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Eleven faculty experts, staff and students from ����Vlog’s School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) recently attended the eighth biennial North American Congress for Conservation Biology (NACCB) conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. From July 12 to 16, they joined more than 500 conservation professionals and students who came together under the theme “Conservation and Restoration for People and Nature” to foster communication among conservation scientists and practitioners in North America.

This was the first time ECOS members attended the event, which provided a forum to share new research, developments and strategies that will shape policy decisions and best practices to address today’s environmental challenges. Additionally, ECOS was proud to serve as the Gold Sponsor of the five-day event.

“Sponsoring this event gave ECOS invaluable visibility within the broader research community,” said Michael McCoy, Ph.D., associate director of ECOS and professor of biological sciences. “The high-level presentations from ����Vlog students and faculty showcased the true breadth and quality of the work happening across our labs. Additionally, having an ECOS-affiliated student recognized with a poster presentation award at this internationally attended conference was a proud moment for ECOS.”

Lectures

• Jennalie Lutes, environmental science master’s student and graduate research assistant: “Evaluating Prey Communities and Stable Isotope Signatures in Off-lake Foraging Wetlands for Lake Okeechobee Wading Birds”
• Michelle Petersen, Ph.D., director of the Environmental Science Program within ECOS, and assistant research professor, Department of Biological Sciences: “Modeling Tropic Linkages: Dry Season Prey Concentrations of Aquatic Fauna and Wading Bird Nesting”
• Michael McCoy, Ph.D., associate director of ECOS and professor of biological sciences: “Growing Conch, Growing Hope: The Role of Aquaculture in Queen Conch Restoration”
• Megan Davis, Ph.D., director of ����Vlog Harbor Branch’s Queen Conch Lab and research professor of aquaculture and stock enhancement: “Growing Conch, Growing Hope: The Role of Aquaculture in Queen Conch Restoration”

Awards

Ph.D. candidate Jessica Wimmer, won the Best Poster Presentation award for her project, “Population Genomic Investigation of Introduced Argentine Black and White tegus in Florida.”

“I was delighted to attend the NACCB��conference and present my research, which received partial funding from WLW-ECOS,” shared Wimmer. “As one of the premier gatherings in the field, NACCB��provided valuable opportunities to engage with fellow conservation researchers and to learn about innovative studies being conducted globally. I was honored to win best poster for my Ph.D. dissertation research on population genetics of non-native Argentine Black and White tegus with my advisor, Dr. Michael McCoy.”

Posters Presenters

• Tajul Islam Mamun, Ph.D. student: “Linking fire ecology and disease dynamics in the conservation of Florida Scrub-Jays”
• Divyasheel Sukhari, Fulbright Scholar and marine and environmental sciences master’s student: “Trophic-mediated Dispersal of Cnidarian Symbionts: A Tractable Marine Model Using Aiptasia pallida and Berghia stephanieae”
• Scott Markwith, Ph.D., professor, Department of Geosciences: “Interacting Influences of Climate Change and Restoration on the Florida Bay Estuarine Ecosystem”

Sydney Harrison, ECOS’s new outreach coordinator, also attended the event. In her role, Harrison develops and delivers environmental education programs, coordinates community outreach initiatives and forges partnerships to advance ECOS’s mission.

“Attending my first conference with Florida Atlantic was an incredible experience,” stated Harrison. “I was truly impressed by the innovative research being conducted around the country and the dedication of the faculty and staff. I especially enjoyed getting to know our students and faculty members, and I look forward to attending future events and continuing to build those connections.”

The eleven Florida Atlantic ECOS researchers attended NACCB with support from a WLW-ECOS Travel Grant. The grant is part of a generous gift from Wayne and Lucretia Weiner who established the WLW-ECOS Fund in 2024, creating invaluable opportunities for students and early-career scientists dedicated to developing solutions for a more sustainable future.

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