at ExxonMobil, as a Senior Geologist, Cross-Disciplinary Information Technology, Houston, Texas
		Barbara Jacobson Smith Email: Undergraduate Institution: UNC Pembroke Undergraduate Major: B.S. Biology & Chemistry Graduate Advisor: Dr. Richard Satterlie Committee Members: Drs. Richard Dillaman, Julian Keith and Stephen Kinsey Thesis: A comparison of the muscular organization of the rhopalial stalk in Cubomedusae (Cnidaria) Plans upon entry into program: Obtain a Ph.D. in marine science/biology. Work at an academic institution and/or marine science laboratory. Currently: a Research Technician Supervisor at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD Honors: 2006 recipient of the CMS Scholastic Achievement Award and 2007 recipient of the CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.
MMS Graduates December 2007
		Chris Canaday E-mail: Undergraduate institution: North Carolina State University Undergraduate Major: Mechanical Engineering Graduate Advisor: Dr. Fred Bingham Committee Members: Drs. Harvey Seim (UNCCH) and Russ Herman Thesis: Barotropic M₂ Tidal Analysis of Onslow Bay Plans upon entry into program: Scientific position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or pursue a Ph.D. Currently: Working as a civil engineer at Tripp Engineering in Wilmington, NC
		Renee Harrington Email: Undergraduate Institution: Southampton College of Long Island University, NY Undergraduate Degree: Environmental Science Biology Graduate Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon Committee Members: Dr. Michael Mallin and Dr. Eric Henry Thesis Title: Investigation of microbial contamination of sediment and water at boat ramps Plans upon entry into program: Conduct water quality research; work in the Environmental/Natural Resources field Currently: Environmental Analyst/Consultant for TEC, Inc., Santa Barbara, California
		Jaclyn Pitt Email: Undergraduate Institution: UNCW Undergraduate Major: Marine Biology Graduate Advisor: Dr. Robert Kieber Committee Members: Drs. Jeffrey Wright, Stephen Skrabal and Thomas Schuster Thesis title: Photochemistry of Brevetoxin Produced by the Dinoflagellate Karenia Brevis Plans upon entry into program: To pursue a career managing coastal water quality Currently: Working as an environmental lab technician at ElementOne Laboratories, Wilmington, NC
		Rob Reger Email: Undergraduate Institution: West Virginia University Undergraduate Major: Animal/Veterinary Science and Spanish Graduate Advisor: Dr. Carm Tomas Committee Members: Dr. Richard Laws and Dr. Richard Dillaman Thesis title: Biology and Seasonal Distribution of Hermesinum adriaticum in the New River of North Carolina Plans upon entry into program: marine related Ph.D. Currently: Rob Reger is a Research Fellow at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD
		Gwen Shaughnessy Email: Undergraduate Institution: California State U Long Beach Undergraduate Major: Marine Biology Graduate Advisor: Dr. G. Brooks Avery / Dr. Stephen Skrabal Committee Member: Dr. Courtney Hackney Thesis title: Surface and small-scale processes of biogeochemical cycling of organic matter in tidal marsh sediments Plans upon entry into program: Teach about habitat conservation and restoration Currently: Working for the state of Maryland Department of Natural Resources as a Coastal Hazards Planner. Honors: 2005 recipient of CMS Scholastic Achievement Award; 2006 recipient of CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
MMS Graduates Summer 2007
		Holly Oates Email: Undergraduate Institution: Meredith College Undergraduate Major: B.S. Biology Graduate Advisor: Dr. B.K. Song Committee Members: Drs. Robert Kieber and Joan Willey Thesis title: Molecular Determination of Arsenate Respiring Bacteria in Estuarine Sediments and Groundwater Aquifers Plans upon entry into program: Obtain a Ph.D. and work at a university teaching and doing research.
MMS Graduates May 2007
		Sara Althof Email: Undergraduate Institution: UNC-Charlotte Undergraduate Major: B.S. in Biology with a concentration in the Environment Graduate Advisor: Dr. Lynn Leonard Committee Members: Dr. Mike Benedetti and Dr. Courtney Hackney Thesis title: Effects of Spartina alterniflora on flow hydrodynamics in a tidal marsh: An experiment in biophysical interactions Plans upon entry into program: Environmental Consulting as long as I am by the coast. Currently: Employed at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher as a special activities instructor. Honors: 2006 recipient of the CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
		Michelle Ortwine Email: Undergraduate Institution: UNCW Undergraduate Major: B.S.-Biology, Chemistry minor Graduate Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon Committee Members: Dr. Mike Mallin and Dr. Eric Henry Thesis Title: The impacts of rainfall runoff on tidal creek algal and bacterial production Plans upon entry into program: Water quality research, teach or pursue Ph.D. Currently: Working as an Analytical Chemist at Quality Chemical Labs, but hope to find a job teaching. Honors: Won an award for best student poster at the annual NC Water Resources Research Institute meeting held April 4-5, 2006 in Raleigh, NC.
MMS Graduates December 2006
			Joe Carrier Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington Undergraduate Degree: Biology Graduate Advisor: Dr. Wade Watanabe Committee Members: Dr. Robert Roer and Dr. Pamela Seaton Thesis Title: Growth, survival and resistance to hypersaline stress in larval black sea bass (Centropristis striata) fed varying levels of dietary arachidonic acid (20:4n-6). Plans upon entry into program: teach Currently: Teaching at Tidewater Community College in Virginia and doing collaborative research on aquaculture with Virginia Tech and Virginia Cobia Farms in Hampton Roads, VA. Contact Information:
	Amanda Krzysiak OHH Undergraduate Institution: University of Miami Undergraduate Degree: BS-Chemistry Graduate Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Wright Committee Members: Drs. Daniel Baden and Dr. Joan Willey Thesis Title: *The Isolation and Characterization of Natural Products from Marine Plants and Microorganisms* Goal upon entry into program: Uncertain at present time, but will most likely pursue further graduate work. Currently: Received a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology from Purdue University in 2008 Contact Information:
	Amanda Myers Undergraduate Institution: UNC-Wilmington Undergraduate Degree: BS – Marine Biology Graduate Advisor: Dr. Ami Wilbur Committee Members: Dr. Wade Watanabe and Dr. Joan Willey Thesis Title: Recirculating Aquaculture System Integration of Bivalve Culture for Effluent Nutrient Composition Reduction Plans upon entry into program: Find environmentally friendly and economic ways to improve aquaculture systems. Currently: Working as a Research Technician at the UNCW Center for Marine Science, conducting experimental research in the areas of controlled breeding, larviculture, growout, effluent management, and economic and marketing of high value marine finfish and shellfish species for commercial cultivation. Contact Information:
	Stephen Truesdale Undergraduate Institution: North Carolina State University Undergraduate Degree: BS – Zoology Graduate Advisor: Dr. Wade Watanabe Committee Members: Drs. Ami Wilbur and Carmelo Tomas and Dr. Thomas M. Losordo from NCSU Thesis Title: Waste Characterization and Management of Effluent from Intensive Marine Finfish Recirculating Systems. Plans upon entry into program: Private aquaculture venture working with black sea bass, and commercial fishing. Currently: Operating a lab in Wilmington manufacturing prosthetic and orthotic devices for the handicapped. Also testing new components for the filtration process for flounder culture for the first commercial flounder production facility in NC, and conducting research on the production of biofuel from microalgae with NC Biotech. Contact Information:

MMS Graduates Summer 2006
	Stephen Gill Undergraduate Institution: University of Wales Swansea Undergraduate Degree: BSc Hons Marine Biology Graduate Advisor: Dr. Patricia Kelley Committee Members: Dr. Carmelo Tomas and Dr. Lawrence Cahoon Thesis Title: Phosphorus liberation by aquatic microorganisms Plans upon entry into program: Consultancy, bringing academia to industry...and get rich. Currently: Environmental Consultant, AMEC Earth and Environmental, London, England Contact Information:

MMS Graduates May 2006
	Christopher Stewart Undergraduate institution: Eastern Carolina University Undergraduate degree: BS – Biology Graduate Advisor: Dr. Fred Scharf Committee Members: John Schoolfield (NC Division of Marne Fisheries), Drs. Edward Boone and Thomas Lankford Thesis Title: Spatial and Temporal Variability in Recruitment Timing, Relative Abundance and Mortality of Juvenile Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in Southeastern North Carolina Plans upon entry into program: Work with a state or federal agency in eastern North Carolina, preferably in the Morehead City area. Currently: Working part-time with Progress Energy as a Biologist and also part- time with Dial Cordy and Associates here in Wilmington (Environmental consultants). Maybe I'll take a surfing trip back to Costa Rica before I have to get a full time job! Contact information:
	Brooke Stuercke Undergraduate Institution: U of Hawaii - Hilo Undergraduate Major: Marine Science Graduate Advisor: Dr. D. Wilson Freshwater Committee Members: Drs. Craig Bailey, Gregory Chandler, William Cooper and Donald Kapraun Thesis Title: An Integrated Taxonomic Assessment of North Carolina Polysiphonia species Plans upon entry into program: Teaching or working with a conservation agency Currently: Research Technician II, Laboratory Culture Specialist, CMS, UNCW Honors: Shortest time to degree - 22 months; 2006 recipient of CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award Contact information:
			Byron Toothman Undergraduate institution: UNC Wilmington Undergraduate degree: BS – Marine Biology/Environmental Science Graduate Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon Committee Members: Drs. Michael Mallin and Joan Willey Thesis Title: Phosphorus and Carbohydrate Limitation of Sediment-Bound Indicator Microbes in Bradley Creek Plans upon entry into program: To teach and conduct my own research at a university where there is no winter. Currently: Research Technician III, Coastal Ocean Research and Monitoring Program, CMS, UNCW Honors: National Science Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellow in the K-12 Education Program at UNCW and recipient of a 2005 CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award Contact information:
	Leigh Zimmermann Undergraduate institution: UNC Wilmington Undergraduate degree: BS – Environmental Studies Graduate Advisor: Dr. Carm Tomas Committee Members: Drs. Ronald Sizemore and Jeffrey Wright Thesis Title: Environmental Regulation of Toxin Production: Comparison of Hemolytic Activity of Amphidinium carterae and Amphidinium klebsii Plans upon entry into program: Work for a management agency of a coastal state within their harmful algal bloom program. Currently: Program Coordinator, National Oceanographic Partnership Program, Consortium for Ocean Leadership Honor: 2006 Dean John Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Executive Fellow, National Sea Grant Contact information:
MMS Graduates December 2005
			Jennifer Peterson Brousseau Undergraduate institution: University of Tennessee & UNC-Wilmington Undergraduate degree: BS-Botany (UT), BS-Marine Biology (UNC-W) Graduate Advisor: Dr. Carm Tomas Committee Members: Drs. Jack Manock and Martin Posey Thesis Title: Growth by Natural Phytoplankton Populations of Wilson Bay: A Nutrient Bioassay Approach Plans upon entry into program: Working with an independent environmental consultant or teaching young children about the importance of marine environments. Currently: Freelance writing and taking care of her small children Contact Information:
			Erin Carey Undergraduate institution: UNC-Wilmington Undergraduate degree: BS – Environmental Science Graduate Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon Committee Members: Drs. Lynn Leonard and Michael Mallin Thesis Title: The Effects of Beach Renourishment on Benthic Microalgae Plans upon entry into program: Completing my Ph.D. and establishing myself somewhere where the water is warm, the surf is clean, and I never have to look at another sport utility vehicle again. Currently: Environmental Technician managing the lab where fecal bacteria analyses of beach water and shellfishing waters are conducted, NC Division of Shellfish Sanitation, Wilmington Contact Information:
			J. Brooke Landry Undergraduate institution: University of Virginia Undergraduate degree: BA – Environmental Science Graduate Advisor: Dr. Michael Durako Committee Members: Drs. Joanne Halls and Steven Miller Thesis Title: Changes in the Density and Distribution of Florida Bay Macrophytes Plans upon entry into program: Plan on going straight into Ph.D. work in landscape ecology field. Currently: Environmental Careers Organization Intern, NOAA National Ocean Service Program and Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research in Beaufort, NC. Honors: National Science Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellow in the K-12 Education Program at UNCW and recipient of a 2005 CMS Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award. Recipient of 2006 Conference of Southern Graduate ETD Thesis Award. This includes a cash award of $500 plus travel expenses to attend the 2007 CSGS meeting in Chattanooga, TN where the award will be presented on February, 25, 2007. Contact information: &
	Nichole Parler Undergraduate institution: UNC-Wilmington Undergraduate degree: BS – Marine Biology Graduate Advisor: Drs. Joan Willey Committee Member: Drs. Robert Kieber and Robert Whitehead Thesis Title: Mercury Concentration and Speciation in Wilmington Coastal Rainwater Plans upon entry into program: Work for a pharmaceutical company. Currently: Chemical Technician, Lab Corp, Raleigh Contact Information:
	Kelly Taylor Undergraduate institution: Wilmington College, OH Undergraduate degree: BS – Chemistry Graduate Advisor: Dr. Brookes Avery Committee Members: Drs. Robert Kieber and Robert Whitehead Thesis Title: Beach Sediments: A Source of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Species to the Coastal Ocean Plans upon entry into program: Environmental work. Currently: Clinical Data Associate, PPD, Wilmington Contact Information:
	Heather Young Undergraduate institution: Coastal Carolina University, SC Undergraduate degree: BS – Marine Science Graduate Advisor: Dr. William Cooper Committee Members: Drs. Larry Cahoon and Carm Tomas Thesis Title: Effects of Ozonation of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM); Implications for Ballast Water Treatment Protocol Plans upon entry into program: Get a job with good benefits. Currently: working as a research assistant surveying lobsters with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in Long Island, NY Contact Information:

MMS Graduates May 2005
			Leslie Bradshaw Undergraduate institution: UNC Wilmington Undergraduate degree: BS-Marine Biology Graduate Advisor: Dr. Stephen Skrabal Committee members: Drs. Larry Cahoon, Bob Kieber and Joan Willey Thesis Title: Sources and Sinks of Nitrogen in the Cape Fear River Estuary, Southeastern North Carolina Plans upon entry into program: I will probably/hopefully go on to get my PhD? It seems like a good idea anyway. And definitely - lots of world travel in the picture (all in the name of science of course!) Currently: Chemical technician, Sweeney Drinking Water Plant, Wilmington Contact information:
			Courtney Hanby Undergraduate institution: Louisiana State University Undergraduate degree: BS – Zoology Graduate Advisors: Drs. Joanne Halls and Laela Sayigh Committee Member: Dr. Ann Pabst Thesis title: Use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to Examine Bottlenose Dolphin Community Structure in Southeastern North Carolina Plans upon entry into program: Pursuing a Ph.D., but right now just concentrating on getting through the Master’s program! Currently: Educator, New Orleans Aquarium Honors: National Science Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellow in the K-12 Education Program at UNCW Contact information:
			Jenny Johnson Undergraduate institution: UNC-Wilmington Undergraduate degree: BS-Marine Biology Graduate Advisor: Dr. Michael Mallin Committee Members: Drs. Larry Cahoon, Paul Hosier and Rob Whitehead Thesis title: Primary Productivity by Phytoplankton: Temporal, Spatial and Tidal Variability in Two North Carolina Tidal Creeks Plans upon entry into program: Water quality research and world travel. Currently: Environmental Science Consultant, Land Management Group, Wilmington, NC Contact information:
			Audra Luscher Undergraduate institution:

MMS Graduates NEW! Graduates in the News

Amanda Krzysiak OHH

Christopher Stewart

Undergraduate institution: Eastern Carolina University

Erin Carey

Audra Luscher

MMS Graduates

NEW! Graduates in the News