The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) has awarded grants to support six students conducting summer research as well as one faculty research effort through its Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe Scholars program. Projects this year will explore issues including the economic and real estate impacts of climate change in coastal New Jersey communities, biodiversity in state ecosystems, and seabed mining in a sacred Indigenous area.
Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe Scholars grants support students and faculty mentors of all disciplines to work on research projects of their own design that advance the UCI’s mission and Monmouth’s strategic plan. Each year, the program supports several paid positions that provide hands-on, real-world research experience for students while helping make a positive impact in coastal communities.
Student Summer Research Projects
Assessing the Impacts of Sea-Level Rise along the N.J. Coastline: A Look at Atlantic City
Student Researcher & Major: Sophia Ianno, political science
Faculty Mentor: Professor Kevin Dooley, Department of Political Science and Sociology
This project will examine a range of environmental exposure variables and socioeconomic vulnerability values to determine how sea level rise impacts low-income communities along the New Jersey coastline, with a focus on Atlantic City.
The Economic Impact of Flood Risk in Monmouth County
Student Researcher & Major: Noah Wilson, business administration with a concentration in economics and finance
Faculty Mentor: McMullen Family Professor in Economics Tjeerd Boonman, Department of Economics, Finance, and Real Estate
Combining data from multiple sources, the project will analyze how the residential real estate market in Monmouth County is affected by flood risk and what socioeconomic factors play a role.
eDNA Comparative Analysis of Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone Biodiversity
Student Researcher & Major: Lillian Cole, marine and environmental biology and policy
Faculty Mentors: Endowed Professor of Marine Science Jason Adolf, Department of Biology/Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy Program; UCI Resilience and Outreach Project Lead Richard Kane
Building upon ongoing biodiversity research by Save Barnegat Bay, the student will complement the organization’s manual sampling work in the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone with environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling. The results of both methods will be compared and studied to inform potential future monitoring plans. (This project is also supported by Save Barnegat Bay and a federal grant secured by Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.)
Impacts of Terrestrial Isopod Invasions on Detritivore Diversity Across Coastal Land-Use Gradients
Student Researcher & Major: Kylie Feeney and Mia Stapleton, marine and environmental biology and policy
Faculty Mentor: Adjunct Professor Kelly Zimmerman and Professor Pedram Daneshgar, Department of Biology/Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy Program
This study will examine how non-native, terrestrial isopods (woodlice) influence coastal habitats in New Jersey.
Mining Moana: Marine Mineral Extraction in Tonga
Student Researcher & Major: Amelia Benol, anthropology
Faculty Mentor: Rechnitz Family/UCI Endowed Chair in Marine and Environmental Law and Policy Peter Jacques, Department of Political Science and Sociology
The government of Tonga has entered into an agreement with a private company to mine the deep seabed in the Clarion Clipperton zone, an area some contend is sacred in the island’s culture and should be left undisturbed. This project will produce a sustainable policy framework that provides analytical clarity for transparent decision-making that considers the economic, social, and ecological concerns and impacts.
Faculty Enrichment Grant
An Archaeological Investigation into Oyster Exploitation in New Jersey and Delaware from the Late 17th to 20th Centuries
Faculty Researcher: Associate Professor Adam Heinrich, Department of History and Anthropology
The research aims to assess how humans impacted local oyster resources throughout this time period, as well as if characteristics of historic shell samples at regional repositories reflect strategies taken to maintain economic productivity throughout various periods of exploitation.
Additional Funding Opportunities
Monmouth University students and faculty are invited to apply now for additional summer and fall Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe Scholars funding opportunities. Grants available include:
- Faculty Enrichment Grants for the enhancement of existing curriculum, new curriculum development, research and scholarship, and team-teaching opportunities. Proposals for fall grants will be accepted through Aug. 21.
- Mini-Grants are also available to faculty and students for conference fees, symposia, guest speaker honoraria, equipment and supplies, and other needs to be determined on a case-by-case-basis. Applications can be submitted at any time and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Those interested can find more information and application requirements via the UCI Funding Opportunities page on the MyMU Portal (Monmouth University sign-in credentials required). For more information, contact UCI Acting Director Tom Herrington at therring@monmouth.edu.
These opportunities have been made possible through the generous support of many corporate and private donors. If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift to the UCI, please use our Give a Gift Now form.