 Shruti Arora
I came to The University of the Virgin Islands with a degree in Microbiology from India. My move was inspired by my interest in the fields of Marine and Environmental Microbiology. I have done research in the area of coral associated microbiota and I am currently working on a project that deals with mapping historical changes in USVI mangroves. I am strongly inclined to continue doing research in the area of coral reef conservation and management. I love to travel, sketch and paint during my free time. |
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 Rob Brewer
I earned a B.S. in biology from Concordia University, NE in 2006. While at Concordia, I developed an excitement for corals reefs on several study tours to Belize, and decided to make coral reef ecology my career. In 2008, I spent a semester in Dominica at ITME, surveying coastal crustacean populations. I was drawn to the UVI MMES program because of the chance it provided to study the reef environment year round. I have picked up where Allan Bright left off, continuing the long-term health monitoring of the important shallow water reef building coral Acropora palmata (elkhorn coral) around St. Thomas and St. John. My thesis will revolve around Acropora prolifera, the hybrid of A. palmata and Acropora cervicornis (staghorn coral), specifically assessing its distribution and morphological variations in different depth, light, and current environments around St Thomas. |
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 Leslie Henderson
I attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington for my undergraduate studies. I got a BS in Marine Biology with a minor in Chemistry. While enrolled in UNCW I did one study abroad semester at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia. It was during this semester that I developed a desire to pursue a career in marine research. I had the opportunity to stay at a research facility on Orpheus Island in order to learn basic research techniques in fish and coral assessment and abundance. After returning to the USA, I enrolled in a research oriented study abroad course headed by Dr. Alina Szmant. Half the semester was spent doing intensive coursework and the other half was spent doing field research on the Caribbean island of Curacao where I was able to do an independent research project on the settlement preferences and survivorship of Favia fragum larva at various depths. I am currently working as a research assistant for Dr. Tyler Smith on the effects of road construction on the amount of sediment that is entering the marine environment. In my free time I like to snorkel/scuba dive, play guitar, travel, read, skateboard, cook, play video games, go to concerts, watch movies, and just hang out with friends and family. |
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Bryan Legare- Graduated December 2011
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Steve McCauley- Graduated June 2010
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 Lia Ortiz
I graduated from the University of the Virgin Islands with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology in May 2007. Currently, I am a full-time student in the MMES program at UVI; a phlebotomist/lab technician at a local biomedical laboratory; and a full-time single mom of a 2 year old. I am also a teacher’s assistant for Dr. Ratchford’s general biology lab. My thesis interests lie in environmental microbiology in relation to marine water quality and coral health/disease. Though free time for me is rare, when I do get it, I enjoy spending time with family, going to the beach and dancing to local music.
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Gabriellle Renchen- Graduated June 2011
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 Jeff Renchen
I started my college career at Coastal Carolina University where I received my bachelor degree in marine science, with a double minor in mathematics and biology. I developed my interests in coral reefs during my undergrad career when attending a coral reef ecology class that took place in Discovery Bay, Jamaica. I am currently trying to publish research from Jamaica on the impact of marine groundwater discharge. While attending UVI, I hope to further my marine science knowledge and eventually develop a thesis project on coral larvae. I have also been a TA for SCI200 lab classes during my fist year at UVI. I just enjoy being in the ocean, so I try to find any excuse to go scuba diving whenever I actually have some free time.
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