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The Urban Coast Institute has awarded Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe Summer Research grants to support seven Monmouth University student-faculty projects ranging from studies of historic discrimination practices in beach access to nature\u2019s power for treating mental health issues.<\/p>\n
The Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe Scholars Program<\/a> offers competitive grant funding for students and faculty of all disciplines whose work supports the UCI\u2019s mission. The program supports several hands-on research projects each year that provide real world experience to students while helping make a positive impact in coastal communities.<\/p>\n The summer projects listed below kicked off this month and will continue until August. All work will be conducted in accordance with social distancing restrictions as prescribed by Monmouth University and the State of New Jersey.<\/p>\n Adapting to Protect the North Atlantic Right Whale from Climate Change<\/strong><\/p>\n Student: <\/strong>Aidan Bodeo-Lomicky<\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>:\u00a0 Randall S. Abate, J.D., Rechnitz Family\/Urban Coast Institute Endowed Chair in Marine and Environmental Law and Policy<\/p>\n The North Atlantic right whale is a critically endangered species native to the waters off the East Coast with only 400 individuals remaining. The student will prepare a paper that examines the range of threats to the species and the existing regulatory framework in the U.S. to conserve it, and proposes measures to enhance protections for the whale from climate change and the threats that it exacerbates.<\/p>\n Beach Access and Race Discrimination in New Jersey\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Student: <\/strong>London Jones<\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>:\u00a0 Randall S. Abate, J.D., Rechnitz Family\/Urban Coast Institute Endowed Chair in Marine and Environmental Law and Policy<\/p>\n The student will prepare a research paper on beach access policies that were implemented throughout New Jersey\u2019s history to discriminate against minorities and where vestiges of these measures remain in place today.<\/p>\n Ecotherapy: Nature as a Co-Therapist<\/strong><\/p>\n Student<\/strong> Researcher<\/strong>: Nicole Owenburg<\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>: Dr. Megan Delaney, Department of Professional Counseling<\/p>\n The researcher will design a qualitative study and a survey that will explore the impact of ecotherapy (contact with nature\/the outdoors as a method or element of therapy) in treating mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and adjustment disorders. The project will also examine the influence of the coastal environment on ecotherapy outcomes.<\/p>\n Harmful Algal Blooms in Monmouth County Coastal Lakes, Estuaries, and Ocean<\/strong><\/p>\n Student Researchers: <\/strong>Karly Nolan and Skyler Post<\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>: Dr. Jason Adolf, Department of Biology<\/p>\n This project will build on research that started in 2018 on the prevalence and causes of harmful algal blooms in Monmouth County aquatic environments, including the Navesink\/Shrewsbury river estuaries, the Hudson-Raritan Estuary, and the county\u2019s coastal lakes.<\/p>\n Reptile and Amphibian Ecology and Conservation in Urbanized and Suburbanized Ecosystems<\/strong><\/p>\n Student Researchers<\/strong>: Sara Grouleff and Angel Ireland<\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>: Dr. Sean Sterrett, Department of Biology<\/p>\n The team will study the persistence of reptiles and amphibians in areas heavily developed by humans through activities including surveys of turtle and frog populations in Monmouth County\u2019s coastal lakes and the Delaware-Raritan Canal, and experiments with the use of drone technologies to detect diamondback terrapins and estimate their populations.<\/p>\n Using Artificial Intelligence to Track the Environmental and Economic Consequences of Climate Change<\/strong><\/p>\n Student Researcher<\/strong>: Avery Jackson<\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>: Katie Gatto, Department of Computer Science<\/p>\n The team will experiment with the use of algorithms to analyze data related to past natural disaster costs and future sea level rise projections in an effort to estimate the economic costs of climate change in America\u2019s coastal areas.<\/p>\n Using eDNA as a Tool for Understanding Our Coastal and Estuarine Communities<\/strong><\/p>\n Student<\/strong>: Cameron Gaines<\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>: Dr. Megan Phifer-Rixey, Department of Biology\/UCI Marine Genetics Fellow<\/p>\n The researchers will collaborate with Monmouth University and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists to investigate how marine environmental DNA (eDNA) can be used effectively to learn about local waters. Their efforts will contribute to both controlled, experimental tests and field surveys designed to determine how best to use eDNA.<\/p>\n Monmouth University students and faculty are invited to apply now for fall Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe Scholars funding opportunities. Fall grants available include:<\/p>\n Those interested may apply via the UCI Funding Opportunities<\/a> page on the MyMU Portal (Monmouth University sign-in credentials required). For more information, contact UCI Associate Director Dr. Thomas Herrington at therring@monmouth.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\nApply for Fall Funding<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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