Ivey (UR)--Just a little get to know me!

Hello Everyone!

I would love to start out by introducing myself my name is Ivy Gentry and I am 19 years old. I am currently going for a major in Marine Science or Marine Biology. I love the ocean more than most things in the world. My favorite animal are sea turtles, I even have a watercolored sea turtle tattoo. I care greatly about the environment. I have done many volunteer hours at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet. I have worked with sea turtles, string rays, many invertebrates, sharks and even with two different types of snakes one pine snake and a corn snake. My favorite animal to work with would have to be the stingrays. I got to help the guest feed and pet the sting rays correctly. As a volunteer, I have also been able to help with some of the turtle releases over the years.

In high school, I was also part of the AEMS academy which stands for Agriculture, Environmental, and Marine Science. With being a part of this academy, I was able to be in a marine science class where I got to take care of a shark, an eel, and a blue triggerfish. I was also able to participate in an aquaculture class during my senior year, in this class, I had to pick a species of fish to try and breed by the end of the year; however, with getting out of school earlier I was not able to see if they did breed. I also got to participate in many different field trips, like the ShORE event, Marine Science Center, etc. Ever since I was roughly seven-year-old I have wanted to be a marine biologist but just recently I have decided to move over into Marine Science to be able to do more with the environment and be able to work more in the ocean not just the biology of the sea animals.

Other than just school and science I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends. There many different things I enjoy doing with family and the main one would have to be going to Disney World. I am a huge Disney fan and have been to Disney World many times. I love taking pictures of different things from plants to pictures of my friends and family. I also enjoy going to the beach with friends, while on the beach I tend to walk and pick up any trash that I see.

This was my first tattoo! 

This is a picture that I took on my phone during the firework show.

Meeting Stitch at Magic Kingdom!

Whitney M. (UR) : This is just the beginning!

Hey! My name is Whitney. I am currently enrolled in the Marine Science Track. With a split goal of majoring in Oceanography (Biological) and Ocean Engineering. Originally from Ohio, raised barefoot, climbing trees and exploring forests in different states across the U.S.. From influences working on farms, in Veterinary offices and Automotive Shops I chose a path working as a Diesel Mechanic for a construction company. Throughout my time I spent most of my days in my bay working on loaders, semis and dump trucks. Being around this environment conflicted with my values as I have always had a passion for the nourishment and love of nature. I wanted to change the way I impacted the world an steer others in the right direction as well. Exploring my options in finding a balance I found inspiration in books, podcasts and educational talks. This decision did not come easy as I have only just met the ocean a few years ago and my understanding of its ways is still unfamiliar. I think in finding a path we love and can thrive in we need to find something that challenges us and combining my love for organisms and my fear of anything unpredictable. I look forward to the journey this semester, and the challenges I will face. This is only the beginning!

Bike Week Daytona Beach, FL

Shelling in Marineland, FL

Studying local birds in Ponce Inlet, FL

Alex Mercer (UR): Getting My Feet Wet

Hey everyone! 

My name is Alex Mercer. I’m a new member of the Oceanography Lab at Daytona State College. Originally from North Carolina and now here in Florida, I have always been around the water. I’m a Navy veteran who is now pursuing my degree in Ocean Engineering. Since I was a child, I've been fascinated by the ocean and all it has to offer and explore. I got certified as a rescue diver in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. However, I prefer to free dive and spearfish. On the weekends you can always find me at the beach surfing, fishing, or painting marine life with acrylics. Sharks have always been a huge interest of mine and I love diving with them and spending time in their environment, so shark conservation and tracking is something I’m very passionate about. I look forward to all the research and information I will be learning throughout this semester and I know I have a great team behind me to help me out and get my feet wet!

 

Free diving through a cave in Cuba.

Catching a wave at Ponce Inlet.

Swimming with sharks in Belize.

One of my favorite pieces I did in acrylic.

Holly-Noel (UR)- Just Testing the Water

I have always enjoyed going fishing with my family when I was younger, especially if it was salt water fishing. There would be some nights we would catch a variety of marine life, while others we would be lucky if we got a single bite. Now that I am older, I have begun to wonder why this maybe. For the research project I have brainstormed various ideas on how to incorporate this question.

Hammer Head Shark

Dunlawton Ave

Stingray

Dunlawton Ave

2016 Fishing Trip

Dunlawton Ave

 A question I have formed while brainstorming is, does the salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels of the water effect the abundance of marine life or their sizing?
In order to gather more information I could go to two locations; the Daytona Beach pier and of a bridge on 93 Dunlawton Ave, Port Orange. I would travel to these locations for the same amount of time during various mornings, nights, and afternoons to test the water salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels. I would like to also go out right after it rains for further testing. With this information I would begin to fish for a set amount of time while noting the various marine life I catch as well as there sizes. 

View of Dunlawton Ave Bridge

Underside of the Daytona Beach Pier

I hypothesis that the pier will have a higher salinity concentration and possibly cooler temperature due to being off the coast versus the more inland and possibly less salinity based and warmer location of the Dunlawton bridge. Also I will be able to collect data from the same types of marine life at both locations. At the Daytona Beach Pier I do have to take in account for noise as well as the guest possibly dropping food from the restaurants near by. At the Dunlawton bridge I will also have to keep in mind noise/ road vibrations from traffic as well as guest possible dropping food from the near by restaurants.

Ame Teaderman (UR) - A New Player has Entered the Match!

Greetings!

My name is Ame Teaderman, and I am a trans guy who is eagerly working towards finishing my Associative Science degree for Environmental Science and Technology in Daytona State College. Coming from a background immersed in science and the arts, I'm always interested in seeing the two connect in my everyday life, especially now that I have a growing fondness for the environment. When I'm not out and about observing nature, studying, or socializing on the rare occasion, I'm playing video games, hence the title. But more importantly, I'm also taking part in recreational writing and art, while using research to fuel my interests further and add weight to my words.

Enjoying the attractions at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Originating in Ohio, I moved down to Florida just before high school, and have travelled to various locations near and far, from the various state parks right here in Florida, to other places like Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, Washington DC, and Niagra Falls. I've even travelled out of the country a handful of times to visit family for a month out in Ukraine, and the rural, quiet scenery there really seeded my love and curiosity for the life around me. Since then, all of my experiences thus far have only served to fuel my love and various interests in nature, which currently include seabirds and various flora, but also encompass a wide variety of other wildlife, and the conditions they need to survive. It is my hope that this blog, and all of the opportunities I've had here in Daytona State College, will give me the start I need to find my place in the scientific community, and make a difference in whatever way I can. Until then, see you next week!

Jenna Fairchild (UR) - Translating My Love for the Ocean

Hello everyone!

My name is Jenna Jay Fairchild and I would like to introduce myself as a new member of the Oceanography lab at Daytona State College. After completing a year long conservation marketing internship with Costa Del Mar in the last year of my undergraduate degree, I fell in love with conservation and wanted to pursue a marine science graduate degree. In order to apply to a graduate program, I am gaining course credentials and research experience at DSC. 2020 will be a BIG year for me!

Most everything I love to do is centered around the ocean. I am an open-water diver who loves to adventure around Florida springs and caverns (see image below). I am a local surfer at Ponce Inlet who sees surfing as a way to be one with the ocean while riding along with the energy of a wave. I enjoy learning classic rock songs on my guitar and harmonica. And lastly, I find solitude by translating my love for the ocean through artwork of all sorts (see below).

As of right now, I am leaning in the direction of studying artificial reefs alongside Volusia County's Reef Research Dive Team for the Oceanography Lab. I can't wait to learn alongside everyone!

Groovy surfer piece I wood burned and enhanced with acrylics

Diving in The Ballroom at Ginnie Springs

Sincerely,

Jenna Fairchild

Jenna_fairchild@daytonastate.edu

Holly-Noel (UR)--the Beginning of a Tree Huggers Dream!

Hello reader, my name is Holly-Noel Monroe and I am currently enrolled in the Daytona State College Environmental Science and Technology program, while also working towards my Associates and Arts degree in Wild Life and Ecology Conservation. I have always lived in Florida, but I have traveled and experienced many wonderful environmental sites. Like these top two photos for example were taken in New York state parks. As you can see I also really love photographing trees and also taking photos hugging them as an ongoing family joke.

Hugging a tree in New York State Park

Do you remember being a graduating high school student and being asked "What do you want to do career wise?" countless times? You may have had an answer or maybe you did not, like me. I honestly was unsure of what path would suit me, but then one day I realized. Luckily, through volunteer service on a local horse farm I was given the inspiration to persue a higher education in environmental sciences. It has always been a childhood dream of mine to make a difference in the science community and work for a zoo. This research blog here will be that stepping stone to an excellent future career. I look forward to blogging my research further soon!