Student Blogs & Vignettes

Tiffany Raetzel

ABOUT MY RESEARCH

I work with Dr. Cameron Ainsworth in the Fisheries and Ecology lab. Our lab focuses on ecosystem modeling, and I am utilizing Ecopath to create food web models of both natural and artificial reef systems. The models are based off of diving data collected by Dr. Stalling’s group from local natural and artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. We are interested in understanding how the different reef types will respond to environmental stressors such as red tide events. This research is relevant to our local ecosystem and will help us better understand these two types of reefs and their resiliency towards harmful events.

WHY USF CMS?

I chose USF’s College of Marine Science because they are a leader in marine science research and academics and because of their convenient proximity to the water. St. Petersburg is also home to many other marine science agencies and institutes such as NOAA, Florida Fish and Wildlife, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and USGS which allow for collaboration and networking opportunities. Despite hailing from Michigan (Go Blue and Go Bulls!), I also happen to have quite a few family members residing in the Tampa area. And lastly, who wouldn’t want to live an hour and a half from the Happiest Place on Earth: Disney World!