Students scrubber diving

Students

mmes

College of Science & Mathematics
Master of Marine & Environmental Science

Welcome 2025 Cohort!

 

 

Current Students: 2024 Cohort

  

Current Students - Previous Cohorts 

Sarai Hutchinson - Hey there! My name is Sarai Hutchinson and I was born and raised on the island of St. Kitts. I love staying active by going on hikes and snorkelling. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science in Spring 2022 at the University of the Virgin Islands. I have always considered myself to be an environmentally conscious individual; always wanting to find a way how I could help the environment. My interest in the marine sciences was triggered in in 2021 after I was a virtual guest student in the Amy Apprill lab at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) where I analyzed a time-series dataset to better understand potential SCTLD causes in Colpophylianatans corals around St. John, USVI. Post-graduation, I interned at The Nature Conservancy on St. Croix where I was a Coral Restoration Fellow in the Coral Innovation Hub. I was able to constantly learn new things, like coral spawning techniques, and garner skills in aquaculture. My interests in environmental restoration have led me to join the MMES program where I will be working with Dr. Kristin Wilson-Grimes to study whether Sargassum can be used in mangrove restoration.

Spencer Parr, National Science Foundation Scholar  - Good day! My name is Spencer Parr, I was born and raised on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. I have had a passion for marine organisms and their ecology ever since I was tossed in the ocean with a mask and snorkel at the age of 2! Catastrophic hurricane damage to my island home prompted me to move to the mainland to pursue my undergraduate education. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with a Marine Emphasis from Western Washington University. I have always had an ambition for identifying anything and everything my eyes saw while snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean Sea. I have a keen interest in understanding the form and function of a diverse array of marine organisms. Undergraduate coursework and research experiences (strengthened) broadened my understanding of the consequences of climate change and other anthropogenic effects on the marine biome and benthic communities. This knowledge and my environmental stewardship standpoint drives me to devote myself to marine scientific discovery, especially in the genre of marine community ecology, ecosystem health monitoring, coral conservation and restoration. My graduate studies in the MMES program at UVI and research assistantship in Dr Tyler Smith’s lab will further the breadth and depth of my marine science knowledge, expand my research experience and focus my research interests on coral reef community ecology. 

Cole Sheeley, National Science Foundation Scholar - Good day everyone, my name is Cole Sheeley. I am from Rockland County New York, which is near New York City along the Hudson River. From a very early age I have been fascinated with the ocean and sea life. Following my passion, I graduated from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology. During my time at the University, I was fortunate to study under Dr. Koty Sharp in her coral lab. After graduation I was accepted at MOTE Marine Laboratory in the Florida Keys as an intern. At MOTE I worked under Dr. Jason Spadaro in the crab lab. I was introduced to the ecology field and studied the connections between grazers along the reef. My experiences at Mote inspired my interest to pursue a career in coral reef conservation and restoration. I am beyond excited to be joining the MMEES cohort and look forward to working with Dr. Tyler Smith and Professor Doug Wilson on a joint underwater glider project. 

LeeAnn Sheets, National Science Foundation Scholar - My name is LeeAnn Sheets, I am originally from Indiana but came to St. Thomas to finish my bachelor’s degree in marine biology. Prior to UVI I got an associate degree in biology and behavioral psychology. When I was a junior in high school my parents sent me to Zanzibar, Africa on a research trip to study how dolphins interact with tourists. Another aspect of this was trying to put regulations in place in order to protect the well-being of those dolphins. This experience really opened my world up and helped set me on the path that I am on today. Animal behavior is something that really interests me, why animals do the things they do and for what reasons. I am excited to expand my knowledge while studying the behavior of sponge decorator crabs under the mentorship of Dr. Cruz-Rivera. 

 Joshua Soll, National Science Foundation Scholar - I am a conservationist, shark advocate, SCUBA diver, outdoor enthusiast, artist, and photographer, among other things. Despite spending most of my life in the state of Georgia, living in Colorado is ironically how I discovered my passion to pursue marine science. I am intensely dedicated to environmental and social justice although the conservation of and advocacy for marine predators are my primary interests. In previous years, I worked for two marine science non-profit organizations, conducting work in fish conservation and reintroduction, microplastic pollution monitoring, public engagement, and marine science education. My native language is English, but I am also fluent in Spanish and enjoy every opportunity to chat with others. My current research at UVI focuses on identifying and classifying whale noise in the USVI and Puerto Rico using uncrewed autonomous underwater gliders in tandem with a low-frequency detection and classification algorithm.

Veronica Williamson, National Science Foundation Scholar - My name is Veronica Williamson. I was born in Amazonas, Brazil and grew up in Louisiana and Florida. Most of my life has been surrounded by water and aquatic life. Being so close and connected to the waters that sustained my communities made me fascinated with aquatic conservation. I received my Bachelors degree at Florida State University with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry and Psychology. After school, I taught Ecology and Chemistry in Mozambique, Africa for a year. I returned home due to COVID, and worked as as a coral restoration intern with Mote Marine Laboratory in the Florida Keys. There, my love for the reef grew and I began to apply to graduate schools to study coral restoration and diseaseIn my spare time I enjoy traveling, diving, kayaking, learning languages, and reading. In the future, I plan to get my PhD to be able to teach and research what I love! 

Jordan Silva - Hey! My name is Jordan Silva and I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I graduated a few years ago with a B.S. double major in Biology and Environmental Science. Since I graduated, I have worked in environmental restoration, natural areas and land management, and in a microbiology lab. Ever since I was a kid, the ocean is where I wanted to be! I love surfing too, so if anyone ever needs a surf buddy, I am always down! Coming from Kentucky, there was not much opportunity to study marine life but, in my undergrad, I went on a trip to Belize and was studying coral diversity among the different reefs. This trip is what made me realize that I wanted to continue my education towards marine science and it was a great way to combine my love and passion for the ocean and career interests. So here I am now following that dream. I am always up to learn something new and offer a helping hand! 

Corinne Johnson - Hi I’m Corinne! I am originally from Arizona but I grew up all over the world. I developed my love for the ocean and turtles when we took a family trip to Greece and I saw sea turtle conservation efforts on the beach. I graduated in 2017 with a double major in biology and sustainability from Arizona State University. While at ASU, I studied the social behaviours of resident hawksbill turtles off the coast of Maui, Hawai’i. During this project, I discovered my passion for behavioural ecology and the conservation impact it can have. At UVI, I will be studying territoriality of juvenile hawksbill turtles and I can’t wait to get started!

Lila Uzzell - Hey, my name is Lila Uzzell and I was born and raised on St. John, Virgin Islands. I received a B.S. in General Biology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2017, where I researched two pitcher plants (Sarracenia) and their hybrids. After completing my degree, I bicycled across the USA and then began working for the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Conservation & Research Department as their Conservation Assistant & Field Biologist. I love working with rare and native plants, but also have a rooted passion for the marine life I was surrounded by growing up. After three years at the Botanical Garden, I returned to St. John in 2020. When not working at my local dive shop, you can find me outdoors hiking, diving, freediving, surfing, or hanging at the beach with friends! I am so excited to be home and become a part of UVI's MMES program. My hopes are to pursue a thesis surrounding coral reef ecology or mangrove ecology.

Laura Palomino - Hi everyone! My name is Laura Palomino, and I am originally from Cali, Colombia. Growing up in Miami, I developed my interest in marine science by snorkeling, scuba diving and sorting through sargassum on the beach. I graduated from the University of Florida (GO GATORS!) with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Marine Science and have been working in the marine conservation field for the past 4 years. I have enjoyed working for several non-profits, Florida Fish and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Biscayne National Park, and the University of Miami. My background in education, coastal ecosystems, and citizen science has led me to pursue a graduate degree with Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes. My research at UVI will be centered on mangrove restoration and community engagement.

Kayla Halliday, National Science Foundation Scholar - Hello all, my name is Kayla Halliday and I was raised here on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. I have recently graduated with my B.S. in Marine Biology in May of 2020 here at the University of the Virgin Islands and I am very excited to be starting the MMES program.  From the time I first learned to snorkel, around the age of 3, I have always been curious and mystified by the ocean and all the creatures that reside there. Over my adolescent and adult years, my passion to protect my home and the waters that surround it grew, which is one of the reasons why I am choosing to further my education. My career goal is to be an ecological consultant here in the Virgin Islands. I am very interested in land/sea interactions and human/sea life interactions. During my time in the MMES program I will be working with Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes on advancing mangrove restoration. My thesis will focus on the bettering out planting for mangrove propagules.

Amanda Badai - Hi my name is Amanda Badai. I am originally from New Jersey, however I have resided in the Florida Keys for the past few years. I graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of New Haven in Connecticut. I completed a thesis where I determined if nematocysts from Aiptasia sp. and Cassiopea sp. could inhibit bacterial growth. After college I interned for Mote Marine Laboratory in their Reef Restoration Program where I gained experience in coral husbandry. I then had animal care experience with parrots and manatees at Miami Seaquarium and learned about their manatee rescue program. After Miami I moved back to the keys to become a Biologist at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters where I gained experience in elasmobranch and tropical fish husbandry. Other specialties there were water quality and animal training and manatee rescue. I look forward to studying and gaining more experience in coral disease and research with the MMES program. 

Andrew McGregor - Hello everyone, my name is Andrew! I grew up in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota and received a B.S. degree in biology with a minor in animal ecology from Iowa State University. My interest in marine sciences came from my undergraduate research experiences at The University of the South Pacific in Fiji and the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Lab. I developed an interest in sea turtles while assisting in a project that studied green and hawksbill turtle foraging behavior around the outer Fijian Islands and have wanted to continue studying these organisms in a graduate program ever since. For my thesis project, I will be working with Dr. Paul Jobsis to study the in-water habitat use and movements of hawksbill sea turtles in Brewers Bay, USVI. 

Naomi Scott - Hello! My name is Naomi Scott and I'm a graduate student in the MMES program at the University of the Virgin Islands. I'm originally from Chicago, IL but I earned my Bachelors degree in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Tampa. I'm interested in renewable energy so my research revolves around the ways renewable energy sources can be used in aquaculture. In collaboration with Dr. Sennai Habtes I hope to  build a portable aquaculture lab that is powered by solar photo voltaic energy and can be used in the field. When I'm not in class I enjoy teaching Science 100 to undergraduate students and researching new innovations in solar energy.