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Scyphers Lab at the University of South Alabama
MEET THE LAB
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Steven Scyphers, PhD
Associate Professor and Chief Sustainability Officer
Steven is an Associate Professor in the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of South Alabama. Steven’s research integrates ecology and sociology to understand and develop strategies to overcome major challenges facing coastal communities. His work focuses on sustainable coastal fisheries, shoreline development, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation. He received his BS in Marine Biology at Auburn University and his PhD in Marine Sciences at the University of South Alabama and Dauphin Island Sea Lab. He was awarded a Science, Engineering, and Education for Sustainability (SEES) Fellowship from the National Science Foundation.
Sarah L. Gibbs
PhD Candidate
Sarah is a current PhD candidate studying the social-ecological dynamics of coastal fisheries and fishing communities. Her dissertation research employs multiple participatory science methods that harness the knowledge and perceptions fisheries stakeholders possess in order to inform ecosystem-based management. Sarah received her B.S. in Environmental Science from Northeastern University in 2021. If Sarah was a marine organism she would be a spotted ratfish!
Sophia Corde
PhD Student
Sophia studies human-wildlife interaction mitigation and conservation practices. Her dissertation research focuses on manatee distributions, human-manatee interactions, and the use of citizen science for conservation in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Sophia received her BS in Marine Science and Biology from the University of Miami and her MS in Biology from Western Kentucky University. Sophia is co-advised by Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael. If Sophia was a marine organism she would be a harbor seal!
Sarah Wraight
PhD Student
Sarah is a sociologist and GIS analyst interested in studying the meaning-making processes individuals and groups engage in surrounding built and natural environments, and the shapes these negotiations take when there is a shock to the social-ecological system. She is also interested in analyzing the relationships between (1) the misleading ideology behind the nature-nurture dichotomy, and (2) governmental actions that lead to environmental degradation. Sarah received her MA in sociology and her BA in anthropology with a minor in geology, both from the University of South Alabama. If Sarah was a marine organism she would be a godzilla marine iguana!
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Grace Stringer
PhD Student
Grace (she/her) graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in Spring of 2023 where she got her BS in Ecology and Evolution and a certificate in Sustainability. She then moved to Alabama to work at Dauphin Island Sea Lab in the Baker Lab. There, she worked on projects related to the nursery estuarine habitats and living shorelines. Grace is interested in coastal accessibility and science communication with coastal communities and policymakers. If Grace was a marine organism she would be a puffer fish!
Sarah Anjali Limer
PhD Student
Sarah (she/her) graduated with a BS in Biology from Kennesaw State University in 2022, where she studied under Dr. Troy Mutchler, researching the effects of urbanization on organic matter inputs and food webs within freshwater streams throughout North Georgia. Sarah has finished an MS degree in Marine Conservation and Resource Management at the University of South Alabama, and is now working on her PhD. She currently works on nature-based solutions and natural hazards dimensions in coastal landscapes. If Sarah was a marine organism she would be an octopus!
Casi (KC) Callaway
PhD Student and Principal for Activate- Build-Connect, Inc.
Casi is interested in building resilience and sustainability into systems by uniting people, organizations, businesses, and local governments to help everyone thrive amid changes to our climate, economy, and communities. If Casi was a marine organism she would be an alligator!
Lance Slater
PhD Student
Lance is a Director of Resilience and Sustainability for Mobile County Public Works and is pursuing a PhD in resilience infrastructure and buy-in. His goal in his career is to be in the state senate and expand his role in resilience. If lance was a marine organism he would be a loggerhead sea turtle!
Abby Collins
Research Technician
Abby Collins graduated from Bowling Green State University where she received her BS in Biology with a Specialization in Marine and Aquaric Sciences. She is currently pursuing her MS in Marine Conservation and Natural Resource Management at the University of South Alabama. She is excited to gain more experience in the field of marine conservation and hopes to start her own marine conservation nonprofit organization. If Abby was a marine organism she would be a green sea turtle!
Deanna Palermo
Research Technician
Deanna graduated from Birmingham Southern College and received her BS in Environmental Science. She is now at the University of South Alabama where she is working towards her MS in Marine Conservation and Natural Resource Management. Her work focus is marine fisheries and sustainability. She is excited to gain a wide variety of experiences in the Scyphers Lab. If Deanna was a marine organism she would be a sea otter!
Chloe Rich
Intern
Chloe is a recent graduate of the University of South Alabama. She finished her degree in Marine Science and Biology. She loves the beach and all things outdoors because she has grown up on Mobile Bay and explored the Delta her whole life. In her work she surveys fishermen and goes on research boat days for the Scyphers lab! She is excited to start her career in environmental science and sustainability and hopes to learn as much as she can. If Chloe was a marine organism she would be a cowfish!
Mai Tannehill
Intern
Mai Tannehill is a recent graduate with a BS in Marine Science and a double minor in Biology and Sustainability. She aims to conduct research in marine conservation biology and behavioral ecology that will inform scientific policy and promote sustainability. Her current experiment in the FUNGii Lab quantifies the uptake and distribution of microplastics in native Gulf Coast plant species. Mai is looking forward to contributing to further research on microplastics in the Scyphers Lab. If Mai was a marine organism she would be an orca!
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Faith Stewart
Intern
Faith is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of South Alabama majoring in Marine Science and double minoring in Sustainability and Uteach. Having lived on the gulf coast her entire life, she is extremely passionate about all things Mobile marine life and sustainability. Her work in the Scyphers lab includes active field work days surveying fisherman and mailing surveys, as well as helping around the lab as needed. If Faith was a marine organism she would be a spotted eagle ray!
Mary Everett Toombs
Intern/Sustainability @ South
Mary Everett Toombs is a graduate of the University of St Andrews where she obtained a Neuroscience BSc (Honors). She aids in various ongoing sustainability projects while contributing health-related viewpoints to the lab’s work. Mary has a strong interest in pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience and ultimately working in clinical research. Her sustainability internship provides a fresh perspective on health connections, allowing her to continue her education with a well-rounded approach. She completed her dissertation on inhibitory interneurons in the mPFC in a mouse model of FTD. If Mary was a marine organism she would be a mantis shrimp!
Anthoni Price
Intern/Sustainability @ South
Anthoni graduated from University of California, Irvine with a BS in Biological Sciences. He's very interested in environmental justice, community health, and the intersection of the two. Having grown up in an underserved area that was particularly negatively impacted by poor sustainability practices, this issue is very important to him. If he were to be a marine animal, he'd be a guitarfish.
Gracie Chouinard
Intern/Sustainability @ South
Gracie is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of South Alabama. She is majoring in Marine Sciences and is interested in pursuing environmental sustainability. Her parents are Wildlife Biologists which sparked her interest in Marine Sciences. As a second-year undergraduate, Gracie is excited to learn and gain experience from the research at the Scyphers Lab. If Gracie was a marine organism she would be a stingray!
Macy Cassidy
Sustainability @ South Intern
Macy is a fourth year undergraduate at the University of South Alabama pursuing a degree in Professional Health Science, concentrating in health management. Macy has been working on projects that make our campus more eco-friendly while also supporting student well-being. One of her main projects has been starting a composting system in our newly built campus garden. Along with cutting down on organic waste, the garden creates a space where students with intellectual disabilities can build fine motor skills and practice teamwork and communication. She's excited to keep finding new ways to bring sustainability into everyday campus life and make it a more meaningful experience for students. If Macy was a marine organism she would be a starfish!
LAB MASCOTS
Enzo Gibbs
Drum Stringer
Winnie Collins
Nora Palermo
ALUMNI
Dr. Kelsi Furman
NSF GRFP Fellow & PhD 2022
Current: Postdoctoral Researcher at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Kelsi studies the role of social equity and spatial landscape variation in coastal and fisheries management. Her dissertation research is focused on social equity shore-based recreational fisheries. She is an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship recipient and has been awarded an NSF Graduate Internship Program award to intern at NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami.
Dr. Kiera O'Donnell
PhD, 2022
Current: NSF RCN Postdoc at Duke University
Kiera studies the role of natural, nature-based, and built shorelines in the impacts of hurricanes. Her dissertation research focuses on the landscape and social outcomes of Hurricane Irma in the lower Florida Keys and Hurricane Michael in the Florida Panhandle. Kiera previously worked at NOAA as a data analyst for sea level and storms.
Evan Prasky
MS, 2023
Evan studies the complex socio-ecological interactions between humans and sharks. His research focuses specifically on shark depredation and how it impacts the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs humans have on shark populations in the Gulf of Mexico. Evan holds BS degrees in both Biology and Environmental Science & Policy from Framingham State University and previously was enlisted in the United States Army where he served for three years.
Dr. Savannah Swinea
PhD, 2024
Current: Postdoctoral Researcher at NC State University
Savannah (she/her) studies coastlines and oceans through the application of a social-ecological systems (SES) framework. In her thesis, Savannah employs participatory methods and practices to co-produce knowledge amongst stakeholders in Gulf of Mexico coastal social-ecological systems like shorelines and fisheries. Before her graduate work, Savannah received her B.S. in Environmental Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and worked at UNC’s Institute of Marine Sciences as both an undergraduate honors thesis researcher as well as a research technician.
PAST LAB MEMBERS
Xander Swain
University of South Alabama
Meg Custard
University of South Alabama
Edward Sullivan
University of South Alabama
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Charlotte Collins
Northeastern University
Bekah Farmer
University of South Alabama
Mary Margaret Weeks
University of South Alabama
Emilie Changeux
Northeastern University
Grace Arents
Northeastern University
Emerson Woodhall
University of South Alabama
Katie Loesser
Louisiana State University
Charlie Sheldon
Northeastern University
Katie Waring
Northeastern University
Hailey Smith
Spring Hill College
Luke Lansdown
University of South Alabama
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Aryah Glover
University of South Alabama
Heaven Pollard
University of South Alabama
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