Victoria Czupta: UR Introduction

Hello everyone,

     My name is Victoria Czupta (pronounced "soup-da"). I am 23, turning 24 in less than 2 months. I have a sugar glider named Gizmo, two leopard geckos named Tangerine and  Hypnotic, a siamese cat named S'mores, and a half chow chow dog named Scamp. I love animals, always have and always will. I also love science, so this class for me is very interesting. I'm transferring to Michigan for a zoology bachelor's degree after finishing this A.S. degree. I enjoy spending time with my family and my boyfriend. My hobbies include playing video games, magic the gathering, board games, inline skating, and cosplaying. I enjoy going to the Renaissance Festival and Megacon. I work at Dunkin Donuts, have for over 3 years. After graduating high school, I went to UNF for 2 years, but couldn't afford to stay there with living costs. I was able to participate in a trial class for Shark Ecology, where we were able to fish shark nurseries in the intercoastal, tag and release. This class that I took is what got me interested in field work, and is what I plan on doing for my Independent Research Project.

Shark Ecology summer 2011, Sandbar Shark

Megaladon Jaws at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, D.C.
2013

Lilli UR - Introduction

Hey fellow students and all other bloggers, my name is Lilli and I am an current Earth/Space Science Education major taking OCE3014. I am very new to blogging, as in this is my first ever blog post so this should be an interesting journey for us all! I guess I will start at the beginning with a little something about myself, I am 35 years old and have been married for almost 16 years.

My husband and I 16 years ago after our wedding!

 I have no children but I do have 3 amazing dogs, a chow/husky mix named Codi who is my very best friend and two min pins - Rowdee and Babygirl who belonged to my mom but we adopted them when she passed away as I could not bear getting rid of them, they were and have remained my connection to her.  I have 2 brothers, one in Kentucky (Nick) and one in Ohio (Bill) and my baby sister Becca who recently moved to Alaska they are my only remaining family and I love them all fiercely. We are very close and watch the Walking Dead on Face-time together every Sunday, when its not on hiatus.

My husband, Chris and our mini Babygirl

My min pin Rowdee, shes a goofball

The absolute love of my life, Codi

As I said previously I am currently an Earth/Space Science major but will be transferring to Stetson Spring of 2018 for my masters degree in Chemistry. I am looking forward to this semester although I am apprehensive about going on the boat for our lab explorations as I have gotten extremely sea sick in the past but I am open to all new adventures and look at them as learning experiences, what doesn't kill me makes me stronger right?

Rachel UR- From Robots to the Sea

Hello, everyone! My name is Rachel Meister and I just turned twenty this month. I was born and raised in the state of Florida, but I don't know where my life will take me to next. My plan is to become an oceanographer that specializes on the arctic sea.

2014 robot designed to throw an exercise ball

In high school I was in a technology academy that had a have emphasis on engineering. I quickly joined the local robotics team and fell in love with the field. My team went through a company called FIRST robotics. FIRST is a world wide movement to get kids more involved in fields like engineering and programming. They design a game for you to play every year which can range from shooting basketballs into a hoop to climbing up a steal pyramid. These robots weren't  little either. They normally weighed anywhere from 90-120 pounds and could reach over 6 feet high. Below is a video of our 2013 robot climbing a steal pyramid. This robot weighed 97 pounds.

 I went into my senior year convinced that I was going to be an engineer before deciding that the water was where I belonged. Ocean engineering was my fall back ,about half way through my senior year, and by the time I graduated I had switched fully into marine science. You can say I've done a complete 180 from where I was heading to where I am now.

My best friend Courtney (left) and I (right) the day that we graduated highschool

Deanna, UR- Intorduction

Hello, everyone! I am Deanna and I am twenty-years old. I am proud to say that I was born and raised here in the state of Florida, with no plans of ever leaving the state. Growing up in Flagler County, with not much to do, I spent all my time outdoors. Whether I was fishing, playing in the mud or just running through the woods- I was always outside. And not much has changed.


Me, on the back of a live untapped alligator
for my 20th birthday.

I started my education at Daytona State College when I was a senior in high school, back in 2012-2013. Since then, I have actually graduated with my A.A. degree, majoring in Criminal Justice, in May of last year. I know it sounds weird that I went from Criminal Justice to Environmental Science Technologies but I want to work with Florida FWC, hopefully as a law enforcement officer, so the two actually do connect for me.

I am looking forward to this class and working with y'all!

Freddie;UR-ocean intellect

Hey everyone my name is Freddie Bryant i am a naturalist and i love nature. I am a new student to the science department and well aware of the wonders of science. My major is marine biology. I found that my best subject is science being as though it is easier to retain do to my interest of this living entity we know as mother earth. I am looking forward to excelling my knowledge in oceanography and meeting great personalities along the way finding my true path along side others with the same objective. I love the ocean and all aspects of its endless vast blue beauty. This is a new experience for me actually getting to go out and do hands on research and I am happy to be a student of Dr. Woodall. It will surely help me to expand my knowledge of what I know and what I don't. I hope to get better at posting blogs and making our science community aware of the unaware. Most of all I am excited to be apart of  the institute of marine and environmental studies and that I get to contribute my research with you all.

Cocoa Beach FL.

Skin so black its golden.

Love living life on the edge.

I love Oceanography.

Dave - UR, Delightfully Unconventional

Ocracoke Island, NC before Hurricane Irene, 2011

     My name is Dave. I'm a 32-year-old Disabled Combat Veteran and undergraduate researcher at Daytona State College, thanks to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. I am a native of Ocracoke Island, NC, and now live in Ormond-by-the-Sea, FL.
     I joined the US Army in 2002, and attended Airborne School in 2003, graduating as a very proud young Paratrooper. I then served at Ft. Bliss, TX as a Patriot Missile Operator/Maintainer, until I decided to reclassify as a Blackhawk Maintainer/Crew Chief in 2005.  I subsequently moved to Ft. Bragg, NC, and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.
     While there, I deployed in support of Joint Task Force Katrina - 2005, Operation BAT - 2006, and Operation Enduring Freedom VIII - 2007. While in Afghanistan, I re-enlisted for another 6 year contract and reclassification to Cavalry Scout.  Four months after coming home, I was shooting on private property at a friend's house, and someone in attendance negligently discharged a pistol, sending a round through my hand. I was hospitalized and underwent four reconstructive surgeries, postponing Scout training until the end of 2008.

Drug plane crashed near Norman's Cay, 2006

     In 2009, I was transferred out of the 82nd Airborne Division, to help stand up 1/38th Cavalry Squadron (R&S), in the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps, Ft. Bragg.  In 2010, I attended and graduated the Army Sniper Course, before deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom X/XI - 2010/2011. While there, I decided that I would not re-enlist again, and I departed the Army in 2013 with an Honorable Discharge. 

B Trp. Snipers in Kandahar Province, Afg., 2010

     Afterwards, I moved to Daytona Beach, and worked as a bar back and bouncer. I then opened Griffin Gun Works in South Daytona, and ran my gun shop for the next year. We worked hard and ran the business, but were forced to close in the summer of 2014.  A subsequent investigation revealed that our CFO had been embezzling funds the whole time. We are still pursuing legal action. 
     New Years Day, 2015, was extremely uncomfortable. What little savings I had after the gun shop closed was almost gone, and my daughter Bonnie had been born only a couple months earlier. I was an unemployed gunsmith with an infant daughter. I worked Bike Week to keep my family afloat, but my body told me afterwards that I couldn't make a living of it.  I reached out to my closest Sniper mentor, and sought advice. He told me to get my butt into college as soon as possible, if for no other reason than to ensure that my family was taken care of. 

Well behaved Combat Vets at Willie's Chopper Show, 2014

      In May of last year, I rushed myself through the admissions process at Daytona State College, to enroll for the summer semester.  That's right. I started college when others were trying to vacation, and I loved it. I was hooked.  I made President's List in my first semester, and I promised myself then, that I would see this journey all the way through to a Ph.D. in Marine Mammology. Then came the fall semester, and things really kicked into high gear...

So what happened next?

Well, I suppose you'll have to come back next week and find out!

Chris Browne UR -The Animal I Am

   
     This is what sound waves look like. Frequency and pitch change can create an elaborate interesting view on what sound is and how it effects us and nature. This is a great picture to start with and explains alot about Oceanography and the things that really get me going. I am no stranger to thinking on a large, interconnected scale to help me in this class.
   

 
      Well, I am pleased to be in another class with Dr. Woodall. I am one semester and an internship away from graduation. Here to enjoy, learn and discover some new things out. I have lived on, worked in, and raced upon the ocean my whole life. Raised in New England, I call Florida my home now for over 10 years. I have had a strong sense of science my whole life, and I hope to teach, learn and enrich the minds of all in return.

~Chris Browne

Pedro;UR-new to blogging

    Hello, my name is Pedro Alicea, I'm both excited and a bit anxious about this semester. I decided to enroll in school in 2013 when I learned I would be having a baby. I was excited to learn DSC had an environmental science program because, since I was a kid I always had been interested in nature. I grew up in the city of Bridgeport, CT. It's a lot more city than nature there but, the city offered parks good for fishing and trails through wooded areas. I'm a pisces and I like to believe that's the reason I'm into almost everything aquatic. I have a wonderful family that keeps busy year round a beautiful girlfriend and three very energetic children. I can't wait to see what new subjects Dr. Woodall has in store for us and I hope together we can make a great team and make a positive contribution to our environment.

Andrew 7, Kadi 6, Gaige 2 

Samantha- CUR, Intro Part II

Participating in Sea grass surveys.

Hello. My names is Samantha and I am continuing my undergraduate research at Daytona State College.  How I became involved in science began predominately with my interest in the Miami Dolphins. Football fan ---> scientist, weird. Well I should start off by saying I am weird.  I was born and raised in New Jersey around obnoxious, Italian, die hard Giants fan, my family(whom I love).  My dad however decided to be an outcast and become a Dolphins fan(mainly because he loves Dan Marino).  Anyways while my obnoxious family insisted I become a Dolphins fan I urged the argument, "Giants play unfair because they are giant.  The dolphins are cute and sweet therefore, fair."  Give me a break I was 4.  This perception I had for Dolphins along with yearly visits to SeaWorld led me to my future dream of becoming a dolphin trainer.  Typical kid stuff right?  I was fascinated by the marine life at Sea World especially the mammals.  Jumping through rings and splashing around with the alluring grin.  Lights flashing and trainers whistling, it seemed as though Marine Mammal training at SeaWorld was the greatest job in the world.  Soon after my 19th birthday however I came to find out I did not want to work at Sea World at all.  What i failed to realize was that a dolphins' smile is natures greatest deception.  No aquarium, no tank, however spacious it may be can begin to duplicate the conditions of the sea.   My feelings for captivity had changed drastically over the year and that is when my aspiration in becoming a marine mammal trainer came to an end.  No longer did I want to engage my time and knowledge presenting alongside of Shamu.  I wanted to protect Shamu and every other animal being held in captivity for show.  Well, Im not Rick O'Barry.  However I do have a great desire in protecting marine organisms as well as the habitat and environment surrounding.

Chlorophyll Extracts

           In 2013 I moved to Florida and began participating in volunteer opportunities in the area  pertaining to promoting and educating others about conserving the marine environment.  

I was able to partake in seagrass surveys conducted by Marine Discovery Center which gave me an introduction to water quality and how it can be effected naturally or anthropogenically.  Last semester I was able to land a class with Dr. Woodall where who encouraged my science career and helped me achieve what I have today.  I began my first undergraduate research project pertaining to the result of Anthropogenic Pollution discharging into Canal Street Canal which is being continued this semester.  In the Spring of 2017 I plan to graduate with my AA in Marine Sciences and transfer to hmm well somewhere (although I have colleges in mind I have decided on one specific) focusing on biology and conservation of the marine environment.  My goal now and in my future is to be able to educate the public on anthropogenic pollution in the marine environment and find ways to conserve all of the wondrous nature that this planet bestows upon us. 

Seabird in Canal next to floating plastic

plastics lying above storm drain that empties in the Canal

Mike Introduction

Howdy everyone. My name is Mike Bradley and I am 26 years old. I was born in Connecticut but I moved to Florida 16 years ago. I live in Bunnell, Florida with my wife Jen, my 1 year old son Finley. I am an avid outdoorsman, I like hiking, hunting, shooting and above all else my life revolves around fishing. I always tell everyone that if all I had was a fishing pole and a tent by a river I’d be set for life. I left my job as a lawn technician for a pest control company to pursue a degree in environmental science technology.

Me in my boat

 

Having fun at my old job

My wife Jen and me






 

Emily UR- Introduction

Me, diving at Epcot!

Greetings! My name is Emily Reyes; I'm 21 & graduating this spring with my A.S. in Environmental Science Technology. Upon completion, I intend to leave Florida for an undetermined amount of time to traverse the country from coast to coast experiencing all that I can and seeing as many natural parks as possible. Returning to "adulthood" in Florida after my journey, I plan to finish the required prerequisite courses at Daytona State to allow me to transfer to the College of Environmental Science and Forestry in New York. I was born and raised on Long Island in a very urban setting but I've always been drawn magnetically to nature. From as far back as I can remember I've looked to the night sky with complete amazement and walked barefoot in the grass with infinite gratitude for this planet and all its inhabitants. I couldn't be happier to have discovered environmental science as a career path as everything I love to do takes place in the great outdoors!

Step-sister Stella (left) & Korra (right)

Here in Florida, where I've been living for two years this July, I've just been having oodles of fun. Currently, I'm employed at Zoom Air, a zipline adventure course in Tuscawilla Park. When I'm not at work, I'll take advantage of any and every opportunity to go diving, surfing, fishing, on a day trip or just take the time to read. On day one of this year, a beautiful dog wandered into my life and I named her Korra. She's currently living with her step-sister and her alpha while I learn a bit more about being a pack leader myself. During this final semester of my degree, I'm really excited to be able to work in the laboratory environment and begin analyzing samples collected from the field. I love knowing that when it comes time to find a place to settle, I'll be able to rely on my own skills and knowledge to determine the health of the environment in said settlement area and how it impacts myself and others. In the long term picture of life, I hope to find myself working on a research station in Antarctica for a little while but we'll see where this life thing takes me.
I look forward to working with everybody as we all advance in our respective fields!

Renee Moody, UR: Salutations and such...

Hello fellow scientists!! I am Elizabeth Renee Moody (Renee is the name most likely to garner a timely response from me) and I am excited to begin my undergraduate research with Daytona State College.

My first foray into environmental science came from helping my grandmother in her garden. I will never forget how good fresh string beans are or the exhilaration of being seven and sneaking pearl onions right out of the ground and before their time because the slightly sour, early onions are best. Grandma Moody began my lessons in respect for our earth and how important it is to our own survival (her simple terms: Bad Dirt and Bad water = bad food). She also taught me that one person can make a huge difference though I don't think she meant to teach me that. That was a happy accident. ;) 

I also have an awesome immediate family that keeps me inspired!

(Right to left) Brian, Alex and Skye!

My fiance, Brian, put life back into my desire to help our planet three years ago and after a lot of hard work I'll be graduating with my AS this spring(FINALLY!!) He also shares my nerdy loves like Star Wars(notice his shirt) and comic books. (He's a die hard Hulk fan, I'm a Captain America and Deadpool fangirl)
The tall, gangly one is Alex my step son. He is 14 and getting started on his Eagle Scout project (so HUGE KUDOS from me to the Eagle Scouts out there!!) I am crazy proud of him and he gets along great with me and my little girl: Skye.
Skye is 8 and says she wants to do something with animals when she grows up. She is "so jealous that mommy gets to do real science". I just remind her she is only in third grade and I'll let her tag along when I can. lol

Second to my love for my family is my love of plants!! In particular carnivorous plants! I own three myself: two pitcher plants pictured below and a camera shy bladder wort. I have been captivated by a Florida native species of pitcher introduced to me by DSC's own Dr. Ray Emmett. I have become so enamored with our native pitcher that I plan to make them the stars of my research this semester. I would like to know more about the conditions of their preferred habitat with hopes that I can help Dr. Emmett discover more specimens and determine what conditions would be favorable for pitcher plant seeds to establish in. 

This is Poppit my first tropical pitcher plant.

This is Behemoth(AKA Beh), my newest tropical pitcher plant.

Poppit (top left) was a gift from Brian and is in the top 5 favorites of all the gifts he ever got me. Along with a coffee tree currently in a giant tea cup shaped pot on the porch. She's a little sad looking from the cold weather right now and preferred not to be photographed. ;)
Behemoth or Beh for short (below to the left) I rescued from the discount rack of a really cool plant nursery in Deland: EFG Orchids. As their name implies they specialize in orchids. Their prices are a bit high but their plants are healthy and the staff is very knowledgeable.

Here in Florida we have a different sort of pitcher plant, the hooded pitcher plant which is in the family Sarraceniacea according to Dr. Emmett which grows in a clumping fashion with tall horizontal pitchers rather than the vining growth and hanging, trumpet like pitchers seen in Poppit and Beh who are part of the Nepenthes family(per hours of google picture searches and comparisons). Hopefully I'll have some pretty pitcher pictures to show everyone a comparison next post as Poppit has finally started making some new pitchers despite the cold snap and I plan to visit my Floridian buddies over the coming weekend to see how the cold and wild boar have been treating them.


I have also come to be recognized (quite by happy accident) by my talent and enthusiasm for Geographic Information Systems(GIS). So if anyone would like to incorporate some mapping but aren't sure exactly what kind or how to let me know I love to help! Oh and spoiler alert: Provided that I get my handheld technology problem taken care of I will be using several neat GIS apps provided by ESRI such as the Collector and the Operations Dashboard. The app names are links to the official ESRI information pages for the apps for anyone who may be interested in using them or just wants to learn more.
Well I do believe I've gotten my ramblings out of the way. I can't wait to learn more about my fellow students along with my pitcher plants this semester!

And because Dr. Woodall seemed quite adamant we should have a picture of ourselves on here...
Me and Batman enjoying the cool fresh air on the back porch this past Saturday!