FKCC Showcases Student Research

KEY WEST, FL, December 14, 2017—The scientific work of six Florida Keys Community College students took the spotlight on campus this past Tuesday at the College’s first ever Student Research Showcase.  The event featured a variety of analyses, field work, and findings compiled by marine science students during internships and independent study experiences.  Topics included seagrass restoration, shrimp aquaculture, protected coral monitoring, spawning aquarium fish, octopus ecology, and pillar coral assessment.

“The quality of work and depth of knowledge demonstrated are rare even among graduate level students, and our students are only in their first two years of college,” said FKCC marine science professor Dr. Michelle Walsh.

FKCC plans to expand the event in upcoming semesters to include student research and internships across all fields of study at the College. “We are fortunate to have such dedicated faculty and industry partners to help our students find unique and rich experiences that will help them tremendously when they enter the workforce.” said Lana Sielski, FKCC’s Director of Marine Science and Technology.  “We’re looking forward to sharing more of our students’ successes in the future.”

Student Research Showcase photos:

FKCC student Hunter Ledbetter explains how a mother octopus protects her eggs in his study, “Octopus Life History and Ecology: An Annotated Photo-Technical Report.”  Ledbetter, who is earning associate degrees in Marine Environmental Technology and Diving, Business and Technology as well as certificates in Professional Dive Instruction and Professional Research Diving, chronicled two brooding octopus mothers daily in the College’s dive lagoon.

 

FKCC student Sara Rose Cagle points out damage to a segment of pillar coral found in the Dry Tortugas.  Cagle, who is earning an associate degree in Marine Environmental Technology and a certificate in Professional Research Diving, presented “Pillar of Hope: Identifying and Cataloging the Genotypes of Dendrogyra Cylindrus to Save the Species.”

FKCC student Emily Hower shares results of her study,” Long-Term Monitoring of Endangered Species Act-Listed Corals in the Dry Tortugas National Park.” Hower is earning associate degrees in Marine Environmental Technology and Diving, Business and Technology as well as a certificate in Professional Research Diving.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]