Meet the Scientist

Coastal Studies Institute is excited to offer a new monthly virtual community program that allows viewers to get to know some of the world-class coastal scientists at ECU and among our partner institutions.  “Meet the Scientist” gives us the opportunity to introduce you to the people behind the science being done along our shores and across the world.

Each month an interview conducted by Dean Reide Corbett will be live-streamed to our Youtube Channel where it is also recorded for later viewing. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions via the live chatbox. 

“Meet the Scientist” Schedule
November 11, 2020: April Blakeslee

In the first installment of this series, Dean Corbett will interview ECU Assistant Professor of Biology and 2019 ECU ICP Coastal Fellow April Blakeslee. Blakeslee will share her research on “zombie crabs” and host-parasite relationships found in coastal systems such as those in North Carolina.

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January  28, 2021:  Mike Muglia

In the second installment of this series, Dean Corbett will interview Dr. Mike Muglia, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Coastal Studies at ECU. Dr. Muglia will share his research on the Gulf Stream and his work on the possibility of using it as a renewable energy resource as part of the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Research Program.

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February 25, 2021: Lindsay Dubbs

In the third installment of this series, Dean Corbett will interview Dr. Lindsay Dubbs, Associate Scientist at the Coastal Studies Institute and Associate Director of the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP). Dr. Dubbs will highlight her research as a biogeochemist and ecosystem ecologist for CSI and the ecosystem characterization work that she has conducted in the Gulf Stream for the NCROEP. Dubbs will also share her interest in pelagic Sargassum and its roles in habitat provision, productivity, and nutrient cycling in the marine environment.

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March 25, 2021: Jim Morley
In the fourth installment of this series, Dean Corbett will interview Dr. Jim Morley, Assistant Scientist at Coastal Studies Institute and ECU Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology. Dr. Morley researches how marine species are affected by changes to estuarine and ocean habitats that result from human activity. During the interview, he will share his studies to determine how oyster culture affects the ecosystem services of estuarine habitats, particularly those in North Carolina.
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April 29, 2021: David Lagomasino

In the fifth installment of this series, Dean Corbett will interview Dr. David Lagomasino, Assistant Scientist at Coastal Studies Institute and ECU Assistant Professor in the Department of Coastal Studies. Dr. David Lagomasino uses Earth-observing satellites to make sense of when, where, why, and how coastal areas are changing around the world. During the interview, he will share how his studies can provide crucial information that helps inform better decisions about how to conserve, restore, and protect coastlines.

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June 3, 2021: George Bonner
In the sixth installment of this series, Dean Corbett will interview George Bonner, Director of the North Carolina Renewable Energy Program. Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Mr. Bonner will discuss some of the exciting research the program is undertaking in the field of renewable ocean energy development.
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July 15, 2021:
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Students
In the seventh installment of this series, Dean Corbett will interview students currently enrolled in the Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at the Coastal Studies Institute. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program provides summer opportunities for students to take part in authentic research activities. Hosted at the Coastal Studies Institute, in partnership with Clemson University, the University of Puerto Rico, and ECU, the students of the REU program are taking part in mentored research projects exploring resilience and adaptation to coastal change across coastal communities. Learn more about the project and the research being conducted by these dedicated students!
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September 30, 2021: Dr. Teresa Ryan
In the eighth installment of this series, Dean Corbett sits down with Dr. Teresa Ryan, Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering at ECU. Dr. Ryan has recently moved full-time to the ECU Outer Banks Campus and plans to be a “bridge” between the ECU Outer Banks Campus and the Department of Engineering based on main campus in Greenville. Dr. Ryan will facilitate fieldwork and research opportunities for students, as well as carry out her own research agenda. Ryan is currently performing field experiments and research to better understand sound propagation across water in a project funded by the Office of Naval Research. Tune in to learn more about this and other research undertaken by Dr. Ryan’s lab!
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November 18, 2021: Dr. Lela Schlenker
In the ninth installment of this series, Dean Corbett will sit down with Dr. Lela Schlenker, a Postdoctoral Scholar in the ECU Department of Biology at the Coastal Studies Institute. Dr. Schlenker is a fisheries eco-physiologist primarily interested in where, when, and why marine organisms move, and she is committed to doing applied research aimed at benefiting the management and conservation of commercially and recreationally important marine species. She is interested in the physiology of marine animals as well as the use of electronic tags and quantitative models for her research. Currently, she is working to understand the impacts of climate and environmental variability on three species of commercially important shrimp species in Pamlico Sound. In addition to research, Dr. Schlenker is passionate about science communication, as well as supporting under-represented people and advocating for student well-being in STEM-related fields. Learn more about Dr. Schlenker and her fascinating work during this episode of Meet the Scientist.
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January 26, 2022: Dr. Sid Narayan
In the tenth installment of this series, Dean Corbett will sit down with Dr. Sid Narayan, Assistant Professor in the ECU Department of Coastal Studies and Assistant Scientist at the Coastal Studies Institute. A civil and coastal engineer by training, Narayan investigates coastal hazards and sustainable adaptation solutions, with an emphasis on making science relevant and applicable to policy and decision-makers. His research focuses on understanding and identifying where and how coastal ecosystems like wetlands and reefs can be restored and managed to reduce risks to people at the coastline. Learn more about Dr. Narayan and his work with nature-based infrastructure during this episode of “Meet the Scientist”. 
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Led by East Carolina University (ECU), The Coastal Studies Institute is a multi-institutional research and educational partnership of the UNC System including North Carolina State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC Wilmington, and Elizabeth City State University.

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Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University.

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ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement.   ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.

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The faculty and staff at the Coastal Studies Institute come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, as well as departments and organizations including ECU Department of Biology, ECU Department of Coastal Studies, NC Sea Grant, the North Carolina Renewable Energy Program, and the UNC Institute for the Environment.

MEET THE TEAM

Tour the ECU Outer Banks Campus and learn about the research, education, and engagement projects of CSI and ECU Integrated Coastal Programs through our 360 virtual tour.

VIRTUAL TOUR

The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
Located on Roanoke Island along the banks of the second largest estuary
in the United States, this coastal campus spans 213 acres of marshes, scrub wetlands, forested wetlands, and estuarine ecosystems.

FACILITIES

SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS