The Lana Vento Charitable Trust generously donated $10,000 to the MMES program in 2008 to support student research projects. Allan Bright, Christine Settar, and Sean Richardson received grants of up to $2,500 each from the MMES Vento Research Fund. Allan is studying the effects of storm damage on disease prevalence in endangered elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata. Chris's thesis focuses on the knowledge and behaviors of island residents regarding coastal ecosystems. Sean is researching what effect removal of the exotic, invasive pinguin plant, Bromelia pinguin, has on native plants of St. Thomas. Students are not only benefiting by having their project expenses paid; they are also learning how to manage grants and budgets as part of the post-award activities, a skill that will serve them well in their future careers.

Says Chris Settar: "This award will not only help me and my fellow student assistants achieve our educational goals, but it will allow us to understand the relationship Virgin Islanders have with their coastal ecosystems, which could lead to the creation of targeted resource management strategies."