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Jeremiah is an Assistant Professor in Biology at the University of South Alabama. A love of the outdoors and some amazing undergraduate advisors lead Jeremiah down a path to spend a lot of time thinking about species interactions in plant communities and how they shape patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem function. Jeremiah grew up in the midwestern US but escaped the brutal winters! When Jeremiah is not thinking about fungi living in plants, he is probably brewing beer, collecting insects, laying on a beach, or watching some sporting event!
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Dr Angela Google is a Post-Doctoral associate in Discipline-Based Educational Research. Her dissertation work explored how cultural and social factors impacted the academic success of students of color in the context of undergraduate biology. Angela’s goal is to expand this research endeavor to South Alabama by examining how students’ mutually constructed identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, class, STEM) impact their perceptions of their learning environment and illuminate aspects of their learning experience that are useful to the promotion of effective teaching and learning of culturally diverse students. Outside of research, Angela enjoys painting, dancing, and traveling to new places. Angela was born, raised, and educated in Tennessee and looks forward to seeing where the world of educational research will take her next.
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Madison Nelson is a dual masters student in Biology & Education programs from Mobile, AL. When she is not focusing on Biology, she enjoys traveling with friends, reading, and photography. For her graduate work, Madison will be exploring how visible and hidden student identities drive in-class dynamics across Biology courses at South Alabama, Auburn University, Tuskegee University, and CSU Chico. Additionally, she is interested in how role models shape the retention of historically-excluded groups in STEM.
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Emily Newman is back with us as a Masters Student! Emily was born in southeast Texas, but spent most of her time growing up in Guntersville, Alabama. Emily loves water, living close to water her entire life, has definitely influenced her academic interests and hobbies. When she is not studying biology, Emily is likely birding, exploring on the beach, or taking care of her freshwater tanks. Longterm, Emily would like to pursue a career in conservation or science outreach. Emily will be exploring how dune fungal communities respond to disturbance and nutrient addition on Dauphin Island for her thesis.
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Cole Baggett is a senior Biology major with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in Related Science at the University of South Alabama. Cole is from Uriah, AL. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school to earn his masters degree in Marine Biology. Cole would like to pursue a career in Marine Population and Conservation Ecology. Throughout his life, Cole has always had a love for the ocean and all of the organisms that inhabit it. When Cole is not studying or working as a barista, you can find him at the beach or at a new local coffee shop.
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Asia Blanchard is a sophomore biology pre-med major. Asia is from Ocean Springs, Mississippi. When Asia graduates, her plan is to enter the Air Force and go to medical school to become a medical officer. When Asia is study, you can find her playing music instruments, learning languages, and exploring outdoors. In the Henning Lab, Asia is going to be helping out on all sorts of lab projects as she gets her feet underneath her in the lab! |
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Kayla Beitzel is a sophomore biology major, marine science minor from Elmhurst, Illinois. She is much more accustomed to snowy Chicago weather; however, at South, she has taken an interest in double minoring in chemistry, and she is apart of the Jaguar Drumline (she loves football). Her plans after college are to become a shark analyst, an underwater marine photographer, or even work as a researcher at an aquarium! She hopes that her research done here at South will allow her to understand more about organisms on Earth and how they have been impacted by the environment. When she is not studying, you can find Kayla working out, playing sports, long boarding, hiking, hanging out with friends, getting burnt at the beach, or even practicing her film photography skills!
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Maggie Braun is a Biology major from Pensacola Beach, FL. Maggie spent her early years in the land of cheese and brats and sadly still supports that Packers. Maggie's goal is to attend dental school after graduation. When Maggie is not studying: she is surfing at the beach, playing a musical instrument, or out golfing |
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Darrien Caudle is a senior biology major with a marine science minor from Rainbow City, which is found in northeast Alabama (near Gadsden). Since Darrien was young, he has always been drawn to the life that surrounded him, which sprouted his love for biology. His goal after he completes his undergraduate degree is to begin working in a lab and/or pursue a graduate degree in conservation, ecology, biology, or marine sciences. More specifically, coral reef ecology and conservation or a degree that incorporates ecosystems and society, linking the natural world and its importance with humans and their wellbeing. Outside of his studies, he enjoys being with friends, gaming, reading, and exploring and admiring the outdoors. |
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Zachery McMullen is junior studying biology with a minor in art history at the University of South Alabama. Zachery is taking a pre-med path, and is involved with many health organizations on campus. Zachery's goal is to attend the College of Medicine at South, and his dream is to become a plastic surgeon. Zachery's hobbies include biking, hiking, traveling, relaxing with friends, and studying art. Zachery chose biology because enjoy learning how life and the human body works. In the FUNGGii lab, Zachery is working on all sorts of projects however has been gravitating toward working on our identities project. |
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Madison Parfait is a Junior Psychology major with a Spanish, composite science, and related science minor. After she graduates she plans to get her PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus in pediatric neuropsychology. She is originally from Houma, Louisiana, and she loves showing off her Cajun culture and its delicious food. She loves studying and learning new material, but when she has some free time, you can catch her out at the local coffee shop on a coffee date with friends or catching some rays by the pool (when it’s not raining, of course.). Madison will be conducting her Honors' thesis understanding sense of belonging, self-efficacy, and motivation of Women in Biology here at South.
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Kaitlyn Sampson is a senior Marine Biology major from Troy University that is originally from Wetumpka, AL. Kaitlyn comes over to Mobile to hang out with the FUNGGii lab from time to time. After graduation Kaitlyn plans on applying her new found love for botany and conservation into earning a master’s degree in Biology. Kaitlyn has always wanted to become a scientist and she has always had an immense appreciation for the way the world works around her. When Kaitlyn is not working on school work, she is serving/spending time with her sorority, playing basketball, hanging out with my roommate or doing something outdoorsy with her loved ones. |
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Carlos Sankone is a senior biology major, with a minor in geology at the University of South Alabama. He is originally from Atlanta, GA but grew up in Mobile. Working in the lab, he hopes to acquire useful skills that will help him along in graduate school and potentially in his career. Carlos is passionate about wildlife and conservation and wants to learn about how we can help conserve biodiversity amongst the current climate crisis. Once finished with his undergraduate degree, he wants to work towards his master’s in ecology, and eventually a PhD. When he is not studying or working, Carlos enjoys playing disc golf, playing video games, rock climbing, playing tennis, or hanging out with his pet frogs!
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Grace Sekaya is a junior International Studies major at South with a minor in Chemistry and concentration in Global Health. Grace is from Gadsden, AL. Grace's goal is to attend medical school after graduation to obtain a MD/MPH. When Grace is not studying, you can find her either seeking out thrill seeking adventures like white water rafting, zip lining, and skydiving, cozying up with a new & fascinating read, or hanging out with her friends. In the FUNGGii lab, Grace is working on understanding how student identities shapes the student experience at South Alabama and is also the incoming SGA President :). |
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Nathan Valentine is a Biomedical Science (BMD) Honors College major originally from Fairhope Alabama. He loves sailing, road tripping, and volunteering at University Hospital. Nathan is fresh to the lab, but is diving into the fungal world and will be exploring mycorrhizal fungi along elevational gradients! He is very excited to learn more about mycorrhizae. |
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Sydney Wilson was born and raised in Middletown, Delaware but moved to Fairhope, Alabama 2 years ago. Sydney is heavily in the arts and enjoys musical theatre, talent shows, and art contests. With the appreciation for art, it grew into an appreciation for the environment. Sydney has always had a fascination with botany from a young age and she hopes to pursue a career that brings all of her interest into play.
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HEnning lab alum
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Summer Hancock was born and raised in Mobile, AL. She is finally a senior biology major and marine science minor at South Alabama. Summer wants to have a career in rehabilitating marine animals and conducting research and conservation. Summer's dream is to be able to swim with humpback whales in the wild and travel the world. Summer has been lucky enough to be able to travel to a lot of different places and tries to explore something new every chance I get. If Summer isn't exploring or or doing school work, she is likely at the beach with her dog Memphis, working on a puzzle, and finding her next adrenaline fix.
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Parker McGee is a senior chemistry major with a drama minor. He originally hails from Killen, Alabama and hopes to continue his education in the field of Food Science. Stemming from a childhood dream of becoming a professional chef, Parker is now interested in studying what exactly makes food products taste the way they do, as well as brewing and distilling industry. He is currently working to complete his senior Honors College thesis on the effect of temperature on fermentation of beer. Outside of school, he enjoys cooking/baking, attending wine tastings, hiking, and playing Animal Crossing. |
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William Sterrett is a Masters student in the Henning lab. William is originally from Saucier, MS but lives in Mobile for much of the year to attend USA and graduated with his B.S. in Biology from USA in December of 2019. William has many recreational interests ranging from reading and tabletop gaming to hiking, camping, and various other outdoor activities. These various outdoor activities led William to take an interest in wetlands and wetland science. William is going to be exploring how wetland plants’ microbial associations affect their resistance to pathogens and hopes to become a professional wetland scientist.
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Carolien Millenaar was born in The Netherlands, raised in Denmark and is now a senior Biology major with a minor in German at USA. She dreams about becoming an Environmental Engineer whilst continuing her current interests such as going on adventures, doing creative DIY projects and of course, running in circles around the track or on the cross-country course. Carolien will be monitoring invasive apple snail populations in Langan Park in collaboration with Mobile Bay National Estuarine Program.
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Leslie Glass is a senior biology major and a marine science minor that grew up in a small town in southeastern Alabama (Pansey). Leslie's goal is to pursue a higher degree in: zoology, wildlife ecology and conservation, oceanography, geological sciences, animal behavior, or marine sciences. Leslie loves to draw, travel, and learn new things about the world and the people around her. When Leslie's not studying, you can find her on Dauphin Island looking for little treasures on the beach and observing the wildlife, chilling with her friends, or Facetiming her family back home.
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Chelsea Thornton is a senior Biology major, Marine Sciences Minor originally from Biloxi, MS. Growing up on the coast sparked Chelsea's interest in the beach and aquatic life early in her life, and seeing the effects of climate change firsthand further drives her to save the ocean and our coasts. When Chelsea graduates, she wants to either get her feet wet (literally) and begin working in a local lab, or go to grad school to specialize in the conservation of coral reef systems. When she's not studying or slinging pizzas, she loves painting, needle point, going to the beach, and spending time with her family.
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Emily Carter is a senior Biology major at South with a minor in Composite Science. Emily is from the Mississippi Gulf Coast so she loves going to the beach and swimming. When she is not studying biology, Emily is likely walking her dog Bella or binge watching Netflix. Emily is interested in pursuing a career in animal behavior, zoology, wildlife rehabilitation, or marine mammal studies. |
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Polly Straughn was born and raised in Mobile, AL. she is a senior at USA studying Biology with a concentration in Marine Biology and a minor in mathematics. Her goal is to be a SCUBA Divemaster, traveling the world for a few years after graduation before pursuing a career in research, specifically shark conservation research. She is also interested in the effects of microplastic pollutants in our marine ecosystems. When she's not participating in research projects or marine related volunteer work, she likes to spend her days relaxing on a beach listening to music, hanging with her dog Ollie, and spending quality time with her family and friends (especially her niece).
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Kaylin Bruening is a senior Geography major with a minor in Marine Sciences from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Her ultimate goal is to end up doing something related to conservation, as she greatly enjoys volunteering my time to bird population surveying, marine mammal strandings, cleanups, and invasive species removals. In my free time, I am out photographing and observing nature, kayaking, and traveling! Kaylin is going to be monitoring invasive apple snail populations in Langan Park in collaboration with Mobile Bay National Estuarine Program. |
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Ayana Cunningham is a senior Biology major from Huntsville, AL. When Ayana is not studying, she enjoys hanging out with friends, dancing, and photography. Ayana is interested in Biology STEM education is going to be working to grow the educational arm of our lab group.
Jada Gildersleeve is a senior Biology major and Composite Science minor from Mobile, AL. Outside of science, Jada loves to bake and read. This semester, Jada will be exploring microbial communities living inside pitcher plants, with the hopes to develop pitcher plant communities to test basic questions about meta-communities and dispersal of microbial communities across pitchers.
Madison Smith is a Biology & International Studies major from Mobile. Madison is fluent in Korean and is head for a study abroad next school year! Madison is super into insects and is hopefully going to be doing some insect community work in some of our dune experiments!!!
My name is Logan Turner i was born in Texas but live in New Orleans. I'm passionate about volleyball and the environment. Specifically biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems. I'm currently majoring in biology with a concentration in environmental science. Logan is going to exploring the mycorrhizal fungi that are living in dune ecosystems around the gulf coast!