Mentors
Sue Ebanks is currently a tenured professor at Savannah State University for the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences in the College of Sciences and Technology. There, she teaches and does research with students and community partners in areas of aquatic and marine biology, environmental toxicology, physiological and behavioral ecology, urban food deserts, and geoscience education. Dr. Ebanks earned a Master of Science in Marine Sciences (2005) from Savannah State University with her thesis on the prevalence and effect of isopod parasitism in grass shrimp on shrimp behavior. Sue’s doctorate is from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami (2010) where her dissertation was focused on physiological ecology and environmental toxicology of freshwater invertebrates. Her work at SSU has involved being primary advisor for 9 graduate students, thesis committee service for 15 Master’s students, and research mentor for 45+ undergraduate students. At her core, Sue is wife and colleague to Dr. Dwight Ebanks, and mother to Junpei and Jax Ebanks.
Savannah Geiger is a recent graduate of the MS in marine sciences program at Savannah State University. Her research focuses on the transportation, both vertically and horizontally, of microplastics in estuarine and open ocean environments. Additionally, she is interested in the trophic transfer of microplastics. Most recently, Savannah has focused on creating K-12 classroom activities to teach students about plastics in the ocean. In her free time, Savannah enjoys scuba diving, puzzles, and making her own pasta. This is Savannah’s first time leading a STEM SEAS cruise.
Michael Toomey
Students
Hello, my name is Ashley Gonzales and I am from Chicago, Illinois! Currently, I am a junior studying at the George Washington University majoring in Geology and a minor in Astrophysics. While exploring more subjects within my classes I have been drawn more to oceanography and am excited to be a part of the STEMSEAS expedition to learn more about the many opportunities of being in the geological sciences and receive a more hands-on experience with oceanography! This opportunity is an amazing chance to connect with students with similar interests and goals and be able to learn from each other and our mentors that I am honored to be a part of! Outside of my studies I love running, doing ceramics, painting, hockey, and exploring new places!
Hey! My name is TreVaughn Ellis and I am a Junior studying biology at American University! I have always loved the ocean and have had a passion for discovery and science since I was a kid. I remember being fascinated observing guppies and their behavior in a small plastic fish tank and thinking I wanted to be a marine biologist. It’s wild to think that now, however many years later, I will have the opportunity to experience what was a childhood dream on this STEMSEAS expedition! I am excited to see what the intersections of science and oceanography look like, especially in a setting as exciting as this one!
Hey! My name is Flavia Moore and I am a sophomore at the University of Delaware studying marine science with a concentration in marine biology. I lived in Delaware my entire life, but I love to travel and take every opportunity I can to see the world! I never thought of myself as someone who would major in STEM, but as I got older I realized how these areas of study can help the world on a broader scale. My overall dream would be to start my own nonprofit organization spearheading environmental issues, but I plan to get there one step at a time. The first step being STEMSEAS! I am so excited to meet people with the same interests and experience these new learning opportunities together!
Hey there! My name is Hailey Gilman. I recently finished my B.S. in physics, with minors in music (flute) and mathematics, from Randolph College – a small liberal arts college in Central Virginia. My senior research focused on the spatial carbon sequestration properties of seagrass, evaluating twenty year data from the Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research Site in ArcMap. Much of my free time has been spent in science outreach and education – principally my internship work with our annual science festival. Through my research, coursework, and volunteer work, I have found that physics and mathematics have been the most exciting to me in the context of the world around us. So comes my personal challenge of picking one field of study for a masters or PhD.
I am a lifelong sailor, and for a life always above the water, I challenged myself to dive under this past Summer with my Dad. We had the incredible opportunity to explore the many marine environments of Palau – a small island nation south of Guam. I was able to connect with active researchers there, and I now know I want to pursue the world of oceanography. STEMSEAs could not be happening at a better point in my life. I am so excited to meet everyone soon!
Jordan Rosales is a Junior at the University of Delaware, majoring in Geological Sciences with a minor in Coastal and Marine Geological Sciences. He is currently partaking in a Virtual Student Federal Service internship with the USGS Pacific Islands Water Science Center, improving public awareness of Hawaiian aquifers. During his time at UD Jordan has been involved in being the President of Photography Club, Vice President of Geology club, and working at UD’s Mineralogical Museum. For his STEMSEAS experience, Jordan is looking forward to getting more hands-on experience in the field of research and more exposure to oceanography. Jordan has previously done research at Stony Brook University on groundwater fertilizer contamination and has presented his research at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, leading him to see research as an alluring field. During his free time, Jordan enjoys kayaking, snorkeling, as well as shooting film photography.
Hey, my name is Kelly Logan and I’m from Long Island, New York! I’m a sophomore at the University of Delaware, where I’m majoring in Marine Biology. I’m interested in studying the biomagnification and bioaccumulation of microplastics through trophic levels but I’m hoping to explore more fields with STEMSEAS. When I’m not at school I’m volunteering at the New York Marine Rescue Center where I lead beach clean ups, assist with animal releases and help patrol for cold-stunned sea turtles. I am so excited for my research cruise with STEMSEAS and can’t wait to learn more about field research!
Hi, my name is Paige Aldred and I am a senior at the University of Delaware. I am studying Environmental Science with a concentration in Marine Science with minors in Public Policy and Environmental Humanities. I have a variety of interests and that has really shown in my varied college research, some of my favorite projects have included looking at the effects that the fashion industry has on Microplastic pollution in marine environments and quantifying the vulnerability of Coastal typologies to Storm surge salinization using Arc GIS. I also have a strong interest in the policy process, especially when it comes to enacting change regarding sustainability. I have been grateful to get to be a part of change firsthand, serving as my college’s senator for the Student Government Association and serving as a board member for The Student Sustainability Alliance at the University of Delaware. My heart however lies in marine conservation as I hope to pursue this in my next step of graduate school next fall.
I am very excited about all the opportunities as participating in STEMSEAS and I am really looking forward to living on a boat for an entire week!
Hey! My name is Christina Martinez and I’m a freshman at the University of Delaware. I’m majoring in marine biology with the goal of becoming an aquatic veterinarian. I grew up in Wildwood, New Jersey and have always loved the beach and ocean. It’s my second home! I’m very grateful and thankful I have the opportunity to research so early within my college journey. I’m extremely excited to join the STEMSEAS cruise to meet others with the same interests as me! In my free time I like to participate in University of Delaware’s marching band (color guard) and crochet!
My name is Ann Marie Perez and I’m a junior currently studying for my B.S. in Marine Science at the University of Delaware! In high school, I had the opportunity to spend a weekend at Chincoteague Bay Field Station at Wallops Island, VA. That experience was solely based on marine science and it helped blossom my interest in the field. In college, I was a part of an Aquaponics and Hydroponics Sustainability internship that has helped me grow my interest in learning more about how animals interact with their environment and why. After the internship, I started out with having an aerogarden and eventually built a grow bed! I do plan on focusing on coastal and marine science upon graduating and eventually earn my PhD in wildlife ecology. Who knows? I may even have plans for earning a boat operating license and become scuba certified. Being a part of STEMSEAS would be one of my first real experiences when it comes to earning my degree. I am extremely excited and thankful to have this opportunity!
