Professional Bio:
I am a MS student in the Byers Lab at the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia. My research focuses on disturbance ecology, invasion ecology, and predator-prey dynamics in coastal ecosystems. Most of my research takes me into saltmarshes, mudflats, and tidal creeks where I focus on the marine invertebrates that live in the intertidal and subtidal areas.
I started my journey into ecological research during my undergraduate studies at Rowan University. At Rowan I worked on projects focused on zooplankton community composition and cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in freshwater reservoirs. During this time I also worked on a study to model how changing bird populations would alter what we here in natural habitats.
About Me
Personal Background
Growing up in South Jersey I learned to appreciate and admire the outdoors. I lived surrounded by farms, the Pine Barrens, and my favorite: the Delaware Bay and the habitats surrounding it. Spending countless hours on the bay and at the Jersey Shore I grew a fascination with coastal systems; the mechanisms that control them and the life it supports. These experiences gave me a clear goal for the systems that I wanted to work in and work to understand better.
During my time as a grad student I've prioritized working with undergraduate students to provide them with research experiences not available to many, working to better the graduate student experience by my peers by serving on select committees in service to graduate students, and fostering a welcoming and supportive environment to members of the community.
As a Black, Native American, First Gen, and gay man in marine ecology I strive to make sure my research is accessible and I am inclusive to people from all backgrounds!
Research Interests:
As a coastal ecologist, I use a combination of observation studies, manipulative field experiments, and lab experiments to study the effect of physical factors on predator-prey interactions in marine invertebrates (crabs and snails)! Areas of specific interests to me include:
How does a range-expanding ecosystem engineer alter ecological interactions in it's expanded range?
Using burrowing studies to compare burrow morphology across native and the non-native fiddler crab species, stable isotope analysis to compare the diets of fiddler crabs and their predators, and prey-choice and no-choice experiments I've been working to understand the ecology of a range-expanding fiddler crab species (Leptuca thayeri) into Georgia saltmarshes from Florida. The goal of this work is to understand, not just how the mangrove fiddler is interacting with the ecology of it's novel environment, but how other climate-driven range-expanding species have come to interact with and make home in new locations.
How does a common, localized marsh disturbance effect the underlying plant and marine invertebrate community when scaled-up to the landscape?
As part of a project funded by the NSF Long Term Ecological Research program at the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems site I worked on the field team working to understand the long-term effects of wrack on marsh biota. From this work I led a study using drone-derived wrack area information and field monitored data on plant and invertebrate densities to scale-up the effect of wrack when scaled from the meter-scale to landscape-scale.
What physical factors effect the survival of saltmarsh prey species from marine predators?
Physical factors like tide height, inundation time, salinity, and temperature have controlling pressures on marsh biota that effect the density, location, and physical traits of these organisms. To better understand how physical factors can effect the survival of a common saltmarsh prey item (marsh periwinkle snail Litorarria irrorata) I performed a predation assay across differing creekbank morphologies (erosional and depositional). To follow-up on the findings of this study I performed four experiments to understand the strength of elevation, inundation time, vegetation presence, and height on snail survival.
Outreach & Teaching
I've enjoyed teaching courses in traditional class and lab settings, but my favorite teaching experiences have always been in the field. Whether I'm mentoring students working directly with me on my research or leading a marsh walk for a field course I love seeing the intrigue on the students' faces and hearing their questions and observations about the surrounding habitat. As I continue my career in science I plan to continue my educational and outreach work with the general public and students alike!
Outreach & Service
NSF Growing Rowan’s Environmental Education Network in Southern New Jersey
GREEN-SJ Graduate Student Mentor: October 2022-August 2024
The NSF funded GREEN-SJ program aims to help underrepresented minority students in southern NJ who are interested in careers in environmental science and ecology. I help create informational text for high schoolers interested in environmental science and ecological fields and degree programs at Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland and Rowan University. I also serve as a mentor to students currently in the GREEN-SJ program and hold sessions and workshops focused on professional development, graduate school preparedness, and possible career opportunities there are in the fields of environmental science and ecology.
Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER:
Graduate Student Representative: August 2022-August 2024
I attend the GCE Executive Committee and LTER Graduate Student Committee meetings to represent the graduate students affiliated with the GCE site. I also disseminate relevant information to graduate students at the site. Over the summer I coordinate the Sapelo Summer Seminars by contacting visiting researchers to give seminars that are open to the entire island community.
Odum School of Ecology Graduate Student Organization Appointments
Odum Lecturer Search Committee Grad Rep: January 2023-March 2023
I participated in group interviews of the two candidates for the lecturer position in marine mammals and ichtyology at the Odum School of Ecology. Additionally, I setup a group meeting between the candadites and current graduate students.
Graduate Program Committee Co-Rep: June 2023-August 2025
I attend GPC meetings as a graduate student representative. At these meetings I act as the graduate student advocate for decisions that directly effect the graduate student body of the Odum School of Ecology. In this position I have advocated for increasing graduate student salaries and informed discussions regarding mentorship of graduate students.
Co-President: August 2022-May 2023
I coordinate and lead graduate student organization meetings, attend faculty meetings, disseminate relevant information to graduate student committee representatives, and work to answer questions and provide support to all Odum graduate students.
Prospective Student Committee: October 2021-January 2022
Prospective Student Committee: October 2022-January 2023
Prospective Student Committee: October 2023-January 2024
Prospective Student Committee: October 2024-January 2025
Participated in the planning of activities and schedules for visiting prospective graduate students. Worked with the graduate advisor and graduate coordinator to prepare recruitment event.
Athens-Clarke County Water Festival Community Volunteer
University of Georgia Department of Marine Science: September 11, 2021
I organized a touch-tank with marine organisms native to the Georgia coast and educated visitors about the marine organisms that were on display and why protecting the health of the ocean was important.
Teaching Experience
Laboratory Instructor: Ecological Basis of Environmental Issues Lab Fall 2021
Laboratory Instructor: Ecology Lab Spring 2022, Fall 2022
Guest Field Lecture: IFP Salt marsh zonation Summer 2022, Summer 2025
Guest Lecture: Ecosystems of the World- Soft Sediment Communities Spring 2025
Photo Gallery
During my time on the coast of Georgia I have been able to capture stunning photos of the landscapes that surrounded me. To see some of the great views of the Sapelo Island landscapes click the picture!
Getting to experience the animals at and around my field sites has been a highlight of my fieldwork! To see more of the critters I've worked with and around click the mud crab (Eurytium limosum).
Most of my work has had me setup field experiments in mudflats, oyster reefs, and salt marshes! Using tank experiments and microcosms has helped strengthen my fieldwork in lab settings too! Check out some of my experimental setups and fieldwork pictures by clicking the marsh organ.