Alumni of the CMSS program

2024

Skylar Meehan
Faculty Advisor: Dorina Murgulet
Thesis: Coastal Karst Groundwater Dynamics: A Geochemical Analysis of the Yucatán's Karst Aquifer Vulnerability
Honors, Awards, & Affiliations: NRT STAGES Fellow

Meghan Bygate, MS student
Faculty Advisor: Mohamed Ahmed
Thesis: Mapping Optimal Locations for Oyster Aquaculture Using Remote Sensing Data and Modeling Techniques

Hailey Santa Ana, MS 2024
Faculty Advisor: Chuntao Liu
Thesis: In Situ and Remote Sensing of Aerosol Properties and Their Influences in Tropical Oceanic Warm Rain Systems
Honors, Awards, & Affiliations: NRT STAGES Fellow

2023

Anthony Lima, Ph.D. 2023
Faculty Advisors: Jennifer Pollack, David Yoskowitz
Dissertation: Development of Comparative Indices, Ecosystem Service Values, and Scenario Models to Support Decision Making in the Texas Oyster Mariculture Industry
Honors, Awards, & Affiliations: CCME Scholar

Tommy Winning, Ph.D. 2023
Faculty Advisor: Feiqin Xie
Dissertation: Assessment of the Planetary Boundary Layer Over the Northeastern Pacific Ocean: Impact of Ducting and Horizontal Inhomogeneity on GNSS Radio Occultation Measurements

Mariana C. León Pérez, Ph.D. 2023
Faculty Advisor: James Gibeaut
Dissertation: Assessing the Occurrence, Social Vulnerability, and Legal Implications of Sargassum Influxes in Puerto Rico Using a Social-Ecological Systems Approach
Honors, Awards, & Affiliations: CCME Scholar

Yixi Qiu, Ph.D. 2023
Faculty Advisor: David Felix
Dissertation: Determining Source Apportionment of Reactive Nitrogen in a Gulf of Mexico Watershed and Airshed

Anthony Cox, M.S. 2023
Faculty Advisor: J. David Felix
Research: Isotopic composition, molecular characterization, and bioavailability of dissolved organic nitrogen

Jennifer Gilmore, M.S. 2023
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Pollack
Thesis: Impact of disturbances on serpulid reef and soft-sediment macrofauna in Baffin Bay, Texas

Erin Taylor, M.S. 2023
Faculty Advisor: Joseph David Felix
Research: nutrient sourcing along the Matagorda Beach shoreline using stable isotopes

2022

Elizabeth Gomaa (Del Rosario), Ph.D. 2022
Faculty Advisors: Paul Montagna, Richard McLaughlin
Dissertation: Texas 2007 Senate Bill 3 Environmental Flows Process: A Review and Analysis for the Priority Coastal Basins in Texas, USA
Honors, Awards, & Affiliations: CCME Scholar

Larissa Dias, Ph.D. 2022
Faculty Advisor: Xinping Hu
Dissertation: Estuarine Carbonate Chemistry in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico and Its Controlling

Thomas Lavigne, Ph.D. 2022
Faculty Advisor: Chuntao Liu
Dissertation: Towards a better understanding of the global electric circuit and thunderstorm trends utilizing satellite and ground-based measurements.

Sagar Shrestha, Ph.D. 2022
Faculty Advisor: Hussain Abdulla
Dissertation: Photo-transformation of Dissolved Organic Nitrogen in Baffin and Lavaca Bays, Texas

Monisha Sugla, MS 2022
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Pollack
Thesis: Evaluating the effects of vertical relief on ecosystem service provision by restored oyster reefs
Honors, Awards, & Affiliations: CCME Scholar

Christopher Vickers, MS 2022
Faculty Advisor: Dorina Murgulet
Thesis: Mobilization and transport of contaminants to groundwater in response to extreme weather events in south Texas

Bimal Gyawali, Ph.D. 2022
Faculty Advisor: Dorina Murgulet
Dissertation: Improving Assessments of Water Resources Characterization and Relationships to Climate Variabilities

Coral Lozada, Ph.D. 2022
Faculty Advisor: David Yoskowitz
Dissertation: Livelihoods in Transition Across the Gulf of Mexico: A Three Case Study Approach

Kevin Nelson, Ph.D. 2022
Faculty Advisor: Feiqin Xie
Dissertation: Planetary Boundary Layer Profiling with Spaceborne GNSS Radio Occultation and Advances in Radio Occultation from Aerial Platforms

Jordana Cutajar, MS 2022
Faculty Advisor: Michael Wetz
Thesis: Spatial-temporal variability in phytoplankton biomass and community composition in Texas residential canals

EvaLynn Jundt, MS 2022
Faculty Advisor: Xinping Hu
Thesis: Multiple linear regression models for the estimation of pH and aragonite saturation state in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Xue Feng, Ph.D. 2022
Faculty Advisor: Toshiaki Shinoda
Dissertation: Dynamics of ocean circulation and air-sea interaction in the Southeast Indian Ocean and their impact on Ningaloo Niño

Lindsey Hayden, Ph.D. 2022
Faculty Advisor: Chuntao Liu
Dissertation: Microphysical and Macrophysical Properties of Convective Precipitation and Techniques for Detection using the GPM Core Satellite

Hao Yu, Ph.D. 2022
Faculty Advisor: Richard Coffin
Dissertation: Source and flux of methane released from Corpus Christi coastal area

Lexie Neffinger, MS 2022
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Pollack
Thesis: Developing a bioassessment framework to inform tidal stream management along a hydrologically variable coast

Lily Walker, MS 2022
Faculty Advisor: Michael Wetz
Thesis: Timescales and magnitude of water quality changes in three Texas estuaries induced by the passage of Hurricane Harvey

William Wolfe, MS 2022
Faculty Advisor: Dorina Murgulet
Thesis: Modeling Time Series Radon Inventory and Constraints on the Submarine Groundwater Discharge Mass Balance of a Well-Mixed, Highly Dynamic Estuary

2021

Diana Del Angel, Ph.D. 2021
Faculty Advisor: David Yoskowitz
Dissertation: Social-Ecological System Approach for Assessing Impacts of Sea-Level Rise and the Benefits of Natural and Nature-Based Features

Terry Palmer, Ph.D. 2021
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Pollack
Dissertation: Effects of Contamination from Antarctic Research Stations on Marine Benthic Fauna

Melissa McCutcheon, Ph.D. 2021
Faculty Advisor: Xinping Hu
Dissertation: Spatial and temporal trends and controlling factors of carbonate chemistry in the estuaries of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Mohammad Barzegar-Paiin-Lamouki, Ph.D. 2021
Faculty Advisor: Darek Bogucki
Dissertation: Turbulence within the upper ocean boundary layer

2020

Audrey R. Douglas, Ph.D. 2020
Faculty Advisor: Dorina Murgulet
Dissertation: The Importance of Submarine Groundwater Discharge on Nutrient Fluxes and Dissolved Organic Matter Molecular Composition in a Semi-arid, Highly Disturbed Estuary
Awards and Honors: Outstanding Research Assistant (2018)

Ryan Turner, M.S. 2020
Faculty Advisor: Mohamed Ahmed
Thesis: Investigating Fault Control on Reservoir Accumulation and Spatial Distribution Using 3D Seismic Data and Well Logging Data: A Case Study from the Lower Oligocene Vicksburg Formation, Brooks County, Texas
Awards and Honors: 2020 Outstanding Graduate from the College of Science and Engineering

Sajjad Abdullajintakam, Ph.D. 2020
Faculty Advisor: Richard Coffin
Dissertation: Impacts of Subsurface Methane Transport on Shallow Marine Sediment Geochemistry

Emily Cira, Ph.D. 2020
Faculty Advisor: Michael Wetz
Dissertation: Phytoplankton Dynamics in a Eutrophying South Texas Estuary
Awards and Honors: Outstanding Research Assistant (2016), NOAA Knauss Fellow (2017)

Mark McKay, Ph.D. 2020
Faculty Advisors: Mark Besenon and Paul Montagna
Dissertation: Understanding the temporal and spatial development of south Texas Bays and Estuaries from a paleoperspective
Outreach: President of Satellite Educators Association (2013-2020)

Quinn McColly, Ph.D. 2020
Faculty Advisor: David Yoskowitz
Dissertation: Market Mechanisms and Efficient Allocation of Water: Modeling Water Prices, Option Contracts on Water, and Enhancing Frameworks

Samreen Siddiqui, Ph.D. 2020
Faculty Advisor: Jeremy Conkle
Dissertation: Future water quality challenges to aquaculture and influences on product safety

Prior to 2020

Benjamin Johnston, Ph.D. 2019
Faculty Advisor: Feiqin Xie
Dissertation: Using COSMIC and TRMM satellite data for understanding the effects of thunderstorms on the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere

Nana Liu, Ph.D. 2019
Faculty Advisor: Chuntao Liu
Dissertation: Large-scale Thermodynamic Environments Favoring Intense Convection: a Perspective from Satellite Observations

Abishek Adhikari, Ph.D. 2019
Faculty Advisor: Chuntao Liu
Dissertation: Satellite Remote Sensing of Ice Precipitation Events

Zackary Olsen, Ph.D. 2019
Faculty Advisor: Greg Stunz
Dissertation: Defining Essential Fish Habitat in an Ecosystem Context: Practical Identification and Relevance to Management

Hongming Yao, Ph.D. 2019
Faculty Advisor: Xinping Hu
Dissertation: Carbon Budget in Coastal Estuaries of the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico under Hydrologic Control

Chuyen Nguyen, Ph.D. 2019
Faculty Advisor: Michael Starek
Dissertation: Development of Geodetic Imaging Techniques and Computational Approaches for Marsh Observation

Elaine Kurr, M.S. 2019
Faculty Advisor: Paul Montagna
Thesis: Focused Flows to Natural Nurseries in Texas Estuaries

Melissa Rohal, Ph.D. 2018
Faculty Advisor: Paul Montagna
Dissertation: Ecosystem Impacts of Oil Spills on the Offshore Environment in the Gulf of Mexico
Awards and Honors: First place Doctoral 3MT Thesis Competition winner (2017)

Hongjie Wang, Ph.D. 2018
Faculty Advisor: Xinping Hu
Dissertation: Drivers of Carbon and Oxygen Dynamics in Disparate Marine Ecosystems
Awards and Honors: 2017 Outstanding Research Assistant

Cole Castleberry, M.S. 2018
Faculty Advisor: Lee Smee
Thesis: The Risk Assessment Capability and Defense Induction Strategy of the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica

Katherine Martin, M.S. 2018
Faculty Advisor: Jeremy Conkle
Thesis: Quantifying and Characterizing the Mississippi River's Contribution of Microplastic Debris to the Gulf of Mexico

Kieu Tran, M.S. 2018
Faculty Advisor: Jeremy Conkle
Thesis: Applying Segmentation and Neural Networks to Detect and Quantify Marine Debris from Aerial Images Captured by an Unmanned Aerial System and Mobile Device

Jacque Campbell, M.S. 2018
Faculty Advisor: Dave Felix
Thesis: Investigating the Isotopic Composition of Reactive Nitrogen in a South Texas Estuary (Baffin Bay).

Michelle Culver, M.S. 2018
Faculty Advisor: James Gibeaut
Thesis: Beach Geomorphology and Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) Nest Site Selection Along Padre Island, TX, USA
Awards and Honors: Second Place MS 3MT Thesis Competition winner(2017)

Jamie Smith, M.S. 2018
Faculty Advisor: Paul Montagna
Thesis: Multiple Stressor Effects on Marcobenthic Communities in Corpus Christi Bay, Texas

Elena Kobrinski Keen, Ph.D. 2017
Faculty Advisor: Richard McLaughlin
Dissertation: Status, Strategies, and Cost Management of Offshore Oil Rig Platform Decommissioning and Rigs-to-Reefs Programs in the Gulf of Mexico: Addressing Decommissioning Challenges Using a Multi-Criteria Approach

Ryan Rezek, Ph.D. 2017
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Pollack
Dissertation: Ecological Structure and Function of Restored Habitats Across a Range of Coastal Environments

Kaitlyn Schroeder (Spain), Ph.D. 2017
Faculty Advisor: Delbert Smee
Dissertation: Dazed and Confused: Pesticides Alter Physiology, Behavior, and Predatory-Prey Interactions of Juvenile and Adult Blue Crabs (Callinectes Sapidus)
Awards and Honors: 2015 Sea Grant Knauss Fellow

Rachel Edwards, M.S. 2016
Faculty Advisor: James Gibeaut
Thesis: Rising Above: Impacts of Coastal Policies with Respect to Sea Level Rise in Galveston Bay, Texas

Lauren Hutchison, Ph.D. 2016
Faculty Advisor: David Yoskowitz
Dissertation: Operationalizing Coastal Wetland Ecosystem Services for Enhanced Decision Making and Resilience

Evan Turner, Ph.D. 2016
Faculty Advisors: Paul Montagna and Alexey Sadovski
Dissertation: Modeling Nutrient Dynamics in the Estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico

Brittany Blomberg, Ph.D. 2015
Faculty Advisors: Paul Montagna and Jennifer Pollack
Dissertation: Evaluating Success of Oyster Reef Restoration

Maureen Trnka, Ph.D. 2015
Faculty Advisors: Paul Zimba and Alberto M. Mestas-Nuñez
Dissertation: Associations between Chlorophyll and Wind Forcing in the Gulf of Mexico Derived from Satellite Observations

Anthony Reisinger, Ph.D. 2015
Faculty Advisor: James Gibeaut
Dissertation: Suspended Sediment Dynamics of Texas Estuaries

Harriet Nash, Ph.D. 2013
Faculty Advisor: Richard McLaughlin
Dissertation: Trinational Governance to Protect Ecological Connectivity: Support for Establishing an International Gulf of Mexico Marine Protected Area Network

Hongzhi Song, Ph.D. 2013
Faculty Advisor: Alexey Sadovski
Dissertation: Geoid Determination in the Coastal Areas of the Gulf of Mexico

Natalya Warner, Ph.D. 2013
Faculty Advisor: Philippe Tissot
Dissertation: Estimated Increase in Inundation Probability with Confidence Intervals for the Gulf of Mexico

Gabby Ahmadia, Ph.D. 2012
Faculty Advisor: Frank Pezold
Dissertation: Elucidating Factors Structuring Cryptobenthic Reef Fish Assemblages

John Wood, Ph.D. 2012
Faculty Advisor: James Gibeaut
Dissertation: Hyperspectral Analysis of Seagrass in Redfish Bay, Texas

Keith Johnson, Ph.D. 2012
Faculty Advisor: Delbert Smee
Dissertation: Eastern Oysters Offer No Pearl, But They Might Be in Peril: Understanding How Lethal and Non Lethal Predator Effects Influence Oyster Distribution and Reef Community

Morgan Kilgour, Ph.D. 2012
Faculty Advisors: Thomas Shirley and John W. Tunnell
Dissertation: Galatheoidea and Chirostyloidea of the Gulf of Mexico: Diversity, Reproductive Biology and Molecular Phylogeny

Kevin Nelson, Ph.D. 2012
Faculty Advisor: Paul Montagna
Dissertation: The Relative Roles of Salinity Stratification and Nutrient Loading in Seasonal Hypoxia in Corpus Christi Bay, Texas

Maggie Dalthorp, Ph.D. 2011
Faculty Advisor: Thomas Naehr
Dissertation: The Geology of Gulf of Mexico Hydrocarbon Seeps: Structural and Stratigraphic Relationships of Hydrocarbon Seeps in the Gulf of Mexico and the Geological Factors Contributing to Sea Surface Oil Slick Formation

Bridgette Froeschke, Ph.D. 2011
Faculty Advisor: Greg Stunz
Dissertation: Assessment of Past, Present, and Future Status of Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) in Texas Using a Time Series and Quantitative Modeling Approach

Sandra Arismendez, Ph.D. 2010
Faculty Advisors: Paul Montagna and John W. Tunnell
Dissertation: Land-Water Nutrient Coupling Processes in Central Texas Estuaries

John Froeschke, Ph.D. 2010
Faculty Advisors: Greg Stunz and Mark Wildhaber
Dissertation: Defining Essential Fish Habitat: The Influence of Life History, Biotic, and Abiotic Factors

Alumni of the CMSS program

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

Prior to 2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

CMSS Program Coordinator