Student Blogs & Vignettes

April Ellis

About my research

My research interests primarily include combining marine science and public health. I received my Masters of Public Health in Environmental Health from Emory University in May of 2020. My research specifically focuses on the interaction between microplastics in the ocean and potential human health impacts. I am working with Dr. David Naar and Dr. Larry Dishaw (USF Health) to analyze microplastics in the gut microbiome of Sea Squirts.

Why USF CMS?

I chose to attend USF College of Marine Science because there are so many resources available to me and my advisors are known for their incredible contributions to science. USF CMS meant that I could be hands on with the vessels and obtaining my data straight from the source. I also have access to USF Health with Dr. Dishaw’s lab near campus where I can combine my public health knowledge with marine science in a way that hasn’t been done before. This college allows me to be a pioneer in my research of microplastics and the potential human health impacts of the dangerous toxic chemicals that they are bad from.