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People

 

Lab Director

Dr. Tiffany Briggs

Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D.

Chair & Associate
Professor in Geosciences
E-mail: briggst@fau.edu

About:

Ph.D., Geology, University of South Florida, 2012
M.S., Geology, University of South Florida, 2008
B.S., Environmental Science, Honors College, University of South Florida, 2002

Research Interests: Coastal geomorphology and geology; storm impact and recovery; beach nourishment evolution; coastal sedimentology; coastal ecosystem health.

Dr. Tiffany Roberts Briggs Faculty page
FAU Geosciences Homepage

Postdoctoral Fellows

Samantha Kuschke

Dr. Samantha Kuschke

Post-doctoral fellow, Geosciences, Biological Science, & HBOI
E-mail: skuschke@fau.edu

Background: Ph.D., Comparative and Experimental Medicine, University of Tennessee (2024); D.V.M., University of Tennessee (2021); M.Ed., Early Childhood Education, Lipscomb University (2014); B.S., Biology, Purdue University (2013)

Research: Sea turtle egg fusariosis (STEF); mycotic dermatitis in leatherback sea turtles; microbiomes; impacts of climate change on marine animal health; One Health; sea turtle health and husbandry; marine animal disease, treatment, and prevention; emerging fungal diseases.   (Funded by the College of Science Jumpstart Program)

Graduate Students

Abiola Adebiyi

Abiola Adebiyi

Ph.D. Candidate, Geosciences

Graduate Teaching Assistant; Graduate Research Assistant (HBOI)
E-mail: aadebiyi2022@fau.edu

Background: B.S. in Marine Science and Technology, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; M.S. in Ocean Engineering, Zhejiang University, China

Research: Depth variation in the morphology of subaqueous dunes; Roles of bottom morphological features in mitigating climate change impacts along Florida's coast

David Anderson

David Anderson

Ph.D. Student, Geosciences
E-mail: michaelander2012@fau.edu

Background:B.A. History, Auburn University; M.S. Geography, University of Alabama
Research: Sea turtle conservation- past, present, and future

Dayana Castillo

Dayana Castillo

M.S. Student, Environmental Sciences
E-mail: dcasti11@fau.edu

Background: B.S. in Biological & Physical Science, Nova Southeastern University
Research: Role of coral reefs in coastal restoration and island shoreline evolution (funded by National Parks Conservation Association)

Sydney Garber

Sydney Garber

M.S. Student, Environmental Sciences

Graduate Teaching Assistant
E-mail: sgarber2024@fau.edu

Background: B.S. in Environmental Science, Florida State University

Research: Living shorelines & coastal geomorphology

Halaina Hahn

Halaina Hahn

M.S. Student, Environmental Sciences

Graduate Teaching Assistant

E-mail:  hhahn2020@fau.edu

Background:  B.S. in Biological Science, Florida Atlantic University
Research: Microplastics in coastal sediments (funded by National Parks Conservation Association)

Awards:  FAU Graduate Fellowship for Academic Excellence (2024); FSBPA Student Travel Scholarship (2024); ASBPA Students & New Proessionals Student Travel Scholarship (2023); FAU Provost Fellowship (2023)

Leanne Hauptman

Leanne Hauptman

Ph.D. Candidate, Geosciences

Lab Safety - Group Compliance Liaison

Graduate Teaching Assistant
E-mail: lhauptman2021@fau.edu

Background: M.P.S. Marine Ecosystems and Society, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science; B.S. Marine Science, Coastal Carolina University
Research: Anthropogenic and natural influences on beach geomorphology and coastal resiliency; Hurricane Ian coastal damages (funded by Nearshore Extreme Events Reconnaisance); Impacts of beach nourishment sediment on marine turtle nesting habitat, hatching, and emergence success (funded by the PBC Dept. of Environmental Resources Management)

Awards: ASBPA Educational Award & Unsung Hero (2024); FAU Graduate Fellowship for Academic Excellence (2024)

Kayla OBbrien

Kayla O'Brien

Ph.D. Student, Geosciences

Gradaute Teaching Assistant
E-mail: obrienk2022@fau.edu 

Background: B.S. Biology, concentrated in botany, field biology, and environmental science, Palm Beach Atlantic University; M.S. Environmental Science, Florida Atlantic University

Research: Microplastics in Coastal Systems

Awards:  ASBPA Nicholas Kraus Coastal Scholar (2024)

Thomas Rock

Thomas Rock

M.S. Student, Geosciences
E-mail: trock2023@fau.edu 

Background: B.S in Environmental Geoscience, Brigham Young University - Idaho

Research: Hydrologic processes in coastal environments

Austin Scheinkman

Austin Scheinkman

Ph.D. Student, Geosciences

E-mail:  ascheinkman2018@fau.edu 

Background: B.S. in Geology, University of Florida; M.S. Geosciences, FAU
Research: 
Tidal influences on the geomorphology of microtidal beaches

Ryan Sloan

Ryan Sloan

M.S. Student, Environmental Sciences
E-mail: rsloan4@fau.edu

Background: B.A., History, University of Central Florida
Research:
Tropical and winter storm impacts on beach-dune morphology

Undergraduate Students

Abiola Adebiyi

Alondra Calderon

B.S. Student, Geosciences, Geology focus
E-mail: alondracalde2023@fau.edu

Research:  Storm-induced impact and recovery on subaerial beach morphology and sedimentology; Characterization of the sedimentology within beach substrate (NSF LEARN Scholar)

Hannah King

Hannah King

B.S. Student, Geosciences, Climate Change focus
E-mail: hking2023@fau.edu

Research: Evaluation of how water levels impact beach morphology in Southeast Florida's microtidal region between high and low tidal oscillations (funded by FAU OURI SURF, 2024)

Allyson Wleklinski

Allyson Wleklinski

B.S. Student, Geosciences, Climate Change focus; Geology minor
E-mail: awleklinski2022@fau.edu

Research: Microtidal zones: beach morphology and the influence of tides (NSF LEARN Scholar & funded by FAU OURI Undergraduate Research Grant, 2023)

Lab Alumni

Corey Aitken

Corey Aitken

2017, M.S. Geosciences

 

Non-Thesis. Corey is currently pursuing a second MS degree in Urban and Regional Planning at FAU. Corey is a planner with Monroe County's Planning and Environmental Resources Department (Marathon, FL).

Joseph (Joe) Becker

Joseph (Joe) Becker

2019, M.S. Geosciences

 

Thesis: "Mapping the Fresh-Saltwater Transition Zone Across the Beach Environment Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)" Joe's first post-graduation position was with APTIM, Inc. (Boca Raton, FL) as a Coastal Geologist before joining EnviroTrac as a Staff Scientist (NJ).

Evan Blanchard

Evan Blanchard

2021, M.S. Environmental Science

 

Non-thesis. Evan's graduate research focused on the effects of ocean acidification on coastal resiliency. Evan is a Staff Scientist with Brizaga (Fort Lauderdale, FL).

Tynon (Ty) Briggs

Tynon (Ty) Briggs

2023, M.S. Geosciences

Non-thesis.  Ty's graduate research focused on decadal shoreline variability of an inlet-adjacent beach.

Nicholas (Nick) Brown

Nicholas (Nick) Brown

2022, Ph.D. Geosciences

Dissertation: "Coastal system variability of the beach-nearshore environment from natural and anthropogenic influences". After working as the Director of Coastal Geology and Resiliency with ACT Engineers in NJ, Nick now the NY/NJ Coastal Lead - Coastal Scientist with HDR.

Chelsea Cameron

Chelsea Cameron

2023, M.S. Marine Science & Oceanography

Non-thesis: Chelsea's research focused on various environmental influences on sea turtle nesting.  Chelsea was exploring California before seeking a job in natural resources.

Cristal Espinosa

Cristal Espinosa

2022, M.S. Environmental Science

 

Non-thesis. Cristal's research focused on marine debris distribution in coastal mangrove ecosystems. Cristal is a Biologist with Miami Dade County in the Department of Environmental Resource Management.

Richard (Ray) Hart

Richard (Ray) Hart

2019, M.S. Geosciences

Thesis: "Hurricane Irma Impact and Post-Storm Beach Morphology Evolution in Boca Raton, FL". Ray worked as a Coastal Geologist with APTIM, Inc. (Boca Raton, FL) for several years before joining Miami-Dade County as a Geologist in the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Department.

Camryn (Cami) Inman

Camryn (Cami) Inman

2024, M.S. Environmental Science 

Thesis: Environmental assessment of beach nourishment projects constructed with beneficial use of dredge material in Palm Beach County, Florida.  Cami is on the market and networking while she is working to publish her thesis work as a peer-reviewed manuscript.

Palaparthi Jyothirmayi (Jyothi)

Palaparthi Jyothirmayi
(Jyothi)

2023, Ph.D. Geosciences
 

Dissertation: Long-Term National & Regional Beach Nourishment Trends & Drivers:  Implications for Coastal Resilience (funded by the US Coastal Research Program & PBC Dept. of Environmental Resources Management).  Jyothi is a Coastal Scientist at Coastal Science & Engineering in Columbia, SC.

Summer Manestar

Summer Manestar

2023, M.S. Marine Science & Oceanography
Thesis: Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Surveys and Traditional Methods to Examine Influences on Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) Nest Site Selection.  After working as an Environmental Scientist with Applied Ecology Inc. in Melbourne, FL, Summer is now a GIS Analyst with St. Johns County.


William Matt McCormick

William (Matt) McCormick

2024, M.S. Geosciences
Thesis: Morphologic changes and sedimentological signatures resulting from Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida (funded by the Nearshore Extreme Events Reconnaisance & Geological Society of America).  Matt is pursuing a PhD at Virgina Institute of Marine Science in the Coastal Geology Lab.

Andrew Medhurst

Andrew Medhurst

2019, M.S. Environmental Sciences

Non-Thesis. Andrew's graduate research focused on the role of coastal morphology, sedimentology, and beach flooding on critical sea turtle nesting habitat. After working for a few years post-grad as a Coastal Biologist with the National Audubon Society (Moss Point, MS), Andrew is now the Resilience Coordinator for the Program for Local Adaptation to Climate Effects: Sea Level Rise based out of the Mississippi State University Coastal Research Center (Biloxi, MS).

Kayla O'Brien

Kayla O'Brien

2023, M.S. Environmental Sciences

Thesis: Microplastics in sediment of the beach and mangrove environments of barrier islands (funded by National Parks Conservation Association).  After applying to doctoral programs, Kayla joined the FAU Geosciences PhD program.

Sofia Ojeda

Sofia Ojeda

2023, M.S. Marine Science & Oceanography

Non-thesis. Sofia's research evaluated the influence of sediment properties on three nesting sea turtle species in northern Palm Beach County, FL (partially funded by Palm Beach County Environmental Resource Management).  Sofia is an Environmental Scientist with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and also applying to doctoral programs.

Michael Priddy

Michael Priddy

2022, M.S.Geosciences

Thesis: "Seasonal storm-induced nearshore sediment transport and morphology change in Boca Raton, FL". Mike was a recipient of the ASBPA Nicholas Kraus Coastal Scholar Award (2021). Mike is pursing a PhD at Virgina Tech in the Department of Geosciences.

Austin Scheinkman

Austin Scheinkman

2022, M.S. Geosciences

Thesis: "Spatiotemporal variability of inlet adjacent placement of dredge material". Austin spent the first year of post-graduation on the coast of Spain as a Language and Cultural Assistant.  Austin is currently a PhD student in FAU Geosciences.

Tommy Shahan

Tommy Shahan

2018, M.S. Geosciences

Thesis: "Morphologic Evolution and Alongshore Variability of Two Beach Nourishment Projects in Southeast FL, USA". Tommy is a Coastal Geologist with APTIM, Inc. (Boca Raton, FL).

Kyle Shaver

Kyle Shaver

2020, M.S. Geosciences

Thesis: "Using low-cost multi-depth samplers to characterize the variability of specific conductance in coastal south Florida beaches." Kyle's first post-graduation position was as a field technician with TetraTech, Inc. (Boynton Beach, FL).

Sabrina Camara Dos Santos Porto

Sabrina Camara Dos Santos Porto

2017, M.S. Geosciences

Thesis: "Use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) in a Study on Beach Morphodynamics at Red Reef Beach, Boca Raton, FL". Sabrina's first post-graduation position was as a Coastal Geologist with APTIM, Inc. (Boca Raton, FL), and currently works as a Marine Geologist/Geotechnical Project Manager with Coastal Protection Engineering.

Edward Vandamas

Edward Vandamas

2015, M.S. Geosciences

Thesis: "Inlet-Adjacent Behavior at Three Stabilized Inlets in Palm Beach County, FL"

William Warren

William Warren

2017, M.S. Geology;

2015, B.S. Geology

Thesis: "Storm-Induced Nearshore Sediment Transport". Will's first post-graduation position was as a Coastal Geologist with Taylor Engineering, Inc. (Destin, FL) and now works with the USACE Jacksonville District as a Professional Geologist.