Graduate research using environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor Spiny Lobster in Florida Bay

Hello, my name is Reneisha Sweet. I am a NOAA CCME-II EPP/MSI Graduate Scholar pursuing my master’s in biology with a marine and environmental science concentration at Jackson State University. I am an aspiring molecular ecologist and marine scientist interested in utilizing advanced molecular tools to monitor biodiversity and support marine conservation efforts. My thesis research focuses on developing probe-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays for the COI loci to enhance the detection and monitoring of Panulirus argus  (Caribbean spiny lobster). 

I had the incredible opportunity to dive into a 12-week NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) Internship at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, Florida, under the guidance of Drs. Katherine Silliman and Stephanie Roalses. I embarked on a project titled Spiny Lobster eDNA that combined cutting-edge molecular techniques with a passion for marine conservation. My project aimed to enhance our understanding of biodiversity in critical juvenile spiny lobster habitats while improving tools for species-specific monitoring.

The experience wasn’t confined to the lab; I had the chance to join fieldwork expeditions in the Florida Keys alongside the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Collecting environmental DNA samples and other data on Caribbean spiny lobsters in such a breathtaking setting was exhilarating and humbling, underscoring the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems. 

Beyond my hands-on work, I participated in weekly journal club meetings with NOAA scientists and fellow interns. These sessions became a creative and collaborative hub, sparking discussions on the latest research, fostering new ideas, and providing constructive feedback that pushed my scientific thinking. This dynamic environment expanded my technical and analytical skills and fueled my enthusiasm for marine science.

My NERTO project seamlessly connected to my master’s research, allowing me to further develop my molecular and bioinformatics expertise. I also began exploring how environmental factors like temperature and habitat characteristics might shape the biodiversity and health of P. argus habitats. These experiences solidified my commitment to using molecular tools to tackle ecological challenges and guide sustainable resource management.

This internship was more than a learning experience. It was a transformative journey that deepened my appreciation for the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and reaffirmed my drive to contribute to their conservation through science. The mentorship and support I received during my NERTO were instrumental in my growth as a scientist. This experience strengthened my aspiration to pursue a Ph.D., where I aim to integrate molecular biology, ecological modeling, and conservation strategies to enhance the sustainable management of marine resources. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to NOAA’s mission and to further my journey as a marine scientist.

NOTE: Reneisha Sweet’s NERTO internship was made possible by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Education, Educational Partnership Program with Minority-Serving Institutions award #NA21SEC4810004 (NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems-II). The contents of this post are solely the responsibility of the award recipient and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA.

Meet Imani Ford - NOAA EPP/MSI CCME-II Cohort 2 Graduate Scholar

Hello! 

I am Imani Ford, a NOAA EPP/MSI CCME-II Cohort 2 Graduate Scholar pursuing a master’s degree in integrated environmental science at Bethune Cookman University. 

I recently had the opportunity to complete a 12-week NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) Internship at the Office for Coastal Management (OCM) in Silver Spring, Maryland under the mentorship of Mr. Travis Grout, an economist with OCM. My project focused on the development of working waterfront case studies by layering climate inundation and economic data. 

The objective of this project was to provide underserved coastal communities with technical assistance to improve resilience decisions. Particularly, I performed case studies using NOAA’s Employment in Coastal Inundation Zones socioeconomic data, NOAA sea level rise data, FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas and ESRI Business Analyst software.

This project was heavily based in ArcGIS, which was perfect to aid in the development of my thesis and the geospatial analysis that I am conducting. By using ESRI Business Analyst and the aforementioned datasets, I layered different inundation hazards (SLR, Storm Surge, Flood zone hazard areas) at different levels to identify the economic impact that coastal inundation is having on coastal cities. 

After completing the methodology developed by CCME-II scholar Dejani Laplace to select my case studies, three case study sites were selected in Pascagoula, MS, Moss Point, MS, and Gloucester, MA. The project outputs are maps that spatially joined the different inundations with the business data, as well as tables to better depict how businesses are being affected by them.

I also gained new skills and was introduced to new analytical software IMPLAN (Impact Analysis for Planning) to further the efforts of the case study. IMPLAN is an economic model that helps to quantify the financial contribution of various activities within a specific region. IMPLAN is also a software that uses detailed economic data to create a model of the economy, including information on production, consumption, employment, and income. By implementing this tool into the project, I obtained general numbers that reflected how the city’s economy will be affected by loss of business due to coastal inundation.

Completing my NERTO this summer also gave me an opportunity to network with NOAA professionals as well as professionals in different federal agencies. The Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (AERE) Conference in Washington, D.C. was an opportunity to gain a better understanding of environmental economics and how it is applied to our lives. A session that I particularly enjoyed was about environmental gentrification. In this session, it was brought to my attention that environmental improvement is a factor that leads to the gentrification of neighborhoods that underrepresented populations may have inhabited. Due to positive environmental change occurring, the high-income population benefits as the property appreciates, thus displacing the low-income population to an environmentally worse-off location.

This NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity has developed my skills in ArcGIS Pro, allowed me to network with federal agency professionals, and introduced me to new software analysis methods and ways to convey the data for my thesis. My NERTO mentor and the economic team have given me an experience that has allowed me to see myself as a future NOAA professional and I am thankful for the opportunity.

Estuarine Expeditions and New Horizons to My Research Experience

 

Salutations! I am Jaden Eaton Hunt, a NOAA EPP/MSI CCME-II Graduate Scholar at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. As a graduate scholar, I completed my NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) internship. The NERTO occurred at the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina. My research focused on the Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve, more specifically the oyster mariculture of the surrounding area. The research objective was to characterize the interaction between microbiota, oysters, and the ecological services they provide.

Nutrient and water quality data were provided by the Centralized Data Management Office of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (CDMO-NERRS) database. These data were used to assess environmental quality linked to the relationship hypothesized between oysters and microorganisms. We performed metagenomic analysis on water and sediment samples retrieved from our site of interest, Shellfish Growing Area 13. Metagenomic analysis identifies the structure and function of nucleotide sequences- the building blocks of genes, typically collected and analyzed from an environmental sample. We retrieved environmental DNA (eDNA) from these samples to determine the diversity and abundance of microbiota in areas near oyster aquaculture.

My NERTO experience allowed me to gain the knowledge and skills to conduct next-gen sequencing techniques to identify genes and their respective hosts from an environmental sample. I learned more about the necessary steps involved in the quality control processes that precede the use of this technology. Upon extraction of genetic materials from our samples, we routinely amplified it using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to increase our yield of genetic material. It was exciting to be in a facility equipped with the infrastructure and equipment to sequence DNA. These steps were necessary to precede sample processing with the Illumina MiSeq Next Generation Machine to retrieve metagenomic data. The last step involved pooling or combining all of the samples was very interesting and soon followed by the intentional denaturation of our DNA library. The resulting data can be analyzed to provide a greater understanding of the genetic information that was present in our samples.

I also had the opportunity to collaboratively work with fellow scientists and stakeholders who valued the pursuit of this information. As the Hollings Marine Laboratory hosts personnel from other organizations, I networked and participated in professional development at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. My NOAA mentors, Dr. Jeff Guyon & Laura Webster, fostered connections that presented opportunities for me to such as trawling trips aboard research vessels. Overall, the NERTO greatly enhanced my professional development in NOAA aligned research.

 

                                              

NOAA EPP/MSI CCME II Graduate Scholar Jaden Hunt collecting a water sample on a sampling trip

Engaging with the Community to Promote Equity and Environmental Justice in Fisheries

Mya Brown, a master's student at the University of Texas
Rio Grande Valley, recently completed her NERTO internship
at the Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC)
in Honolulu, Hawaii

Hello, my name is Mya Brown, and I am a NOAA CCME-II EPP/MSI Cohort 1 graduate scholar from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) pursuing my master’s degree in Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Sciences (OCES). I am an ocean scientist engaged in social science research, as I am interested in understanding the effects of natural resource management on communities. Currently, my thesis research focuses on understanding stakeholder interactions and the impacts of these relationships on coastal habitat restoration projects occurring in Bahia Grande, Texas. 

One of my research goals is to better understand if and how natural resource managers collaborate with the local communities they serve (e.g., hosting meetings and educational outreach events) and identify any conditions that help or hinder collaboration with community members to help improve current management strategies. This work involves local communities and looks to better address their concerns regarding coastal resource usage and economic development. Furthermore, my research stresses the necessity for collaborative networks between stakeholders and the environment. It also relates to an area of professional and personal interest to me -Equity and Environmental Justice or EEJ as it relates to environmental issues and my research is defined as having equitable input concerning the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Environmental justice is a by-product of the civil rights movement and is linked to the unequal impacts and environmental decisions subjected to underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected communities in the United States. With this, NOAA Fisheries produced a National Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy to implement EEJ throughout the agency. For instance, the Pacific Island Region (PIR) has been working on implementing EEJ by establishing an EEJ working group with an interdisciplinary staff dedicated to incorporating it into their work. This integration will help guide NOAA staff to serve communities that are culturally and economically dependent on these coastal and oceanic resources. 

Accordingly, I was excited to have been provided an opportunity to complete a NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) in the Fall of 2023 at the Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) in Honolulu, Hawaii, where I served as a social science intern. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity as it allowed me to experience engaging in social science research. My NERTO project involved working with the Pacific Island Region (PIR) Equity and Environmental Justice (EEJ) working group where I helped establish and facilitate intra-organizational workshops, record and code data collected during these events, and develop a comprehensive report summarizing the main topics and feedback workshop participants provided. The greater goal of generating these workshop reports was to help draft the PIR EEJ Implementation Plan, which I assisted in writing. Lastly, I aided in developing guiding documents and thematic codes that will be used across regions for other EEJ working groups. 

Mya Brown presented her NERTO
research to NOAA scientists.

My NERTO experience was very fulfilling as I had the opportunity to develop important intra-organizational reports, analyze PIR community feedback, and present my methods across the NMFS divisions. The data and other information I coded was incorporated into the PIR EEJ Implementation Plan Draft and highlights an essential step that NOAA is taking toward a more equitable future. Participating in this internship enabled me to improve my coding, analysis, reporting, and presenting skills regarding qualitative data. Additionally, the experience I had working with NOAA social scientists was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Throughout my NERTO, I was supported by an amazing team of like-minded individuals who value understanding the greater impacts of NOAA work on communities. This work that I assisted with further cemented my passion for servicing underrepresented communities through science. This experience validated the importance of my thesis research in how it emphasized the importance of community-stakeholder dynamics and the effects that this has on resources. 

Mya Brown in front of the Pacific Island
Regional Office (PIRO) NOAA Globe.

My internship was made possible because of the fantastic leadership and support from the staff who guided me throughout my NERTO. I am grateful to the wonderful people I met at the PIFSC and the Pacific Island Regional Office (PIRO) who were actively involved in my work and offered guidance and opportunities for me to grow as a scientist. This experience has not only increased my love of science and serving the community it also served as a valuable learning experience on my journey to becoming a well-rounded scientist. 

NOTE: Mya’s NERTO internship was made possible by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Education, Educational Partnership Program with Minority-Serving Institutions award #NA21SEC4810004 (NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems-II). The contents of this post are solely the responsibility of the award recipient and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA.

Thalassophile: Taking My Passion for Healthy Oceans to an Invaluable Internship Experience

Geaceli G. Orive holding a common jellyfish (Aurelia
aurita) while abroad an ichthyoplanktonsurvey.

Hello everyone, allow me to introduce myself! My name is Geaceli G. Orive (also known as “G”), and I am a NOAA EPP/MSI CCME-II Scholar. I am currently a graduate student pursuing my masters . in Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Sciences at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). My thesis focuses on genetic connectivity of Gray Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) in the Mexican Caribbean, the southern and northwestern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). I received my B.S. in Marine Biology with a minor in photography in Spring 2022 at UTRGV. I am interested in place-based conservation, which is an often-overlooked topic that enhances the scientific understanding of human interactions with the coastal environment. 

During Fall of 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to a be NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunities (NERTO) Intern at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SFSC) in Pascagoula, Mississippi. This center is a branch of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). My project involved analyzing the changes in Sargassum habitat community structure from offshore to inshore areas in the northern Gulf of Mexico (east to west). I assisted with two ichthyoplankton surveys aboard a NOAA vessel (Gordon Gunter) which involved collecting and processing various samples (e.g. invertebrates) in order to identify and quantify early life stages of these Sargassum habitat associated organisms. I gained experience on two research cruises which also supported my professional development. For example, I learned about the fishing techniques in collaboration with the existing fisheries independent survey (Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP)) and how to perform ichthyoplankton surveys. It was absolutely amazing to be out at sea, gain a hands-on experience and witness the breathtaking views (fantastic marine organisms, endless sea, a plethora of stars, and glorious sunrises and sunsets). 

Geaceli G. Orive (front) and NOAA Scientist Pamela Brown (back)
washing down bongo nets after collecting specimens. 

Since my surveys collected a limited sample of Sargassum, historical data (2003 – 2019) was incorporated into my project, which) involved the community structure of fishes and invertebrates’ larvae associated with Sargassum habitat. For this approach, a comparison of community structure (i.e., species richness, abundances, diversity, evenness, and similarities/dissimilarities) between fishes and invertebrates among years and between the East vs. West GOM was performed. Noteworthy, ichthyoplankton surveys take place during Spring and Fall nearly year. However, SFSC focuses on different sampling areas (nearshore vs. offshore), hence this study did not compare community structure attributes between seasons. 

Ultimately, I expanded my skills in collecting, processing, and analyzing fishery-independent data in studies on habitat and community structure. This research is a relevant component of Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) and understanding how results from fish and invertebrate samples can be incorporated into the management of Sargassum in the northern GOM. I assisted in the development of research dissemination products to show the relevance of these results for fisheries management. Through this opportunity, I also gained an understanding of the responsibilities of a NOAA research laboratory and collaborated with like-minded peers who are passionate about healthy oceans. Moreover, I increased my skillset that are useful in a variety of academic, agency and NGO settings. 

Geaceli G. Orive in front of the NOAA research vessel, Gordon Gunter

Rain or shine, sampling was always
underway (Pictured: Geaceli G. Orive).

This NERTO contributed to the activities and priorities of SFSC which aligns with the broader NOAA mission. Further, this NERTO aligns with the CCME-II goals to provide training and tools that comprehend and respond to challenges that face coastal and marine communities.

I am extremely grateful to be a part of this program and broaden my knowledge of the science that supports healthy oceans. This experience allowed me to increase my confidence in this field, nourish my love for the sea and contribute to the exploration of our marvelous yet mysterious oceans. This NERTO elevated my growth as scholar, overall person and is in invaluable steppingstone to endless career opportunities. 

My support for this internship is through the NOAA CCME-II (support from the NOAA Educational Partnership Program with Minority-Serving Institutions, Cooperative Agreement Award #NA21SEC4810004).

A tranquil sunset picture captured at sea on the Gulf of Mexico

My Summer in the Bayou

Alyssa Outhwaite (left) and Becky Allee (right) in front of the 
Point-au-Chien Indian Tribe Building

Hi! My name is Alyssa Outhwaite, I am a NOAA EPP/MSI CCME-II Scholar and a PhD candidate in Marine Biology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. But what I’m really here to talk about is the amazing summer I spent as a NOAA EPP/MSI Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) intern with the Gulf Region’s Office for Coastal Management.

This summer, I had the opportunity to work with the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe (PACIT) of Terrebonne Parish, LA. I learned about their history and how lands have changed in the face of exploitation. I learned about their devotion to their homes and perseverance to maintain the important culture of their tribe in a changing world. Together we considered how alternative oyster culture (AOC) may be used to enhance social equity and environmental justice among their people. AOC is a potential sustainable way of growing oysters, where oysters are grown and harvested in bottom-placed or floating cages. While traditional oyster culture farming has been the way of the PACIT for generations, the concept of AOC is a relatively new one, and Louisiana in particular is interested in growing this industry.

As a part of this internship, I received hands on experience working with the tribe as well as behind the curtain operations of NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management. I was able to collaborate with the federal government, state agencies, and the local tribe to better understand the condition of Louisiana’s bayous, erosion concerns, and where AOC might fit into that changing landscape. We started by asking a simple question “are there suitable areas in which AOC can take place that will benefit the PACIT?” This led me through a journey of mapping out priority lands for the tribe and oyster leases in adjacent waters.

Alyssa Outhwaite giving a presentation on oyster aquaculture to the NOAA Gulf Region Collaboration Team

Donald Dardar (back left), Matt Bethel (back right),
Earl Melancon (front left), and Alyssa Outhwaite (front right)
surveying oyster leases in Terrebonne Parish Louisiana

One of my favorite experiences this summer was cruising out into the bayou with a couple of the tribe’s oystermen to survey oyster leases, where we documented the water’s temperature and salinity using a sonde, which is an instrument that transmits information about its surroundings from an inaccessible location such as underwater.

We made a little competition of tasting the water before checking the salinity to see how close our guesses were to truth. For two experienced oystermen, I wasn’t surprised how spot on their estimates were.

From there we poled the water bottom to document the substrate type. ‘Poling’ an oyster lease is actually quite simple. One must simply possess the ability to balance along the deck of a boat, spearing their rod down into the water to the sediment below, and shout back to person holding pen and paper what sort of bottom lay underneath. ‘Mud’ for the soft and sticky, ‘Firm’ for the more unyielding, and ‘Reef’ for the clumps of oysters easily discerned by the shifting clink of the pole as it taps across shells. And you simply do this repeatedly as the boat captain motors steadily across the water. The end result is a profile of the bottom type, which is important for determining how well an oyster farm might fare.

Alyssa Outhwaite surveying oyster lease bottoms by
"poling" in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana 

Returning to the tribal building to eat pot-fried crabs and listen to stories about the tribe, their legacy of living in the bayou, and how hard they work to keep moving forward was one of the most enriching experiences I’ve had.

This opportunity went far beyond learning more about NOAA and preparing me for a future in that industry. It helped me connect the important science we do to the people it impacts. It helped me better see where management can make a difference and how there is so much work that can be done for the underserved communities right in our own bayous.

______________________________________

Alyssa's NERTO internship was made possible by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Education, Educational Partnership Program with Minority-Serving Institutions award #NA21SEC4810004 (NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems-II). The contents of this post are solely the responsibility of the award recipient and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA. 

What are NERTO Internships?

NOAA CCME-II Scholar and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi biology master's student Jasmine Caillier interned with the NOAA Coastal Ocean Science Hollings Marine Lab's Ecotoxicology Branch

(Source: NOAA Office of Education) 

NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunities (NERTO) provide value to both the NOAA host offices and the EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Center-supported students. This is a win-win opportunity for NOAA and its academic partners. NERTOs increase the number of Cooperative Science Center (CSC)-supported students who participate in meaningful NOAA mission-aligned science, technology, engineering, mathematics, policy, natural resource management, and social science research and training at NOAA facilities and earn NOAA mission-aligned postsecondary degrees.

Read more about the NERTO program here:
https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/epp-msi/nerto