mentorshark dialogs 2014

MENTORSHARK DIALOGS

January 2014 | Issue 2

Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center Peer Mentorship Program 8000 North Ocean Drive Dania Beach, FL 33004 Email: [email protected]

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION- PEER MENTORS, FELLOWS AND STAFF STUEY AWARD CEREMONY, APRIL 2013

Vision Statement NSU OC’s Peer Mentorship Program strives to enhance the NSU community among oceanographic students by providing guidance to all students as they navigate the dynamic currents of graduate school, and to provide networking opportunities that will expand our students’ social and academic responsibility in their marine science careers, while establishing a sense of community at the OC.

Biography The Graduate Peer Mentorship Program (funded by the PPOHA Title V grant) is comprised of graduate students studying marine biology, marine environmental sciences, and coastal zone management. The program’s purpose is to assist new students in social, personal, and academic acclimation to the Oceanographic Center. Our peer mentors serve as leaders while developing positive student engagement. As leaders, mentors engage our graduate students in activities that raise environmental awareness, provide marine research guidance, facilitate professional opportunities and diversify the OC.

Enrichment We are proud to be recognized by Nova Southeastern University, one of the most diverse universities in the country. NSU is particularly special because the university encourages underrepresented groups to progress and excel in the STEM sciences.

Recognition

The mentorship program was nominated for Graduate Student Organization of the Year in 2013. During the Student Life Achievement Award Ceremony supporting all the accomplishments the Peer Mentorship Program achieved!

MENTORSHIP… A COLLABORATIVE MOVEMENT!

mailto:[email protected]

MENTORSHARK DIALOGS |Issue 2

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On August 24th, 2013, the Oceanographic Center’s Peer Mentorship Program welcomed over 25 new students. Mentors and mentees met for the first time and had the opportunity to connect and establish goals for the 2013-2014 academic school year. The mentors welcomed all new students with the OC Mentor Music Video: “A Day in the Life of a Graduate Student Marine Biologist.”

During Welcome Week events, new students participated in two Sneak Peak programs, which introduced new students to OC research and networking opportunities in various research labs. A special thanks to student presenters: Aarin Conrad-Allen: Marine Mammals Lab Joe Hornbeck, Kayelyn Simmons, Travis Moore, and Max Appleman: Fisheries Lab Ian Rodericks and Amanda Costaregni: GIS and Spatial Ecology Lab Lauren O’Connell and Shira Jaye Anteby: Marine Microbiology Lab Cody Bliss-Coral Restoration Lab Allison Santos: System Biology and Geo Lab Andrew Calhoun: Remote Sensing Lab

Mentorship Welcome Lunch

The Peer Mentorship Program hosted its second annual “Mingling Munch Wednesday: Bake-Off” during Welcome Week events. In addition, OC SGA sponsored sandwiches for the lunch. All students, faculty, and staff participated in the festivities.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip– Bake Off Winning Recipe – 1st place Crystal Bass

Special thanks to Melissa Dore, Director of Academic Support and Administration, who provided a presentation entitled, “Plan for the finish: A Guide Through the M.S. Degree Program.” New students gained valuable insight and suggestions on how to make their graduate experience a successful one.

Key Lime Cake – Bake Off Winning Recipe -2nd place Dave Kerstetter

Banana Cream Pie – Bake Off Winning Recipe -3rd place Alicia Anania

Kick Off-Fall Orientation- Week Highlights

MENTORSHARK DIALOGS

Mentorship Welcome Week Experience with Science Eye New students explored the biodiversity of Florida’s unique ecosystem in the Everglades. Beranda Harper from Science Eye was our experienced guide as students hiked through the Sawgrass Prairie. In addition, students had an opportunity to learn about the Everglades and participate in an airboat investigation of the Everglades. Students learned about water depth, pH and temperature, bird and other animal populations, water samples, anthropogenic effects on the ecosystem, island ecology and political considerations.

The Outreach Committee collected 67 items from the Oceanographic Campus and another 25 items from the Parker Building on NSU’s main campus. A total of 92 items! With the funding for supplemental food programs reduced, our donations will be able to help many families in Broward County. Peer Mentors also organized a movie viewing and discussion on global hunger awareness.

Committee mentor members:

• Sonia Ahrabi-Nejad, Lead Mentor

Danielle Sattelberger

Eric Burdette

Aarin Conrad Allen

Jennifer Savaro

Mentorship Committee Programing Mentorship program hosts food drive and collects canned goods for the Broward County Food Bank


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Educational Programing The Peer Mentor Educational Committee, along with the OCSGA, collaborated on holding a REEF Fish ID workshop for OC students. Over 20 students participated in this interactive ID and dive session.


Kristina Trotta, Former Lead Mentor

Crystal Bass

Ian Rodericks

Chris Grissett

Matt Ware

Civic Engagement Programing The Civic Engagement Committee outreached to middle school students at New River Middle School. OC students presented on various marine science related topics and how to prep for college.


Joe Hornbeck, Lead Mentor

Alicia Anania

Amanda Costaregni

Lauren O’Connell

Jesse Secord, OC student participant

Katie Correia, OC student participant

Mentee Reflections from M.S. Student Ginevra Boldrocchi Anyone, who has studied in the US, always told me that universities are completely different from ours… it couldn’t be so true. Since now it has been a such diverse academic experience that has exceeded all my expectations. Everything is completely new for me, from a merely organizational point of view up to the way courses are taught. In my country we are used to a very rigid approach which is mainly based on studying mountains of books and the practical part is seen just through binoculars. Coming from a such diverse context, the Peer Mentorship Program has played a really important role in my integration at Nova. Having a mentor who is ready to help you and facilitate your transition into graduate school, it really makes the difference. It is useful not only on a practical point of view, but also from a human prospective. From the first day I felt the OC students like a new family and this is mainly thanks to the Peer Mentorship Program which is make you feel part of the program from the very beginning.


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Kristina Trotta, Former Lead Mentor for Education

Kristina Trotta is excited to join the mentor team as the Lead Mentor - Education. She is entering her final year at the Oceanographic Center and is working with the fisheries lab on commercial fishing socioeconomics in the Gulf of Mexico. Kristina did her undergraduate work at the University of Miami and has been an advocate for the Everglades, a science teacher and a dive instructor prior to attending the OC. When not working, she likes to dive, volunteer on classmates projects, root for the Hurricanes, read, and watch embarrassing television. This year she is most looking forward to meeting new students and collaborating to create fun, new programming to help bring the campus together! Please contact her if you have any ideas you'd like to see happen at the OC. ([email protected])

Sonia Ahrabi-Nejad, Lead Mentor for Outreach

Sonia Ahrabi-Nejad is an M.S. student in the Marine Biology track. She is from Massachusetts, and received her B.S. in Biology with a marine concentration from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Her thesis work in the Fisheries Research Laboratory with Dr. Dave Kerstetter is researching the reproductive periodicity and fecundity of blackfin tuna, little tunny, skipjack tuna, and escolar using histological techniques. She enjoys scuba diving, traveling, and teaching science to children. she chose to become a mentor because her own mentor was extremely helpful in making it an easy transition into graduate school in Florida, and she wants to help new students in the same way. Additionally, she wants to bring new students and current students together to explore the science and culture of South Florida. ([email protected])

Joe Hornbeck, Lead Mentor for Civic Engagement

Joe Hornbeck received his Bachelor's degree from Washington College, in Chestertown, MD in Environmental Studies in 2009. As an undergraduate, he was fortunate enough to take part in a research course that had him travel around Ecuador, Galapagos Archipelago, and the Amazon Rainforest studying ecology. Joe spent his summers in college interning at Rutgers University's CapeShore Facility, an aquaculture laboratory specializing in Eastern Oyster husbandry, in Cape May, NJ. This experience led him to a job in Sitka, AK in 2010 where he reared Coho salmon at a remote site only accessible by floatplane. In August of 2012, Joe entered the M.S. Marine Environmental Science program at NSU's Oceanographic Center. Currently, Joe focuses on the Fisheries Science and the associated political, social, and economic elements that shape management decisions. He spends a good chunk of his free time in the Fisheries Lab processing samples, analyzing the stomach content of various pelagic fish species, or collecting samples at various local fishing tournaments. Outside of school, Joe likes to go fishing, diving, hiking, and anything else that keeps him outdoors and active. If you have any questions for him or want to go diving, just drop him a line! ([email protected])





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Aarin-Conrad Allen, Peer Mentor

Aarin-Conrad Allen is a second-year graduate student at Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center (OC) working toward his Masters of Science in Marine Biology. His past work has been in marine mammal strandings, rescue and rehabilitation, as well as marine mammal behavior. He is presently involved in research with the United States Geological Survey in Gainesville, FL, working on bioenergetics of West-Indian manatee populations within Central America. His other projects include: Florida manatee microbiology and pathology, stranding behavior and social interactions of Kogia sp. (pygmy and dwarf sperm whales) and beaked whales, as well as assisting with lionfish research throughout Florida. Aarin is a second year mentor at the OC, and cites the importance of mentorship he received in his academic and professional career as the main reason to be a mentor to incoming OC students and current OC colleagues. In his time away from marine mammals and the OC, Aarin is an avid scuba instructor, cave diver, and ice hockey player. ([email protected])

Eric Burdett, Peer Mentor

Eric Burdett is a graduate student pursuing his M.S. degree in Marine Biology and currently works in the Deep Sea Biology Lab and is doing a thesis on deep sea shrimp collected from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Eric pursued his undergraduate studies in Biology and Minored in Marine Science and Chemistry at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania (THE ROCK!). He chose to become a mentor because he loves meeting new people, networking, and expand his knowledge in the field of Marine Biology. His hobbies include, but are not limited to, hanging out with friends, watching sports (GO STEELERS!), and making horrible jokes! He’s always ready to have fun, make a difference, and have adventures! ([email protected])

Amanda Costaregni, Peer Mentor

Amanda Costaregni is pursuing her dual degree in Marine Biology and Coastal Zone Management. He currently works in Dr. Brian Walker’s GIS and Spatial Ecology Lab. Her hobbies include scuba diving, surfing, volleyball, working out, and traveling. She wants to be a part of NSU OC Peer Mentor Program because she feels that is important to have some peer guidance when arriving in an unfamiliar place. It makes the transition much easier. ([email protected])





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Ian Rodericks,M.P.H. Peer Mentor

Ian Rodericks is a joint M.S. student in Marine Biology and Coastal Zone Management. He currently works in the GIS and Spatial Ecology Lab under the direction of Dr. Brian Walker. Ian has worked with Dr. Charles Messing in the Deep-Sea invertabrates lab. He grew up in Southwest Louisiana where he attended McNeese State University for a B.S. in Biological Sciences and Louisiana State University for a Master’s in Public Health. He’s a huge fan of all kinds of music. He enjoys meeting new people and helping them adjust to South Florida life. His hobbies include diving, fishing, hunting, reef aquariums, and golfing. He looks forward to meeting everyone and is happy to answer questions regarding graduate program. ([email protected])

Matthew Ware, Peer Mentor

Matthew Ware is a second-year graduate student at Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center (OC) working towards a joint M.S. in Marine Biology and Marine Environmental Science. He completed his B.S. in Biology at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA with minors in Chemistry and Leadership Studies. Matthew sees mentorship as an excellent way to introduce people to new activities, new ways of thinking, forge new and potent connections between students, faculty, staff

and the community. Every individual has incredible potential and can offer valuable insight into almost any problem. In his opinion, the goal of mentorship is to make that potential blossom through a multitude of resources. Matthew is from Doylestown, PA, and Eagles fans, and an avid diver. He has been certified up through Divemaster at Nova and works with the Academic Dive Program. He works with the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program and Diver’s Direct. He enjoys traveling and has studied abroad in the Galapagos Islands, the Bahamas, and Oxford University in England. Matthew enjoys hanging out with friends and is always willing to help anyone with any questions. ([email protected])

Danielle Sattelberger, Peer Mentor

Danielle Sattelberger is a Marine Biology and Coastal Zone Management major at the Oceanographic Center. As an undergraduate, she studied Biological Sciences at the University of Connecticut. Her current research focuses on the Florida manatees, but has also worked with Stellar sea lions, northern fur seals, harbor seals, and African penguin. She chose to become a mentor because she was given a lot of help and guidance, and she would lie to do the same for the new incoming class. Danielle is able to answer any questions or concerns the new students may have and she hopes to make this time a great experience for them. Her interests and hobbies include swimming, scuba diving, and traveling. ([email protected])

Lauren O'Connell, Peer Mentor

Lauren O’Connell is a second year M.S. Marine Biology student. Her thesis is focused on next generation sequencing of bacteria and water quality testing in Port Everglades Inlet. Lauren wants to be a peer mentor because she believes it is important to help incoming students transition into graduate school, give them advice and guidance and answer any questions or concerns they may have. ([email protected])

Alicia Anania, Peer Mentor

Alicia Anania is originally from Connecticut and transferred from Eastern Connecticut State University during her junior year of undergrad to Nova Southeastern University where she obtained her B.S. in Marine Biology. She is a student in the Fisheries Research Lab under the direction of Dr. David Kerstetter and pursuing research on isotopic turnover rates in dies changes of fish. Alicia chose to be a mentor because she loves to be involved and help out other when entering unknown environment because we have all gone through it one way or another. She currently works at Miami Seaquarium as an educational instructor and absolutely loves her job! Her hobbies include sailing, kayaking, fishing, snorkel, travel and just be out near the water or walk the beach. ([email protected])

Meet Your NSU OC Peer Mentors





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Chris Grissett, Peer Mentor

Chris Grissett is a second year student in the M.S. Marine Biology track. He is originally from the Tampa area of Florida and holds both a B.S. in Biology from Saint Petersburg College and a B.A. in Finance from the University of South Florida. He is currently working with Dr. Self-Sullivan on his thesis research looking at the effects of power plant closures on local and transient Florida manatee populations in Port Everglades. His hobbies include scuba diving, kayaking and other outdoor activities, as well as photography and video production. He currently is a lab assistant on main campus NSU in the fields of marine biology and ecology. Chris also volunteers with the Sea to Shore Alliance and assists them with studies on manatees. Chris became a part of the Peer Mentor Program in order to assist incoming OC students with the transition from undergrad to graduate life as well as with the transition to South Florida life. His goals are to help create opportunities for his mentees and help them along their associated degree track and with their eventual research or capstone projects. ([email protected])

Jen Savaro, Peer Mentor

Jen Savaro is a third year graduate student at the Oceanographic Center pursuing a joint M.S. degree in Marine Biology and Coastal Zone Management. She is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and completed her B.S. in Marine Science at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina. Under the direction of Dr. Amy Hirons, Jen is using stable isotope analysis to investigate the connectivity between mangroves and offshore reef fish populations. She enjoys diving, swimming, and traveling. Her personal experiences these past years have been filled with a combination of invaluable learning and adventurous opportunities. Jen feels that she has the responsibility to share her experiences with the next class and to assure them that it is worth going through the complications of first year struggles. ([email protected])

Crystal Bass, Peer Mentor

Crystal Bass is an M.S. student in the Marine Biology track. Her research interests are marine mammal cognition, communication and bioacoustics. She enjoys scuba diving, kayaking, and other water-related activities. She also enjoys photography, sketching and painting. The reputation of a graduate program at any university is dependent on the quality of students that it produces. Crystal believes that mentoring new students and helping them to acclimate to the graduate college experience will help the NSU OC produce the highest quality graduates. This enhances both the university's reputation and value of degree programs. As a peer mentor, she wants to make the NSU OC the best graduate experience possible for new students. ([email protected])

Event Pictures

OC students participate in t-shirt tie-dye for Shark Shuffle 5k walk/run October 2013.

Kayelyn Simmons presents to new students on lion fish research

New students enjoying welcome week lunch



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Joyce D. Varela, Administrative Assistant for Title V

Greetings!

Another year has come and I’m excited for what this year has in store for our mentorship program here at the Oceanographic Center. One of the most satisfying things about mentoring is seeing students give back by making a difference in their fellow peers and OC community. Mentoring has so much value by improving student satisfaction, faculty/student engagement, and academic performance. It’s very fulfilling to work with great mentors, students, faculty, and staff who desire to help each other and contribute to one another’s goals, both as students and as working professionals. I wish everyone a very satisfying and successful year!

Jazmin Letamendi, M.S. Outreach and Peer Mentorship Program Supervisor

Happy New Year!

Mentorship movement.... Jump in into the adventure! As we celebrate our third Annual Oceanographic Center National Mentoring Month awareness festivities! As I look back at the past two years and the challenges we have overcome, I am proud of how much the Peer Mentorship program has developed. I am infinitely grateful to have met such great colleagues at the OC, who have been instrumental in the success of this endeavor. I am also overwhelmed with the robust support from our students, staff, and faculty.

Nationally, STEM fields are still not representative of our diverse society. One of our tasks is to embrace diversity by supporting our academics and local community. In our stewardship as scholars, researchers, and community advocates, it is essential to embrace mentoring opportunities that come our way. I have learned a wealth of knowledge from many students in the marine sciences and continue to embrace all those opportunities to learn and grow! I challenge all of you to step out of your confront zone and find opportunities to support others, and establish meaningful relationships.

Memo from Program Staff


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Message from Fellows

Kayelyn Simmons Title V Fellow, Fisheries Lab Graduate Research Assistant

Hello! I am graduate student in the Dr. Kerstetter’s Fisheries Research Lab studying lionfish in the Western Atlantic and Caribbean. I am originally from Stone Mountain, GA and I love to train capoeira, go scuba diving, fishing, swimming, reading, and dancing! Being apart of the OC Graduate Peer Mentorship for the past two years has been a rewarding life experience for me. As a Title V Fellow, I am able to be a leader, role model, and a friend to my peers and incoming new students. One of the best things I love about the program is the constant encouragement from our T5 staff to be creative and become involved in outreach events. For New Student Orientation Week, I had the pleasure of creating a music video starring our mentors performing daily activities that graduate marine biology students are accustomed to such as diving, GIS modeling, and boating. This was a gratifying project because it allowed all of our mentors to paint a realistic picture of what it takes to be graduate marine biology student. I have also enjoyed helping develop the mentorship program’s first boat wash fundraiser in hopes of raising funds to support the longevity of the program and provide scholarships for new students. Through a training opportunity hosted by the program last year, I have been able to remain an active member in the Marine Animal Rescue Society (MARS) and volunteer during whale strandings in the South Florida area. I am very enthusiastic about this year’s mentors and all the opportunities the mentorship program offers!

Allison Santos Title V fellow, Systems Biology and Geology Lab Research Assistant

My second year as a Title V fellow has been quite the eye-opening experience! It was a pleasure to show the OC’s current research and even their baking skills to our first years during New Student Orientation. Slogging and blazing through the Everglades was a thrilling adventure for the new students as well thanks to Science Eye and our former lead mentor Beranda Harper. OC participants caught an impressive amount of lionfish and lobster during the REEF Fish ID Dive hosted by our Education Committee. Well done guys! Under Dr. Bernhard Riegl’s advisement, I am grateful to have broadened my marine mammal background this past year as an assistant for his Population Ecology course and aquarium coral studies. I am excited for this new year as the T5 team will be holding our first fundraiser to ensure the longevity of the Peer Mentorship Program and provide scholarships to our future mentors!

Allison and research crew during her visit in the Philippines


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Alicia Anania

Sonia Ahrabi-Nejad

Crystal Bass

Eric Burdett

Aarin Conrad

Amanda Costaregni

Christorpher Grissett

Joseph Hornbeck

Lauren O'Connell

Ian Rodericks

Allison Santos

Danielle Sattelberger

Jennifer Savaro

Kayelyn Simmons

Kristina Trotta

Matthew Ware

IN HONOR OF NATIONAL MENTORSHIP MONTH, WE WANT TO SAY THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THIS YEAR’S PEER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM!


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LEARN ABOUT MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCES! MentorShark Series: Mentor peer-led informal dialogues; conducted by educational, outreach, social committees.

January 9, 5:30pm-6:00pm Forman 100 Educational Committee

January 16, 5:30pm-6:00pm Forman 100 Outreach Committee

January 23, 5:30pm-6:00pm Forman 100 Civic Engagement Committee

INTERESTED IN MENTORING OPPORTUNITES? Come speak to us to learn more. We will provide hand-outs and welcome students back to class.

January 13, 6:00pm-6:30pm Forman lobby



Annual Block Painting

Volunteer and help us bring awareness on the importance of mentoring in the marine sciences

January 12, 10:00 am-2:00pm Main Campus Library Quad

Oceanographic Mentorship Summit Join us! Engage in interactive dialogues on mentorship topics and recognize our peer mentors

January 22, 5:30pm-6:25pm Forman 100

For more information contact: [email protected]

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: BOAT WASH FUNDARISER Help us to fundraise for the Peer Mentorship Program!

January25-26 , 6:00pm-6:30pm

For more information contact: [email protected]

Title Subtitle




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[Street Address] [City, ST ZIP Co

Community Stewardship

Ian Rodericks, Peer Mentor Gulf Coast Reef Society’s “Night of the Living Reef” Charity event for New Orleans Children’s Hospital Topic of presentation: “Bridging the Gap between Aquarists and Science”

Kayelyn Simmons Title V Fellow Kayelyn Simmons and Adam Nardelli, two Fisheries Research students studying lionfish volunteering at the 2013 REEF Lionfish Derby in Key Largo, Florida

Kayelyn Simmons and Jessy Adams volunteering at the Ladies Fish Off Tournament in Pompano, Florida Allison Santos, Kayelyn Simmons, Laura Eldredge volunteers with Marine Animal Rescue Society (MARS) along with NOAA, FWC, and others in Highland Beach in the Everglades of Florida with the stranded pilot whales.

mentorshark dialogs 2014

Documents

new students

graduate students

oceanographic students

students social

marine biology

graduate student organization

marine research guidance

marine environmental