Graduate Students

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Deimeke - B.S. - Biology, Kenyon College 2006 - M.S. - Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, in progress    Currently, Lizzy is pursuing her master’s degree and focusing on the link between wetland ecosystem services and ecological condition. The capacity of wetlands to perform valuable functions, such as phosphorus retention and water storage is questionable in landscapes dominated by intensive agricultural and urban land-uses. Tracking the change in wetland functions as a result of changing land-use is cost-intensive and cumbersome. Therefore, managers use ecological assessment methods to evaluate overall ecological condition. Assessment methods rate ecological condition based on a variety of indicators, and consequently, do not always give a clear answer regarding wetland functionality. In her research, Lizzy hopes to clarify the connection between ecological condition and wetland function.

Marcus Griswold - B.S. - University of Maryland at College Park, 2000 - M.S. - Entomolgy and Nematology, University of Florida, 2007    Marcus Griswold is currently a doctoral candidate with a research focus on riparian zone management in small streams. His goal is to understand ecological processes governing biotic diversity at multiple scales, from individuals to populations, and from leaf packs to watersheds. Ultimately he hopes to gain a better idea of how to manage these zones, by linking thresholds of both anthropogenic and natural disturbances to changes in diversity and ecosystem functioning.

Suzanne Moellendorf - B.A. - Biology, Wellesley College, 2003 - M.S. - Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, 2007    Suzanne’s doctoral research examines the effects of irrigation canals on stream ecosystems in a tropical dry forest region in Costa Rica. Specifically, her research investigates how canal-influenced changes in streamflow and riparian cover affect stream structure and function, with a focus on the macroinvertebrate and fish communities. In addition, her research investigates whether similarities in structure and function exist between irrigation canals and streams. She hopes her results will aid water resources management in this water scarce region.

Justin Vogel - B.S. - Physics, University of South Florida, 2005 - M.S. - Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, in progress    Justin’s research is centered on Lake Okeechobee, studying the properties of its sediments and attempting to determine whether current spatial and temporal sampling regimes are sufficient to detect changes within the lake. He is also investigating visible/near-infrared spectroscopy as an inexpensive means of predicting sediment characteristics and increasing the sampling resolution of future sediment surveys.

William (Bill) R. White - B.S. - Biology, Jacksonville University, 1997 - M.S. - Biology, University of Mississippi, 2003    Bill's research interests lie in wetland, estuarine, and stream ecology, as well as limnology. His M.S. research focused on C:N:P responses to multi-factor stressors and agrichemical exposure in experimental agricultural wetlands. His dissertation research examines the role of headwater type in determining the structure and function of downstream habitats. Specifically, looking at headwater effects on nutrient and biotic spiraling in streams, and developing an index/model from this information to use when protecting, mitigating, or rehabilitating streams and their floodplains. Bill's tther interests include spatial ecology and the use of GIS, GPS, and remote sensing in determining spatial effects on aquatic systems. Currently he is working in the Soil and Water Science Department as a field and laboratory technician and is involved with a variety of projects that focus on the Everglades.