Graduate Student Incentive Grant Recipients
- Awards for Academic Year 2023-2024
- Awards for Academic Year 2022-2023
- Awards for Academic Year 2021-2022
2023-2024 Academic Year
Fall 2023 Awards
Kaitlin Glover, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Juli Harding
Taxonomic Diet Description of Brown Shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) in a Southeastern Estuary.
Julie Golden, Ph.D. in Educational Sciences
Faculty Advisor: Sheena Kauppila
Sense of Belonging among Nontraditional Students
Anne Gossman, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Diane Fribance
Ocean Sciences poster presentation on the distribution of nutrients through the Winyah Bay River plume
Daniel Greenway, Coastal Marine Systems Science (PhD)
Faculty Advisor: Erin Hacket
Influence of Evaporation Duct Lateral Inhomogeneity on X-band Radar Propagation
Christianna Morton, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Angelos Hannides
Tidal Creeks as Conduits of Land-Derived Nutrients to the Coastal Ocean
Amanda Pysher, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Keith Walters
Coastal transition zone development effects on local temperatures and saltmarsh ecology
Caroline Slaughter, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Juli Harding
Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Seasonal Population Demographics and Sex-Ratios in North Inlet Estuary, South Carolina
Zachary Weinstein, Ph.D. in Educational Sciences
Faculty Advisory: Sheena Kauppila
Does Phone Screen Time Influence the Academic Performance of Conditionally Admitted Students?
2022-2023 Academic Year
Fall 2022 Awards
Mary Olsen, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Angelos Hannides
Characterizing Temporal and Spatial Scales of Coastal-Ocean and Estuarine Acidification
Spring 2023 Awards
Julie Crews, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Eric Burge
Determining if Montauk, NY is a nursery ground for Shortfin Mako Sharks
Zachary Czoer, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Shen Zhixiong
#4217 High-Resolution Late Holocene Relative Sea-Level Reconstruction in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico and Implications to Regional Variability
Vanessa Dease, Ph.D. in Educational Sciences
Faculty Advisor: Tiffany Hollis
MENtal Health Matters: The Effect of Mental Health on African American Male Adolescents in Rural Settings
Kaitlin Glover, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Juli Harding
Taxonomic Diet Description of Brown Shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) in a Southeastern Estuary
Morgan Phelps, Masters of Arts in Writing
Faculty Advisor: Kate Oestreich
Conference travel support to present "On Digital Pasts and Futures: New Perspectives in Literature, Technoculture, and Media" at the 57th annual Comparative Literature Conference at California State Univ. Long Beach:
Clarissa Tuten, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Scott Parker
Impact of human foot traffic on raccoon predation rates of American alligator nests
2021-2022 Academic Year
Spring 2022 Awards
Anna Carnaggio, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies MS
Faculty Advisor: Michelle Barthet
Are Native Venus Flytraps able to form mycorrhizae associations?
Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve, found on the northeast coast of South Carolina, is where the unique, yet nearly endangered Venus Flytrap (VFT) is found to exist in one of its only native habitats found throughout the world. This environment is known for its unique evergreen, peat bog conditions that deprive the ecosystem of soil nutrients and require prescribed burn events for survival(Luken 2005). Unfortunately, this area has experienced a massive growth in infrastructure over the past several years. If the presence of new infrastructure impedes on the Carolina Bay habitat, the Venus Flytrap, will experience environmental pressures to survive. Though the Venus Flytrap has adapted well to nutrient deprived soils with its ability to trap-feed, how does the Venus Flytrap obtain its nutrients prior to the formation of the leaf trap? Previous to Adamec 2005, some believed the Venus Flytrap’s root system was weak and inefficient. Contrary to this belief, Adamec 2005 suggested evidence Venus Flytrap root systems were highly active and did maintain the ability to uptake nutrients from surrounding soils, if there was sufficient availability. Under normal conditions the environment is usually depleted of nutrients, until a prescribed fire event occurs, where a pulse of inorganic nitrogen is observed due to ash deposition (Dooley & Treseder. 2012). After fire events, decreased soil shading may lead to higher soil temperatures, which promotes the growth of fungi (Dooley & Treseder. 2012). Mycorrhizae are known to exist in acidic, low pH environments (Dooley & Treseder. 2012), such of those as the Carolina Bays. Mycorrhizal relationships between fungi and plant allow for beneficial nutrient exchanges between both species. Furthermore, mycorrhizae found in this habitat may alleviate some environmental stress for the VFT to obtain nutrients before trap-fed pathways develop. Thus, the importance of this study is to determine if the Venus Flytrap is physiologically able to form fungal associations that may aid in nutrient uptake for future success within its endangered ecosystem
Zachary Czoer, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Zhixiong Shen
Reconstructing late Holocene sea-level variability at centennial-scale in the northern Gulf of Mexico
The planned project seeks to create a reconstruction of up to 4000-years of sea-level change in the eastern Northern Gulf of Mexico to (1) add a high-resolution sea-level study in a region with no similar previous studies; (2) explore the sea-level change variability at centennial timescale and its correlation with climate change. To do so, soil cores from St. Vincent Island in the panhandle of Florida will be collected for marsh peat sediments that traces sea-level changes. This project seeks to help to further scientific understanding of relative sea level changes for the study location, as well as act as a useful comparison to similar studies conducted in areas like the Mississippi River Delta and southern Florida to explore the spatial variability of late Holocene sea-level change. The St. Vincent barrier island was formed ~4000 years ago and sea-level rise during since then has created a salt marsh encroaching the barrier island. Therefore, the salt-marsh deposits are ideal for tracing sea-level change in that region. This study will use marsh plant residuals found at different depths in the soil core to measure ages of soil samples, which combined with the sample height accurately surveyed, to reconstruct sea-level change. This project seeks to provide important information of the late Holocene environmental conditions in the Northern Gulf of Mexico and the variability that this area has had for sea level changes. This project will also provide comparisons to other studies and fill gaps in regional sea level change history benefiting not only those within this field also anyone understand how the environment has previously and is still likely to change, especially with a lot of research focused on climate change.
Kristina Flanigan, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Dan Abel
Using Environmental DNA as a Tool for Monitoring Elasmobranch Community Structure and Detecting Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) Habitat Usage of Winyah Bay
This project aims to survey the community structure of the shark population in Winyah Bay by identifying species based on the genetic material they leave behind in the environment. This method of monitoring a community is an emerging field in conservation known as environmental DNA (eDNA). eDNA methods allow researchers to reliably track the presence and absence of multiple species with just one sample and are ideal for rare or endangered species due to their noninvasive nature (Johri et al., 2019). These factors have made eDNA methodologies a vital next step for marine conservation and research. Winyah Bay is home to at least nine resident shark species; however, past studies using longline survey methods show that the community is dominated by Sandbar Sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus) at roughly 50% of the population (Abel et al., 2007). One of the driving questions of this project is to determine if the community structure demonstrated through longline surveys is also reflected in the eDNA surveys. In order to assess this, water samples were taken alongside baited longlines. Lab analysis will reveal if what was caught that day was the same as the species that were present in the water column. Additionally, water samples were taken throughout Winyah Bay to test for the presence of Sandbar Shark DNA. These results will determine which parts of the bay this specific species is using. Those are the questions this project aims to answer, but in order to do so, species-specific genetic primers must be created for multiple species in the bay. These genetic primers will be designed to amplify only one shark species per primer. Once the primer is added to the liquid sample, if that species' DNA is present, the primer will multiply its presence through PCR cycles until it is visible through gel electrophoresis. If the DNA is not present when the gel is run, the proper band will not be visible, indicating the absence of the species tested for. This method will allow for an unmistakable presence and absence analysis of the elasmobranch community.
Rileigh Hawk, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Dan Abel
Comparison of Juvenile Shark Body Condition in Two South Carolina Estuaries Varying in their Degrees of Urbanization
My study will be investigating the effects of urbanization on juvenile sharks in two South Carolina estuaries. Estuaries are a critical habitat for a variety of marine species, however, they are among the most impacted by urbanization. Coastal development and human activities near these waterways have far reaching impacts; from water quality to the biodiversity of species that call them home. Sharks are common inhabitants of estuaries and juveniles use these areas for their ample supply of prey and greater protection from predators. Juvenile sharks gain many benefits from using estuaries as nursery habitats. Estuarine nurseries have been shown to increase survival and support greater growth rates for juvenile sharks, however, as estuaries are degraded these benefits decline. Shark surveys will be conducted within Murrells Inlet, an urban estuary, and North Inlet, a protected estuary. I will measure body condition of juvenile Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks to examine if one system is more beneficial for young shark growth. I will also compare the abundance and diversity of sharks between the two systems. Finally, I will analyze the ambient noise levels of each system in order to quantify noise pollution as another impact of urbanization. Through this study I will identify if the urban estuary is less beneficial to the health of the young sharks and hopefully show that in order to support our shark populations, protected environments need to be prioritized.
Grace Kahmann, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Ryan Rezek
Trophic ecology and niche overlap of the invasive Peacock eel (Macrognathus aculeatus) and native fish species in the Florida Everglades
Due to hydrological and ecologic changes, the Florida Everglades are becoming increasingly susceptible to non-native and invasive species. In order to protect native species and the natural biodiversity of the ecosystem, it is important to understand and quantify the effects of these introduced species on the native communities. This study attempts to identify the isotopic niche overlap, if any, between the invasive Peacock eel and native consumer species of the Florida Everglades. This study will be done using a series of mixing models that analyze biological tracer data (i.e., stable isotopes), to estimate the proportions of various sources within a consumer's diet. These data will be used to compare the diets of the invasive Peacock eel to that of native species to indicate any overlap. This method will help us to determine the level of threat they may pose towards native species either by direct predation or through competition. This research is important not only for understanding the impact of the invasive Peacock eel, but also will serve as an example for future similar projects to assess the risk of other invasive species.
Ryan Lowndes, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Dan Abel
The deterrence effects of the Select Magnetic and Repellent Treated (SMART) Hooks and the next generation SMARTER Hooks on Elasmobranchs in recreational hook-and-line and longline trials
The bycatch (unintentional catch of any species that is not specifically targeted by a fishery) of sharks in commercial fisheries around the world has led to tremendous population decline in many species. In many fisheries that use hooks rather than nets or trawls to target their catch, sharks are routinely caught unintentionally and end up dying as a result of stress and/or injury. Fishermen can also lose time, gear, and money due to sharks destroying equipment that was not designed to catch them, not to mention risking severe injury when trying to get sharks off the hook. This project's purpose is to evaluate the potential shark deterrent effects of the experimental Select Magnetic And Repellent Treated (SMART) Hook as well as the newly developed "SMARTER" hook. These experimental hooks are electromagnetic, and could possibly deter sharks from biting them by overwhelming their electroreceptor organs when the shark gets too close. The SMART hook will be tested against controls in both a recreational hook-and-line capacity and on longlines mimicking a commercial fishery. The SMARTER hook will also be tested in the longline trials. These hooks are predicted to deter sharks from biting them while having no effect on bony fishes. If the evidence from these trials indicates a significant reduction in shark catches on the experimental hooks (meaning far less sharks are caught on the experimental hooks compared to controls), future work and trials can be conducted to determine its potential for use in various fisheries to reduce the bycatch of sharks. If the evidence indicates that the experimental hooks have little to no difference in shark catch rates compared to controls, future work and studies can look at possible modifications or alternative innovations for reducing shark bycatch.
Katie Maddox, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Chris Hill
Conference travel support to present "Effect of Urbanization on Loggerhead Shrike Foraging Behavior" at American Field Ornithologists annual conference in Plymouth, Massachusetts"
Association of Field Ornithologists (AFO) annual conference, Plymouth, Massachusetts, October 10-13. This presentation will be the culmination of the research conducted as the first chapter of my thesis work.
Meredith Pfenning, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Derek Crane
New observations about use of Oxytetracycline in age estimation of fishes
My project will be based on fish age estimation methodology. Age data provides significant information to fisheries science because it is used to understand growth and mortality, set length-based harvest regulations, and manage stocks. If age data is inaccurate, management strategies and the fisheries economy could be impacted; therefore, age estimation methodology must be validated to ensure accuracy. To estimate fish age, rings (i.e., annuli) that form in calcified structures are counted, which is analogous to estimating the age of a tree based on growth rings. Most fish age studies use oxytetracycline (OTC) as an aid to validate age because the chemical binds to bone, thus producing a fluorescent mark that can be seen under ultraviolet (UV) light with a filter. Recently, there have been observations of identifying an OTC stain under abnormal circumstances (without UV light). Nonetheless, there has been no documentation on the potential factors (species, structures, season of OTC injection, and length of fish) that could be affecting the visibility of OTC under natural light. My project is aimed to determine if there is a relationship between these potential factors and the visibility of OTC stain because it will improve age estimation methodology. If these marks can be seen without UV light, it would benefit age estimation studies because compound light microscopes are substantially less expensive compared to fluorescent microscopes. Additionally, this project will provide additional information to the fisheries database because four species and their age characteristics will be examined. To examine age characteristics, I will use the OTC stain to assist in validating annual increment (annuli) formation and determine when annuli form by using another technique, marginal increment analysis (MIA). This project will ultimately advance age estimation methods and add age validation information to fisheries science.
Molly Takacs, Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS)
Faculty Advisor: Derek Crane
Conference travel support to present "Growth and abundance of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon in the Edisto River, SC"
152nd annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Spokane, WA. My thesis research focused on juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) in SC. The Atlantic Sturgeon is an anadromous species of fish native to the coast of eastern North America. Dating back to Triassic period (200 million years ago), they are one of the most primitive fish species in the world. Atlantic sturgeon were once widely abundant and served as an important food source for Native Americans and early European settlers in the United States. Due to fishing overexploitation, habitat alteration, loss of nursery areas, and water pollution, the species has experienced drastic population declines and has been listed as federally endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The objectives of my thesis research were to (1) estimate the abundance of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon in the Edisto River, SC and (2) determine the growth of juveniles ans what environmental factors affect it. Recent research has provided population estimates of juvenile sturgeons along the Atlantic coast. However, few studies have focused on juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon within South Carolina and none have concentrated on growth. My study will provide the first long-term abundance estimates and growth data for juveniles along the entire east coast. Estimating the abundance and growth of juveniles is important for understanding early life history which aids in management and conservation of the entire population.