The research efforts listed below will kick off in June.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
eDNA as a Tool for Surveying Turtles in New Jersey’s Coastal Lakes<\/strong><\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>: Megan Phifer-Rixey, UCI Marine Genetics Faculty Fellow<\/p>\n The student will test the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for detecting the presence of turtles in coastal lakes. In addition, the student will help develop the approach for use in teaching labs for undergraduate and high school students.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Effect Hurricanes Have on Sustainable Tourism in the Bahamas and New Jersey<\/strong><\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>: Ken Mitchell, Chair, Department of Political Science & Sociology<\/p>\n The researchers will analyze the experiences of New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy and the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian to determine how differences in policy, sustainable infrastructure, planning and protocols influenced the recoveries of their tourism industries.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Exploring Salt Tolerances of Lichens in Coastal Ecosystems<\/strong><\/p>\n Student<\/strong>: Emily Vasquez (UCI\/Provost Summer Scholar)<\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>: Associate Professor Pedram Daneshgar, Department of Biology<\/p>\n This study will test the salt tolerance of lichens growing in areas by the ocean in order to make predictions of how climate change and coastal flooding may alter lichen abundance and ecosystems in the future. Lichens in the field will be studied and digitally mapped, and different types of lichens will be grown in a greenhouse and subjected to saltwater exposure tests.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Female Labor Force Participation and Care of Children in Coastal New Jersey<\/strong><\/p>\n Student<\/strong>: James T. Allan<\/p>\n Faculty Mentors<\/strong>: Assistant Professor Katerine Ramirez, Department of Economics, Finance, and Real Estate; Assistant Professor Geoffrey Fouad, Department of History & Anthropology<\/p>\n Drawing on federal and state data, the project will probe whether commute times from daycare facilities affect the labor force participation and job choices of women in Jersey Shore communities, and whether those figures differ from their partners\u2019 by marital status or number and age of children.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative Policy Analyst <\/strong><\/p>\n Student:\u00a0<\/strong>Samantha Pawlik\u00a0(Research Assistant)<\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>: UCI Associate Director Thomas Herrington and Director Tony MacDonald<\/p>\n The New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative (NJCRC) is a partnership of stakeholders and interested parties from all sectors, including universities, nonprofit and for-profit groups, national estuary programs and reserves, advocacy organizations, state agencies and regional planning groups, established to foster sustainable and resilient coastal communities and ecosystems by generating informed action. The student will review present and proposed changes to the New Jersey coastal zone land use management rules, prepare a brief on the impact of the proposed rules, and aid the NJCRC in preparing recommended changes to the proposed rules for consideration by the state.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The “30 by 30” Initiative: Confronting the Threats of Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Student:\u00a0<\/strong>Kyra Velock\u00a0(Research Assistant)<\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>: Randall S. Abate, Rechnitz Family\/UCI Endowed Chair in Marine and Environmental Law and Policy<\/p>\n The “30 by 30” initiative (also called the America the Beautiful initiative<\/a>) seeks to conserve and protect 30% of U.S. land and ocean areas by the year 2030. The student will focus primarily on ocean protection, presenting information on the political and economic\u00a0challenges, and environmental benefits, associated\u00a0with reaching this goal, and legal tools\u00a0that will be essential for achieving it such as\u00a0marine spatial planning and marine protected areas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A Win-Win for\u00a0Offshore Wind Energy in the Mid-Atlantic: Science and Policy Options to Mitigate Harm and Maximize Benefits to Marine Species and Biodiversity<\/strong><\/p>\n Student<\/strong>: Riya Ajmera<\/p>\n Faculty Mentor<\/strong>: Randall S. Abate, Rechnitz Family\/UCI Endowed Chair in Marine and Environmental Law and Policy<\/p>\n The student will conduct research and interview experts involved in the Mid-Atlantic\u00a0offshore wind regulatory landscape, including representatives from\u00a0state and regional regulatory bodies, the offshore wind industry, environmental groups, marine scientists, the commercial fishing industry, and\u00a0Native American leaders. The student will\u00a0prepare\u00a0a white\u00a0paper examining science-based policy options that advance a “win-win” goal of promoting offshore wind development in a way that enhances protection of the marine environment through improved\u00a0data and\u00a0management, including marine protected areas\u00a0and other area-based management tools.\u00a0The paper will address the nature and scope of risks to the Mid-Atlantic\u00a0marine environment\u00a0and propose possible solutions to mitigate harm to\u00a0marine species\u00a0and promote\u00a0marine\u00a0biodiversity.<\/p>\n <\/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 Thomas Herrington at therring@monmouth.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/uci\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2019\/08\/2019-SRP-sympo-square-300x300.jpg\")
Student<\/strong>: Delaney Mestey-Jones<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/uci\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2021\/05\/DSC00178-300x225.jpg\")
Students<\/strong>: Catherine Melman-Kenny and Sabria Smith<\/p>\nFall Funding Opportunities<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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