The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) has been awarded a Diversity Innovation Grant from the Office of the Provost and Intercultural Center to partner with the School of Social Work (SSW) in establishing a campus learning community focused on environmental justice, coastal climate resilience, and inclusive community engagement. 

The initiative will provide opportunities for students, faculty, and community partners to engage in conversations about the intersection of environmental change, social inequity, and lived experiences. Programming will include events such as climate cafes, trainings, policy roundtables, and community activities that engage students and faculty members of all disciplines.

The project will also provide mentorship experiences for SSW graduate students working as fellows under the guidance of UCI Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist Rachel Forbes, a 2011 graduate of Monmouth’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Forbes said the project will give students a better understanding of the human dimensions that problems like sea level rise, chronic flooding, and more intense coastal storms carry in Jersey Shore communities.

“Climate impacts are not experienced equally,” Forbes said. “Factors such as income, race and ethnicity, housing, disability, health, and access to resources shape both exposure to environmental risks and the resources communities have available to respond.”

The DIG program provides support each year for projects that encourage understanding and learning, invest in relationship-building across differences, and offer new ways to promote equity and diversity to achieve an inclusive campus culture. The UCI will match the $10,000 DIG grant to support project components including:

• Student Fellowships: SSW graduate students Darryl Speights and Noah Gradl (see bios below) will receive stipends to coordinate and facilitate the programming delivered through the project.
• DIG Program Academic Support Coordinator: Jasmira Colon, a 2022 Monmouth University MSW graduate with experience engaging low-income and diverse communities on resilience issues (see bio below), will assist with the project’s implementation.
• Community Engagement: A series of educational events and dialogue sessions will be organized, with strategies for fostering participation among historically marginalized and underrepresented communities.
• Educational Products: Communications materials and a publicly accessible toolkit will be developed to promote awareness of the project and serve as a resource for future efforts.

“This initiative will serve as a forum for students to connect with the diverse experiences, knowledge, and priorities of communities surrounding Monmouth,” said Professor Anne Deepak, Doctor of Social Work in Human Rights Leadership (DSW) program director. “Addressing the social and economic challenges of climate change requires collaborative approaches that bridge disciplines and promote meaningful dialogue across diverse perspectives.”

The project will take place throughout the 2026-27 academic year. Students with questions may contact Forbes at rforbes@monmouth.edu. 

Student Fellows

DIG Program Academic Support Coordinator

Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) Acting Director Tom Herrington was presented with the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association’s (ASBPA) 2026 Morrough P. O’Brien Award during its National Coastal Conference Centennial Celebration in Atlantic City on Oct. 7. The award is the highest honor given annually to an individual on the basis of an outstanding record in achieving the objectives and ideals of ASBPA, and for major direct contributions to the association.

In a letter informing Herrington of his nomination, the organization credited him with expanding opportunities for students to collaborate with the ASBPA and participate in its activities. As a member of the ASBPA Board of Directors, he was also commended for helping shape discussions and initiatives on critical issues including coastal storm impacts, sea-level rise, climate adaptation, and sustainable shoreline management.

“His contributions are remarkable: decades of leadership in coastal science and engineering, more than 75 publications, vital work in hazard mitigation and climate adaptation, and an enduring record of service to ASBPA,” Executive Director Nicole Elko said during the award ceremony. “In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and countless efforts before and since, Tom has been a clear, credible, and compassionate voice – one who understands that protecting our shores also means protecting homes, livelihoods, ecosystems, and the character of the places we love.”

Before accepting the award, Herrington reflected on the honor of being associated with O’Brien, a University of California, Berkeley College of Engineering dean from 1943-59 who he acknowledged as “the founder of modern coastal engineering.”

“One of my greatest joys is to watch our students graduate and go on to meaningful, productive professional careers,” Herrington said. “I’d like to think that in some little way, I continue Dean O’Brien’s tradition of pairing great researchers and great students to achieve great things.”

Elko recently interviewed Herrington about his career and the state of coastal resilience in New Jersey on the ASBPA’s “Shaping Shores” podcast. In 2016, Herrington also received the ASBPA Robert G. Dean Coastal Academic Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to coastal research, education, and service.

Herrington moderated a panel at the ASBPA conference and delivered a presentation on nature-based solutions for marsh restoration in Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor. Also at the event, UCI Meredith Comi presented on her work creating and researching an oyster reef at Naval Weapons Station Earle and UCI Senior Ocean Policy Fellow Tony MacDonald moderated a panel discussion on coastal zone management issues in the region.

Endowed Professor of Marine Science Jason Adolf’s marine biology lab students returned Sept. 30 to a beach where they previously studied the abundance of mole crabs to see if the recent nor’easter and shoreline erosion impacted their populations. Although the data is still being analyzed, the class concluded that their numbers were reduced.

Also known as sand crabs, Atlantic mole crabs (Emerita talpoida) are widespread on Jersey Shore beaches, collected by children in their buckets and used by recreational anglers as bait. Watch the video above for a look at the class conducting its work and hear why Adolf believes mole crabs make for an interesting research subject.

The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) is seeking volunteers for its fall eDNA BioBlitz, which aims to use genetic material left in the water by marine vertebrates to learn about their biodiversity and community composition in Monmouth County waters. Participation is easy, requires no training, and only takes a few minutes.

Participating community scientists will collect samples of ocean waters, bays, and brackish areas of rivers from the Manasquan Inlet to the Raritan Bayshore between Oct. 5-16. Sampling involves filling a bottle with the water, placing it on ice, and freezing it until it can be collected by Monmouth researchers. Bottles and coolers will be provided by the UCI. Volunteers can choose any site they’d like to sample and only need to collect one sample for the study.

The samples will then be analyzed in a lab for eDNA, trace genetic materials floating in the water that can indicate the recent presence of marine life ranging from sharks to microscopic bacteria. The data will build upon a collection effort that began last year, which found detections for at least 79 fish species in June and 68 species in September 2025 in the county’s ocean and estuarine waters. The new data will help develop a baseline understanding of the species living in our waters in the warmer summer months that can be compared to future results.

Participants and others interested are also encouraged come to Monmouth on Dec. 3 for a workshop where the results of the findings will be presented. Food and refreshments will be served.

To volunteer or learn more, contact UCI Resilience and Outreach Project Lead Richard Kane at rkane@monmouth.edu with your name, preferred contact information, availability to pick up an eDNA sampling kit, and availability to sample during the Oct. 5-16 period. 

Since the project seeks to cover a geographic balance of areas across the Monmouth County coast, the project team may decline proposals to sample sites that are already covered.

Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute Acting Director Tom Herrington was the featured guest on the Sept. 16 edition of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association’s (ASBPA) “Shaping Shores” podcast. Herrington discussed New Jersey’s longstanding support for coastal projects; how Hurricane Sandy impacted coastal science, policy, and communities; and evolutions in technology today and for the next generation.

Launched as part of the ASBPA’s Centennial Celebration, the series brings to life the stories that drive ASBPA’s mission to preserve, protect, and enhance our nation’s beaches and shores by merging science and public policy. It is hosted by ASBPA Executive Director Nicole Elko.

Herrington also contributed an article to the organization’s “A Decadal Walk to ASBPA’s Future” series summarizing the history of the ASBPA and coastal policy. Herrington’s piece covered 1995-2005, an era when “Strategic advocacy, organizational innovation, and technical advancement converged to secure the future of America’s coasts and elevate ASBPA as a leading voice for shoreline protection.”

The ASBPA will hold its National Coastal Conference Centennial Celebration from Oct. 5-8 in Atlantic City.

The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) joined the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), federal, state, municipal and county officials, community organizations, and local residents for a Shark River Basin resilience tour on Aug. 24.

The tour, which coincided with New Jersey Flood Safety Week, unofficially kicked off work on a regional climate resilience study for the estuary that the UCI will contribute to as a project partner. This effort is part of Building a Climate Ready NJ, a resilience initiative of the NJDEP funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“The science is clear: Sea level is rising, and will continue to do so into the future,” UCI Acting Director Tom Herrington said in opening remarks at Maclearie Park in Belmar. “Heavy rainfall is becoming more frequent and is projected to increase in the future. Nowhere are these two impacts more threatening than right here at the Jersey Shore. That is why Monmouth University feels it is so important to work with our partners and communities and bring the resources of the university, its faculty and students to help build community and ecosystem resilience to the growing threat of coastal and inland flooding.”

The tour included stops at sites where natural and nature-based resilience projects had been completed or were underway throughout the watershed. Attendees first gathered at Maclearie Park, where Belmar Mayor Caitlyn Donovan highlighted recent upgrades along the borough’s bayshore and future priorities for the area.

The group then proceeded to the South Riverside Living Shoreline in Neptune Township. There, American Littoral Society staff led a presentation on how raised dunes, plantings, and other measures had stabilized the waterfront, provided ecosystem benefits, and now offer flood protections for the roadway and neighborhood behind it.

The trip concluded at Memorial Park in Neptune City, where Wall Mayor Erin Mangan, Avon-by-the-Sea Mayor Mayor Ed Bonanno, Shark River Cleanup Coalition members Bill and Arlene Sciarappa, and Monmouth County Commissioner Erik Anderson discussed steps that could be taken to make the Shark River Bay healthier and stronger in the face of climate threats.

The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) has awarded Jenna Jackson a MacDonald Family UCI Endowed Scholarship for the 2026-27 school year. In addition, the UCI renewed endowed scholarships for three outstanding Monmouth students: Chiara Cocoziello (Rita Mangan UCI Endowed Scholarship), and Maggie Raymond and Morgan Davis (Ann and Alfred Ferguson ’13HN Scholarships). All four are marine and environmental biology and policy (MEBP) students. 

The UCI established endowed scholarships at Monmouth to support undergraduate students with a demonstrated interest in coastal, marine, and environmental studies. The scholarships are intended to encourage Monmouth students to become active, global citizens while fostering an understanding of the coastal and marine environment and communities, legal studies, public policy, and research methods.

Meet Jackson in our Q&A below. Click here to view profiles of last year’s recipients.

What drew you to Monmouth University?

Not only was the MEBP program appealing but the small class sizes and location played a significant role in choosing Monmouth University. As a first-generation student, a smaller school was ideal for me and less stressful, and the location was something familiar to me already but also provided the changes I needed to branch out of my comfort zone. The small class sizes allow for professors and students to form a more personal relationship as well as allow for opportunities to arise that help with your future professional career.

You recently served as an intern with the Arctic Defense Campaign, with a focus on campaigning against fossil fuel extraction in the Alaska Wildlife Refuge. What should people living in our region know about that issue?

People in our region should know that the conservation of areas like the Alaska Wildlife Refuge is important because, for example, many migratory birds from New Jersey will travel to that refuge when summer comes. It is also important to know overall that your voice in local government is important and can influence certain issues including opening up the Arctic Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling.  

What are your plans after graduating Monmouth?

After Monmouth I am planning to attend graduate school to get my master’s degree and potentially pursue a Ph.D. I would ideally like a job in the field of conservation as well as volunteer for more nonprofit organizations similar to my internship.

What does earning the MacDonald Family UCI Endowed Scholarship mean to you?

This scholarship is a great honor to receive, and I feel very lucky and cannot thank the UCI enough for this scholarship. Obviously, the financial aspect is extremely helpful, granted I am a full-time student. I have a job, however academics take up most of my time, so this is incredibly helpful.

Where is your favorite beach or coastal spot on the Jersey Shore and why?

My favorite beach spot has to be Asbury Park because I love all the restaurants and stores nearby that I can easily walk to and I love the people there. I am a big fan of music so seeing things such as the Stone Pony and learning all the history of musicians from Jersey is super interesting to me.

Bathers and surfers can now check the Blue Water Task Force web app for water quality readings before heading to their favorite Monmouth County beaches. Samples are gathered at local beaches every Thursday by Surfrider Foundation volunteers and lab tested by researchers at Monmouth University, with results typically posted after 10 a.m. on Fridays.

Users can click the points on the map for pop-ups reporting whether enterococcus bacteria levels were low, moderate, or high according to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) standards. Beachgoers may also visit NJBeaches.org for the results of NJDEP testing conducted on Mondays.

Monmouth recently became New Jersey’s first partner in Surfrider’s Blue Water Task Force, a nationwide network dedicated to monitoring water quality at public beaches year-round. Through the agreement, Monmouth has filled an important gap in the Task Force’s East Coast coverage and augmented the state’s ocean quality monitoring efforts, which are limited only to the summer season.

To learn how you can become involved, email the Surfrider Foundation Jersey Shore Chapter at bwtf@jerseyshore.surfrider.org.

Students shared key takeaways and lessons learned from two dozen projects at the Monmouth University School of Science’s 2026 Summer Research Program Symposium, held Aug. 6 at the University’s Erlanger Garden. The annual poster session caps off a 12-week research experience for School of Science students working with faculty mentors on collaborative research projects.

Scroll below to watch students present some of this year’s Urban Coast Institute-supported projects. Click here to view a list of all of this year’s Summer Research Program projects and their abstracts.

Nourished But Delayed: Evaluating Recruitment Pulses of the Atlantic Mole Crab and Sediment Gradients on an Engineered Beach

Student and Major: Jessica Kipnis, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy

Faculty Mentor: Endowed Professor of Marine Science Jason Adolf, Department of Biology/Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy Program

Abstract: Beach nourishment is a widespread engineering strategy used to combat shoreline erosion, yet its ecological ramifications on sandy beach macrofauna remain poorly understood. This study evaluates the impacts of coastal engineering by comparing population dynamics of the Atlantic mole crab (Emerita talpoida) and environmental context between an engineered beach (Deal) and a natural baseline control (Sandy Hook). Sampling took place during a structured seasonal window of summer 2026, where we measured and quantified sediment samples and crab abundance. Using a multivariate statistical framework, we tracked abundance across three ontogenetic cohorts, alongside sediment moisture and grain size class sorting. Granulometric analysis revealed a stark physical contrast between sites, with Deal having a significantly higher relative proportion of fine sand (< 0.25 mm) and higher sediment moisture, while Sandy Hook had a much higher proportion of coarser sand (0.5–8 mm) correlating with less moisture retention. While mole crab abundance did not differ significantly between sites, generalized linear mixed modeling (GLMM) found littoral microhabitat and size class as primary structural drivers, alongside significant lunar phase synchronization. Temporal tracking revealed a diverging shift between the two sites rather than a permanent population suppression. The natural baseline experienced a localized recruitment pulse in mid-June, while the engineered system showed a delayed intermediate pulse in mid-July. These findings suggest that engineered beach modifications can disrupt macrofaunal settlement timelines by altering grain size sorting which in turn disrupts microhabitat hydrology, emphasizing the need for temporal coordination in coastal management frameworks.

Weekly Changes in Plankton Communities and Water Color in Deal Lake, New Jersey

Student and Major: Zoe Thompson, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy

Faculty Mentor: Endowed Professor of Marine Science Jason Adolf, Department of Biology/Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy Program

Abstract: Coastal lakes are valuable for both wildlife and recreation, but their water quality can change when plankton communities shift, especially if harmful cyanobacteria are present. In this study, we tracked weekly changes in plankton at three sites in Deal Lake, New Jersey: Norwood Avenue, State Street, and Sunset Avenue. We also examined whether the color of water could help predict which cyanobacteria were most common. Each week during summer 2026, we collected samples and measured water temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, cyanofluorescence, and water color. We preserved the samples with Lugol’s iodine and used a microscope to identify the plankton and estimate the abundance of each genus. To analyze water color, we used the CIELAB system, which measures lightness (L*), green-to-red (a*), and blue-to-yellow (b*) values of water collected in white buckets. Our results showed that plankton communities changed over time and between locations. Based on microscopic counts, zooplankton made up about 47% of the community during the first two weeks. Following a major rainstorm, phytoplankton increased to about 65% on July 7. We also found significant relationships between water color and dominant cyanobacteria. Dolichospermum was negatively related to bucket L* (r = −0.47) and bucket a* (r = −0.70). Chroococcus was negatively related to surface L* (r = −0.48) but positively related to surface a* (r = 0.54). Woronichinia was positively related to bucket a* (r = 0.46). The phytoplankton increase following the rainstorm may have resulted from nutrients carried into the lake by runoff. These findings show that Deal Lake’s plankton community can shift quickly after weather events. They also suggest that characterizing water color could provide a simple, low-cost method for detecting changes in cyanobacteria and monitoring possible blooms.

Comparing Post-Rainfall Enterococcus faecalis Concentrations Between Bayside and Ocean-Side Waters at Sandy Hook, New Jersey

Student and Major: Tyler Pylarinos, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy

Faculty Mentors: Endowed Professor of Marine Science Jason Adolf and Elizabeth Clark, Department of Biology/Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy Program

Abstract: Enterococcus spp. are highly resilient enteric bacteria that are routinely used as environmental indicators of fecal contamination in coastal waters, rivers, and lakes. Fecal contamination is a concern for public safety, prompting the monitoring of Enterococcus to protect public health. Elevated concentrations may indicate the presence of waterborne pathogens. Rainfall can increase the concentration of fecal indicator bacteria in recreational waters by carrying stormwater runoff, animal waste, and other contaminants into coastal environments. This study will compare Enterococcus concentrations between bayside and oceanside sampling locations at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, approximately twelve hours after rainfall. This comparison is important because bayside and oceanside waters differ in circulation and mixing, which may influence how long fecal contamination remains concentrated after rainfall. Identifying these differences can help determine whether certain recreational areas may experience greater contamination and potential public-health risks. Water samples were collected from three bayside stations and three oceanside stations. The water samples will be tested using two different laboratory methods to detect and measure Enterococcus bacteria, the IDEXX Enterolert assay and a qPCR assay, allowing the results from each method to be compared. We hypothesize that bayside locations will contain higher Enterococcus concentrations than oceanside locations because the bay has less wave action and water circulation, potentially allowing bacteria introduced by runoff to remain concentrated for longer periods. The results will be compared between the two environments to determine whether sampling location is associated with Enterococcus concentration following rainfall. This research may help identify areas with a greater risk of fecal contamination and improve understanding of how rainfall affects recreational water quality at Sandy Hook.

Impact of a Heavy Rainfall Event on Phytoplankton and Zooplankton in Deal Lake, NJ

Student and Major: Nevo Ein-Dor Truong, Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy

Faculty Mentor: Endowed Professor of Marine Science Jason Adolf, Department of Biology/Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy Program

Abstract: Coastal lakes such as Deal Lake in New Jersey are important habitats for wildlife and support a range of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, and birdwatching. These shallow, often brackish or freshwater systems sit close to the ocean and are shaped by both marine and terrestrial influences, making them ecologically distinct and sensitive to change. In this study, we observed the water quality in these lakes to see a shift following heavy rainfall. Storms increase surface runoff from surrounding urban and suburban areas, carrying nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus directly into the lake, which also flushes into the ocean. This nutrient intake, combined with sediment, road salt, and other pollutants, can trigger changes in water chemistry, including drops in salinity, turbidity, fluorescence, and dissolved oxygen. These changes directly affect the microorganisms on how they interact with one another and changes in abundance on certain species from zooplankton like rotifers, and crustacean larvae, to phytoplankton like Dolichospermum and Desmodesmus. By collecting samples in Deal Lake from three different streets called Norwood Avenue, Sunset Avenue, and Main Street, we were able to observe changes in three distinct spots of the lake. Measurements such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and cyanofluorescence were all recorded. Samples that were taken were preserved with Lugol’s iodine and was then studied under the microscope for identification of different species of cyanobacteria and zooplankton. By using the Shannon Indices Method, cells were counted within 1×1 mm squares (Sedgewick-Rafter Chamber) to determine prominent taxa. Throughout this study, a decrease in cyanofluorescence and a change in taxa was observed following the heavy rainfall event. Zooplankton decreased as other plankton like Desmodesmus, and Dolichospermum, and zygospores were more abundant. These results help us understand better how this microscopic ecosystem is ever changing so rapidly with the sudden occurrence of a single storm in Deal Lake.

A study by Rechnitz Family/Urban Coast Institute (UCI) Endowed Chair in Marine and Environmental Law and Policy Peter Jacques and Monmouth University student Audrey Copeland concludes that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) gives far greater attention to economic growth than environmental sustainability in its official communications, despite its stated commitment to balancing economic, social and environmental priorities. In a paper published in the journal Sustainable Development, Jacques and Copeland argue that if the priorities conveyed in the documents were to reflect CARICOM member nations’ actual policies, the imbalance could undermine the long-term resilience of economies that are heavily dependent on healthy marine ecosystems and natural resources.

The Caribbean is highly vulnerable to climate change, with rising sea temperatures, coral reef decline, stronger hurricanes, sea-level rise and fisheries disruptions all threatening both the environment and key economic sectors such as tourism and fishing. CARICOM, which currently includes 15 member nations and eight associate members, has pledged to “mainstream” sustainable development across all of its policies, recognizing that the region’s future depends on protecting both its people and its natural resources.

To evaluate whether the organization’s public priorities match its stated mission, Jacques and Copeland analyzed CARICOM annual reports and records of decisions from 2013-2025. Using quantitative content analysis, they examined thousands of words and phrases within official documents, categorizing them into themes including economics, governance, environmental protection, sustainability, social equity, science, ethics and aesthetics. The researchers then compared how frequently each theme appeared to determine where the organization places its greatest emphasis.

The analysis found that economic and governance language overwhelmingly dominated CARICOM’s official discourse. Environmental sustainability received comparatively little attention, while ethical responsibilities and the intrinsic value of nature were discussed only rarely.

“CARICOM is protecting and centering governance on economics and to some extent labor, but not nature,” the authors wrote. “When we specifically look for discourse on coral reefs, which are endangered but essential to the ecology and the economy of the Caribbean, there is none across the decade of data. Explicit discourse on ocean/marine conservation is absent until 2017.”

Copeland, a junior political science student, began researching the topic with Professor Jacques in 2025 with the support of a UCI Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe Scholars summer research grant. 

The article, “Regional Sustainable Economic Development in the Caribbean? A Discursive Inquiry,” was published in July. Sustainable Development was recently ranked by Web of Science/Clarivate as the top journal for development studies.