Student Blogs & Vignettes

Jessica Van Vaerenbergh

ABOUT MY RESEARCH

I am a first year M.S. student in the Stallings lab! My project focuses on reef fish ecology on artificial and natural reefs in the surrounding St. Pete’s coastal waters. I will be conducting underwater visual surveys and comparing my observations to data captured by an underwater camera system. I’ve always been super interested in understanding the patterns and dynamics of reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico by studying their populations, behaviors, and the community of the reef systems. After completing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida, I continued gaining field experience in several labs. While working at UF, I was able to develop a passion not only for science but for outreach by working with UF NCBS.  In the Limburger Lab, I studied gag grouper populations on artificial and natural reef systems. I then furthered my admiration for reef fish ecology and worked under William Patterson capturing videos of red snappers on ROVs to estimate their populations in the Gulf of Mexico. I am very eager for my next adventure in the Fish Ecology Lab at CMS to begin!

WHY USF CMS?

I chose the college of Marine Science at USF because I know I want to earn my masters in Florida! As a Florida native, I am continuously amazed by the magic Florida holds. With my past experience and love for understanding Florida marine ecosystems, particularly on our important reef systems, CMS provides an impeccable marine science community and vast academic opportunities to thrive. Dr. Stallings offered me the perfect opportunity to further hone my understandings in reef fish ecology and I couldn’t resist! I also grew up around Tampa and have always admired the charm and lovely costal atmosphere St. Pete holds! It was the perfect area to build the foundation of my career and enjoy life by the coast!