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Scyphers Lab at the University of South Alabama
MEET THE LAB
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Steven Scyphers, PhD
Full Professor and Chief Sustainability Officer
Steven is a Full 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 resiliency. 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.
Abby Collins
Manager - Sustainability Program
Abby Collins graduated from Bowling Green State University, where she received her BS in Biology with a specialization in Marine and Aquatic Sciences. She is recently received 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 were a marine organism, she would be a green sea turtle.
Elly Gay
Post-Doc
Dr. Elly Gay is a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of South Alabama. As an applied watershed scientist, she specializes in combining integrated modeling with coproduction to understand how changing land cover and climate affect our water resources. She uses that knowledge to support ecosystems and communities facing drought, floods, and other compounding extremes. Elly received her BS in Sustainability Science and BA in Politics and International Affairs from Furman University. She then earned her MS in Natural Resources and PhD in Forestry and Environmental Resources from North Carolina State University. She recently completed a postdoc at San Diego State University, where she enjoyed surfing and exploring the coast. If Elly was a marine organism, she would be a Scalloped Hammerhead!
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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 utility and science communication with coastal communities and policymakers. If Grace was a marine organism she would be a puffer fish!
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 regard the environment. 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!
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 a changing world. 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!
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 America. 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!
Mahi Washim
PhD Student
Mahi Washim recently completed his second master’s degree in Climate Science and Solutions at Northern Arizona University. Over the past several years, he has worked with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and has contributed to projects supported by National Geographic, Save Our Seas Foundation, the Rufford Foundation, and NASA. Mahi’s work spans wildlife conservation, marine biodiversity, fisheries, and data science, with professional and research experience across Asia, Europe, and the United States. He is currently researching how AI, qualitative analysis, and decision-support tools can strengthen ecosystem-based fisheries governance in the Gulf of America. He is passionate about integrating conservation science, emerging technologies, and community knowledge to address complex environmental challenges.
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Bailey Walkinshaw
PhD Student
Bailey graduated from the University of West Florida with a B.S. in Marine Biology and a minor in Environmental Science. She currently works as the Community Science Coordinator for the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program, where she creates opportunities for residents to participate in scientific inquiry, contribute local knowledge and observations, and help shape conservation and restoration efforts in their community. At the University of South Alabama, Bailey is interested in exploring the cultural connections between people and fisheries in the Pensacola and Perdido Bay region. If Bailey was a marine organism, she would be a cownose ray!
Deanna Palermo
Research Technician
Deanna graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a BS in Environmental Science and earned her MS in Marine Conservation and Natural Resource Management from the University of South Alabama. Her work in Scyphers’s lab focuses on marine fisheries, and she’s excited to gain more research experience and build skills in environmental sustainability! If Deanna were a marine organism, she’d be a sea otter!
Rachel Ryan
Intern
Rachel Ryan earned her BS in Zoology with a minor in Human-Animal Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she developed her love of learning about nature, wildlife, and the ways humans interact with their environment. She is currently pursuing her MS in Marine Conservation and Resource Management at the University of South Alabama and is excited to deepen her knowledge in marine conservation. Rachel is also looking forward to gaining research experience in environmental sustainability through the Scyphers Lab, which will help support her career goal of protecting and restoring natural ecosystems. If Rachel were a marine organism, she would be a seahorse!
Meg Custard
Intern
Meg Custard is a graduate student that majored in Environmental Science with a concentration in Sustainability at the University of South Alabama. Growing up, she spent a lot of time outdoors, strongly influencing her interest in this field, along with her love of animals. She is currently assisting the lab with survey collections for fishing efforts. She hopes to develop her research skills and learn more about the field of social science. If she were a marine animal, she would be a Sunflower sea star.
Anthoni Price
Intern/Sustainability @ South
Anthoni graduated from University of California, Irvine with a BS in Biological Sciences. He's very interested in the environment, 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.
Anna Ley
Intern
Anna graduated from Bowling Green State University with a BS in Biology and a specialization in Marine and Aquatic Sciences. She is currently in her second year at the University of South Alabama, where she is pursuing her MS in Marine Conservation and Resource Management. Anna is originally from Cincinnati but has enjoyed living on the Gulf Coast because she loves warm weather and spending time at the beach. She is excited to further pursue her interest in environmental sociology as part of the Scyphers Lab. If she were a marine organism, she would be a thresher shark.
Sarah Kennedy
Intern/ Sustainability @ South
Sarah Kennedy earned her B.S. in Environmental Biology from Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi. Originally from Canada, Sarah developed a passion for the ocean and marine wildlife, inspired by nature documentaries she watched growing up. Her experience living in a cold climate also motivated her to pursue her studies in the warmth of the southern United States. Currently, Sarah is a Graduate Fellow entering her second year of her M.S. in Marine Conservation and Resource Management at the University of South Alabama. She is eager to gain additional research experience in environmental sustainability through the Scyphers Lab, particularly exploring how sustainability can be integrated with sports. If Sarah were a marine organism, she would be a Leopard Shark!
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Mary Ashlee Hughes
Intern
Mary Ashlee Hughes earned her BS in Natural Resources Management with a minor in Watershed Sciences at Auburn University, where she built her passion for wetlands, land management, and conservation. She is very excited to pursue more research experience and skills through Scypher's Lab at the University of South Alabama to help reach her goals of pursuing a career in wetland management and conservation! If she were an aquatic organism, she would be an alligator!
Lottie Coker
Intern
Lottie is a third year undergraduate student at the University of South Alabama majoring in Marine Science and minoring in Sustainability. She also anticipates adding a minor in Political Science. Lottie loves studying environmental policies and how they affect the members of our local communities. During her time at the lab, she will be surveying local fishermen at night to better understand their fishing habits. She hopes to one day find a career in environmental policy and management. If Lottie were a marine organism, she would be a coelacanth!
Gracie Chouinard
Student Assistant/Sustainability @ South
Gracie is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of South Alabama. She is majoring in Marine Sciences and Biology and is interested in pursuing environmental sustainability. Her parents are Wildlife Biologists, which sparked her interest in the marine sciences. As a third-year undergraduate, Gracie is excited to learn and gain experience in research through the Scyphers Lab. If Gracie was a marine organism, she would be a stingray!
Callie Conkle
Student Assistant/Sustainability @ South
Callie is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of South Alabama. She is majoring in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Sciences. Growing up in Houston, she welcomed every trip to the Gulf with excitement and curiosity, growing her love for nature and sustainability! She is excited to learn more and strengthen her research skills through the Scyphers Lab. If Callie was a marine organism, she would be a blue shark!
Brendan Farmer
Student Assistant
Brendan is a senior Environmental and Sustainability Sciences Major pursuing a concentration in Sustainability. He enjoys all things outdoors and espcially loves hiking. He is excited to learn and grow in his understanding of sustainability in the Gulf while in Scyphers' Lab. If he were a sea creature, he would be a sailfish.
Mak Woods
Student Assistant
Mak is a junior at the University of South Alabama, where she is majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Computer Science. Outside of her studies, she enjoys needlepointing and reading. She is excited to explore sides of research that she has never worked in before and to gain new experiences in the lab. If Mak were a sea animal, she would be a beluga whale.
Mary Garrett
Student Assistant
Mary is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Marine Science and Sustainability at South Alabama. She's always had a passion for species conservation and hopes to grow her knowledge in the Scyphers lab with sustainability. She rescued two semi-aquatic turtles, kept them, and deepened her interest. She wants to pursue a field in marine sea turtle conservation. If she could be a marine, organism she would be a Kemp Ridley sea turtle.
DeeDee Trousdale
Student Assistant
DeeDee graduated from the University of South Alabama with a B.S. in Marine Sciences and minors in Communication and Composite Science. She is currently working on her M.S in Marine Conservation and Resource Management at South Alabama. She’s originally from Elkmont, Alabama, but loves living in Mobile because it’s just a short drive away from the beach. She is excited to join the Scyphers Lab and learn more about Environmental Sociology and how people interact and impact marine environments. She is looking forward to gaining new experiences, learning new skills, and seeing where this research takes her! If she were a marine organism, she’d be a Bamboo shark!
Jayce Marino
Student Assistant
Jayce graduated with his B.S. in Ecology with a concentration in Marine Ecology from the University of Georgia. He developed a passion for marine species after spending years visiting Georgia Aquarium and working with the entertainment team. He is now a second year M.S. Marine Conservation and Resource Managemt student and will be assisting with the AL Creel project, as well as working with Sustainability @ South. If he were a marine organism, he would be a Dumbo Octopus!
LAB MASCOTS
Lanny Gay
Drum Stringer
Winnie Collins
Nora Palermo
Eleanor Scyphers
Andy Scyphers
Penny Garrett
Cosmo Ryan
ALUMNI
Dr. Sarah Gibbs
PhD 2026
Current: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan
Sarah earned her PhD studying the social-ecological dynamics of coastal fisheries and fishing communities. Her dissertation research employed multiple participatory science methods that harness the knowledge and perceptions fisheries stakeholders possess in order to inform ecosystem-based management. Sarah is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan, where she is investigating how public health and natural hazard specialists use systems thinking to make decisions for protecting vulnerable populations from compound wildfire hazards in the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Kelsi Furman
NSF GRFP Fellow & PhD 2022
Current: Assistant Professor at the University of South Alabama
Kelsi studies the role of social participation 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.
Mary Everett Toombs
Gulf Scholars Coordinator
Mary Everett Toombs is a graduate of the University of St. Andrews where she obtained a Neuroscience BSc (Honours). She aids in various ongoing sustainability projects while contributing health‑related viewpoints to the lab’s work. Mary Everett 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 Everett was a marine organism she would be a mantis shrimp!
Dr. Kiera O'Donnell
PhD, 2022
Current: Assistant Professor at East Carolina 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
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Faith Stewart
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
Mai Tannehill
University of South Alabama
Sarah Limer
University of South Alabama
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
Chloe Rich
University of South Alabama
Macy Cassidy
University of South Alabama
Meagan Lindsey
University of South Alabama
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