I grew up visiting my family's beach house in Matagorda, TX being fascinated with everything around the beach and ever since the first visit, I knew I wanted to study marine biology when I grew up.  I am finally getting that chance at TAMUCC working with Dr. Kevin Strychar for my MS in Biology looking at the corals that are found along the south Texas coast, specifically the sea whip, Leptogorgia.  I will be characterizing four key aspects of Leptogorgia: (1) where they are located such as hard vs. soft substrates and high vs. low currents, (2) density of observed species, (3) associated commensal species, and (4) factors which inhibit growth such as turbidity.  In the future, I hope to work for a national or state agency that does research and conservation of marine habitats and organisms.

waterlogged_ew@hotmail.com

My name is Drew Scherbo.  Born in Nebraska at the turn of the stone age, I ran to the sea first chance I got.  Starting with a fascination of sharks, marine biology is my future.  I volunteer with the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN.org) and currently assist Dr. Strychar with his work on symbiotic bioluminescent bacteria within deep-water benthic invertebrates. Not sure where in marine biology I’ll end up, but it’s sure worth the ride and the surfing is pretty good too.

sharkespeare@comcast.net

My name is Michelle White and I am currently an undergraduate student at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas.  I plan on getting my master’s from this university over the next few years.  For my future career I am undecided, however, I would be content with anything involving under water research.  I have always been interested in marine biology especially how organisms have adapted under water.  Since our society is slowly moving towards water-related technology, increased seafood diets, and coastal development, I think it is vital to protect what we have left in our seas.  To finish my undergraduate degree, I will be participating in a direct independent study (DIS) focusing on corals.  A potential project in mind would be to observe the detrimental and possibly beneficial factors that chemicals (oil, gasoline, and petrochemicals) have on solitary organisms and coral reefs.  As part of the DIS, I can observe corals in the local area and then reefs in the future, hopefully as my thesis during graduate school.  Because organisms rely on corals as a food source, concealment, or living and reproductive habitats, I think it would be interesting to see if the chemicals we release into the water have profound or subtle effects on the corals.

blj_yw@yahoo.com