Student Blogs & Vignettes

Sophia Chernoch

ABOUT MY RESEARCH

My marine science career began at Eckerd College, where I focused on marine sedimentology, stratigraphy, and short-lived radioisotope geochronology. For my undergraduate thesis, I investigated hurricane and anthropogenic impacts recorded in sediment cores from northern Cuba. I also worked with the USGS on a proxy-calibration study of Sr/Ca and O-isotopes in coral skeletal material from the Florida Keys, which sparked my passion for geochemistry and paleoclimate reconstructions. Since graduating from Eckerd in 2022, I have collaborated with nautical archaeologists on paleolandscape reconstructions, using seismic and geoarchaeological analyses for cultural resource management.

I am now pursuing my master’s at CMS under the guidance of Dr. Amelia Shevenell and Dr. Patrick Rafter, working with the COMIT group. My project will investigate paleoshoreline features on the west Florida shelf using MBES bathymetry. The goal is to enhance our understanding of sea level history in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

Why USF CMS?

I originally came to Florida to attend Eckerd College in 2018 and have called St. Pete home ever since. During my time at Eckerd and with the USGS, I met many CMS alumni who were role models and spoke highly of the program. Their praise and the program’s reputation inspired me to follow in their footsteps. I am incredibly grateful to be part of such a prestigious program and to study the ocean in such a beautiful location.