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Graduate Student Resources

Student Resources

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology offers assistantships for students at the university who are pursuing advanced degrees and looking for employment opportunities.

 

Teaching Assistantships

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology offers teaching assistantships to students enrolled in the biology master's and marine biology master's and Ph.D. programs based on continued availability of funding.

Students must request these assistantships on the application, and selection will be based on an evaluation of academic records, recommendations, experience, and relevant criteria. Each teaching assistant will be assigned duties by the lab coordinator and graduate coordinator.

Responsibilities

The duties of assistantships include classroom instruction, professional development that is a critical component of becoming an effective teacher, and other duties as assigned by the chair.

These instructional duties will require no more than 20 hours per week, including time spent in laboratories and in preparation. Duties will generally involve preparing for and helping in the teaching of two or three 100, 200 or 300 level laboratories and/or performing preparation work for the laboratory.

Other duties may be assigned as appropriate.

Teaching Assistants are expected to be on campus and available for work assignments by registration, and to remain on campus through the period of final examinations. Arrival delays or early departures must be approved by the department chair.

When the 30-hour degree requirement has been met, the assistantship may be maintained by enrolling in GRC 600.

Awarded Assistantships

Teaching assistantships are awarded for one academic year. Master's students may normally expect to be continued for a second year and Ph.D. students for four years if performance is satisfactory.

Continuation of the teaching assistantship past those time periods is permissible (but not guaranteed) providing performance as a teaching assistant is acceptable and that satisfactory progress towards the appropriate degree has been made.

Students failing to perform their duties satisfactorily may have their assistantship revoked any time.

If you were not awarded a teaching assistantship upon admission, you may be considered for a teaching assistantship as positions become available.

You should notify the department graduate coordinator of your interest in being considered for a teaching assistantship.

Lab Descriptions

Nonmajors Course

Biological facts and principles concerning the human mind and body, genetics, and the environment. Labs are inquiry-driven and rely on the application of the scientific method.

Core Course

Introduction to principles governing living systems, especially the cellular and molecular basis of life. Laboratory exercises introduce basic laboratory and investigative skills.

Core Course

Evolution, classification, and diversity of life, stressing morphology, physiology, principles of adaptation, and relationships between biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems. Laboratory exercises introduce major taxonomic groups and biotic principles.

A comprehensive introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the human organism.

An introduction of microorganisms that affect humans, emphasizing pathogenic and related microorganisms.

Molecular biology and experimental biological systems used to elucidate cellular function. Experiments demonstrate basic phenomena underlying cellular function.

Demonstration of Principles of Mendelian heredity, linkage, mutation, population genetics and gene action through study of Drosophila and other genetic systems.

Introduction to the equipment and techniques for computer-based acquisition of physiological data, includes data analysis and presentations.

The coastal and oceanic biota and their relationship to the marine environment.

Introduction to ecological sampling techniques and data analysis, field sampling, laboratory and computer modeling, and scientific writing.

Techniques used to identify, culture and stain selected microorganisms.

Research Assistantships

Research assistantships will be offered by the department through individual faculty who have funds available from research grants or contracts.

Selection criteria will be similar to that required for teaching assistantships, but will emphasize the suitability of an applicant for a particular research program. Duties will be assigned by the professor administering the particular research project.

Research assistantships are typically awarded for one academic year.

However, under certain circumstances, research assistantships are awarded for a given semester or for the summer based on funds allocated in federal, state or private research grants of the faculty.

Current Doctoral & Master's Degree Program Students

Troy Alphin

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: alphint@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Marine Biology
Graduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Graduate Degree: M.S., Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Lawrence Cahoon

Ed Arb

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: eka9644@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology
Graduate Institution:UNC Wilmington
Graduate Degree: M.S. Marine Science
Advisor: Dr. Martin Posey

Jessica Carlton

Ph.D. in Integrative, Comparative & Marine Biology
Email:& jlc7022@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology & Environmental Science
Advisor: Dr. Martin Posey

Paige Casler

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: pkc2037@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Colorado - Boulder
Undergraduate Degree: B.A. Ecology & Evolutionary Bio
Graduate Institution: University of Miami
Graduate Degree: M.S. Marine Mammal Science
Advisor: Dr. Patrick Erwin

Alicia Cotoia

Ph.D. in Integrated, Comparative, & Marine Biology
Email: atc5878@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Salve Regina University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Transitioned to Ph.D. from M.S. in Biology
Advisor: Dr. Michael Tift

Michael Fernandes de Almieda

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: mf5519@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: School of Physical Education of Cruzeiro
Undergraduate Degree: B.A. Physical Education
Graduate Institution: University of Sao Paulo
Graduate Degree: M.S. Experimental Physiology
Advisor: Dr. Steve Kinsey

Eden Garcia

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: erg8051@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Center for Academic Advising of Belize
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Biology Education
Graduate Institution: East Carolina University
Graduate Degree: M.S., Environmental Biology
Advisor: Dr. Martin Posey

Amy Grogan

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: aeg7670@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology
Graduate Institution: Coastal Carolina University
Graduate Degree: M.S. Marine Science
Advisor: Dr. Lawrence Cahoon

LeRoy Humphries

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: lfh4569@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Coastal Carolina University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Marine Science with minors in Biology and Environmental Science
Graduate Institution: North Carolina State University
Graduate Degree: M.S., Comparative Biomedical Science with minors in Agriculture and LIfe Sciences
Advisor: Dr. Lawrence Cahoon

Jacob Kazenelson

Ph.D. in Integrated, Comparative, & Marine Biology
Email: jak7937@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Transitioned to Ph.D. program from M.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Art Frampton

Tiffany Keenan-Bateman

Ph.D. in Integrated, Comparative, & Marine Biology
Email: batemankt@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Biology
Graduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Graduate Degree: M.S., Biology
Advisor: Dr. D. Ann Pabst

Marae Lindquist

Ph.D. in Integrated, Comparative, & Marine Biology
Email: mcl6280@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Appalachian State University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Transitioned to Ph.D. from M.S. in Biology
Advisor: Dr. Ray Danner

Madison Lytle

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: mal6582@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Marine Biology, Cum Laude
Graduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Graduate Degree: M.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Jessie Jarvis

Erin Meyer

Ph.D. in Integrated, Comparative, & Marine Biology
Email: emm5468@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Marine Biology (Departmental Honors), with a minor in Asian Studies
Transitioned to Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Alison Taylor

Lydia Naughton

Ph.D. in Integrative, Comparative, & Marine Biology
Email: lfn1671@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Bucknell University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Neuroscience
Advisor: Dr. Lorian Scweikert

Julie Neurohr

Ph.D. in Integrated, Comparative, & Marine Biology
Email: jmn6284@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Daemen College
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Biology with a minor in Chemistry
Graduate Institution: Florida Gulf Coast University
Graduate Degree: M.S., Environmental Science
Advisor: Dr. Stephen Kinsey

Lauren Olinger

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: lko5561@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Miami
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology & Marine Biology
Graduate Institution: University of the Virgin Islands - St. Thomas
Graduate Degree: M.S. Marine & Environmental Science
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Pawlik

Emily Peele

Ph.D. in Integrated, Comparative, & Marine Biology
Email: eep5093@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Transitioned to Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Kara Yopak

Mariko Polk

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email:map7186@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: California State University - Bakersfield
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Environmental Resource Management
Graduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Graduate Degree: M.S. Environmental Science.
Advisor: Dr. Martin Posey

Aaron Ramus

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: apr2993@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Biology with minors in Marine Science and Chemistry
Graduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Graduate Degree: M.S., Marine Biology

Caitlin Redak

Ph.D. in Integrative, Comparative, & Marine Biology
Email: car8305@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Kenyon College
Undergraduate Degree: B.A. Biology & Philosophy
Advisor: Dr. Ken Halanych

Juanma Rodriguez Baron

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: jr2401@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Marine Biology
Graduate Institution: Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas
Graduate Degree: M.S., Management of Marine Resources
Advisor: Dr. Amanda Williard

Christina Salerno

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: cms8486@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology
Transitioned to Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Kamel

Malia Smith

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: mes5874@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Akron
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology & Biochemistry
Graduate Institution: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Graduate Degree: M.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Steve Emslie

Peyton Thomas

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: pat3805@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Baylor University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Environmental Science
Graduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Graduate Degree: M.S. Marine Science
Advisor: Dr. Steve Kinsey

Byron Toothman

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: toothmanb@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Marine Biology/Environmental Science
Graduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Graduate Degree: M.S., Marine Science
Advisor: Dr. Lawrence Cahoon

Anna Zarn

Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Email: amz4211@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Wheaton College
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Biology
Graduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Graduate Degree: M.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Steven Emslie

Juan Zuluaga

Ph.D. in Integrated, Comparative, & Marine Biology
Email: jdz4405@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Ray Danner

Justin Bashaw

Email: jpb7680@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: North Carolina State University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Environmental Sciences
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Covi

Ryan Besemer

Email: rmb1547@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Jake Warner

Alexandra Best

Email: ajb1411@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Marist College
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Ray Danner

Connor Brainard

Email: cb1216@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Maryland Baltimore County
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Ami Wilbur

Jacob Calvitti

Email: jjc9784@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Vermont
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Wildlife & Fisheries Biology
Advisor: Dr. Heather Koopman

Mason Collins

Email: mgc6521@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Wildlife & Fisheries Biology
Advisor: Dr. Fred Scharf

Bryce Corbett

Email: bcc6019@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Southern Illinois University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Zoology
Advisor: Dr. Nikki Fogarty

Madison Cox

Email: mbc5962@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology & Environmental Science
Advisor: Dr. Alison Taylor

Roxanne Cuthbertson

Email: rdc3329@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of California - Santa Cruz
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Kamel

George Easterly

Email: gne8646@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Griffith University
Undergraduate Degree:B.S. Marine Biology & Wildlife Biology
Advisor: Dr. Martin Posey

Robert Finn

Email:rpf7885@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution:
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Advisor: Dr. Julia Buck

Laüra Gaitan Daza

Email: lg6798@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Roger Williams University
Undergraduate Degree: BS Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Pawlik

Erin Gallagher

Email: eeg2166@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: West Chester University of PA
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Ray Danner

Lydia Hicks

Email: lmh9530@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Alan Hancock College
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Zoology
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Covi

Reanna Jeanes

Email: rcj3705@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biological Sciences
Advisor: Dr. Nikki Fogarty

Melinda Lambert

Email: msl5552@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Fred Scharf

Melissa Lenentine

Email: mnl7198@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: NC State
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biological Science
Advisor: Dr. Aswani Volety

Alice Manley

Email: amm4729@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Kamel

Kristi Mitchell

Email: kmm1457@uncw.edu&
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Michael Tift

Samantha Morrison

Email: skm4134@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Eckerd College
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Science
Co-Advisors: Dr. Patrick Erwin & Dr. Susanna Lopez-Legentil

Claire Pelletier

Email: cbp7192@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: NC State
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Environmental Science
Advisor: Dr. Fred Scharf

Jasmine Pierre

Email: jp6562@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology & Oceanography
Advisor: Dr. Amanda Williard

Megan Reaves

Email: mr5209@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Steve Emslie

John Roberts

Email: jpr7418@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Florida Gulf Coast University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S, Biology with a concentration in Microbiology z
Co-Advisors: Dr. Heather Koopman & Dr. Ai Ning Loh

Jax Salguero

Email: jms2879@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Univ. Of Texas at Austin
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Julia Buck

Samantha Schreiter

Email: sas4213@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Univ. of Tampa
Undergraduate Degree: B.S.Marine Biology - Biology
Advisor: Dr. Jacob Warner

Chris Spear

Email: cos1963@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Kentucky Weslyan College
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Zoology
Advisor: Dr. Steve Kinsey

Lindsey Stevenson

Email: stevensonl@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: St. Mary's College of Maryland
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology/Environmental Studies
Advisor: Dr. Jessie Jarvis

Mina Surprenant

Email: mss5697@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Univ. of South Carolina - Colombia
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Science
Co-Advisors: Dr. Jessie Jarvis & Dr. Susanna Lopez-Legentil

Kate Sutherland

Email: kes5900@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Steve Emslie

Skye Thomas

Email: sdt2007@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: VA Poly institute & State University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Fisheries Conversation
Advisor: Dr. Ami Wilbur

Veronica Torres

Email: vat3962@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Univ. of California - Santa Barbara
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Julia Buck

Margaret Walter

Email: mkw8944@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Vassar College
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Blake Ushijima

Brittany Wolfe

Email: bmw1382@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Maine
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Marine Science
Advisor: Dr. Ami Wilbur

Tori Zimmerman

Email: tnj1226@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: NC State
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Sciences
Advisor: Dr. Larry Cahoon

Nate Akers

Email: nta9644@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Brian Arbogast

Jenny Black

Email: jbb8031@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Art Frampton

Amanda Busch

Email: alb6754@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Environmental Science
Advisor: Dr. Zac Long

Amanda Chapman

Email: anc4394@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Biology
Advisor: Dr. Darin Penneys

Yesmarie De La Flor

Email: ytd5693@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Indian River State College
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Blake Ushijima

Gabriella de Souza

Email: gad7959@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S.Biology
Advisor: Dr. Zac Long

Elizabeth Gianelos

Email: ehg6037@uncw.edu ;
Undergraduate Institution: James Madison University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Darin Penneys

Moira Hughes

Email: mch6435@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Pierre Le Pabic

Olivia Jackson

Email: onj4416@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Florida State University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Psychology
Advisor: Dr. Michael Tift

Gordon Leary

Email: sgl4259@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Pierre Le Pabic

Nicholas Majkut

Email: nam8950@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology & Psychology
Advisor: Dr. Jacob Warner

Shiella Olimpos

Email: sbo4277@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of the Philipines
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Darin Penneys

Erin Papke

Email: egp6313@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Delaware
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Science
Advisor: Dr. Blake Ushijima

Anna Pearson

Email: abp8459@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Chapel Hill
Undergraduate Degree: BS Biology
Advisor: Dr. Michael Tift

Christian Pierce

Email: cp9437@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Pierre Le Pabic

Jessica Roach

Email: jlr7351@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Darin Penneys

Alexander Smith

Email: aos4927@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Wilmington
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Marine Biology
Advisor: Dr. Ray Danner

Russell Ward

Email: rhw6057@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: West Virginia University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Kara Yopak

Brett Wilson

Email: bmw3952@uncw.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Lenoir-Rhyne University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Environmental Biology
Advisor: Dr. Amanda Williard

Contact Us

Contact the department for more information on Student Assistantship opportunities.

Graduate Program Coordinator
Dr. Stephanie Kamel
Office: CMS 2338
Phone: 910.962-2841
Email: kamels@uncw.edu

Department of Biology & Marine Biology
Dobo Hall 1010
601. S. College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5915
Ph. 910.962-3487
Fx. 910.962-4066