Dr. Fourqurean is a marine and estuarine ecologist with a special interest in benthic plant communities, food webs, and nutrient biogeochemistry. He developed a love of seagrass ecosystems while doing his dissertation research in Florida Bay. He has specialized in the application of elemental and stable isotopic composition of organisms as indicators of ecosystem processes. He is an expert in carbon storage and fluxes in coastal ecosystems, and the importance of these ecosystems to climate regulation and mitigation. He has current research interests the Florida Keys, the Gulf of Mexico, in Mexico, Panama and Bermuda, the western Mediterranean and Australia.

Dr. Frankovich is an expert on water quality and algal communities where freshwater is discharged into Florida’s coastal estuaries. A marine ecologist and diatom taxonomist, Dr. Frankovich works in coastal marine communities relating water quality to seagrass, macroalgal, and diatom communities. His interests include investigations of seagrass die-off, underwater light availability and diatom taxonomy. He is currently monitoring water quality and algal communities where freshwater is discharged into Florida’s coastal estuaries.

Dr. Krause studies coastal vegetated ecosystems using techniques of remote sensing, environmental chemistry, and microbial ecology. He utilizes environmental data, geospatial analysis, modeling, and bioinformatic tools to understand how anthropogenic impacts and natural variability affect coastal processes and biogeochemical cycles.

Dr. Lemos utilizes analytical chemistry techniques and scientific SCUBA diving to investigate South Florida seagrass ecology and nutrient dynamics. Since graduating with her PhD degree in Wildlife Sciences from the Oregon State University in 2020, Leila is a marine mammal biologist with a career-long focus on understanding the ecological and human-induced threats to marine mammals. Currently she explores connections between seagrass meadows and marine mammals, examining how changes in seagrass distribution and nutrient dynamics, driven by both natural and anthropogenic factors, impact marine mammals and their ecosystems.

Marco began his ecological career by studying ant behavior in the forests of Chicago and savannas of Tanzania. He soon ventured into the marine sciences, assisting the Shedd Aquarium aboard the R/V Coral Reef II in The Bahamas. Building on this hands-on experience, Marco went on to complete a Master of Professional Science at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, where he collaborated with Florida Fish & Wildlife to research Imposex in Queen Conch. Subsequently, he was contracted to study marine mammals in Puget Sound of the Pacific Northwest.

Ben received his bachelor’s degree from Coastal Carolina University in May of 2010 and immediately left for the Florida Keys to begin working for Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. As an FWC biologist, he was fortunate enough to participate in a wide-range of research projects and collaborate with different agencies across the region. Most relevant to his current dissertation work, he studied historically known reef fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) in the lower Keys using various acoustic technologies, telemetry techniques, and diver surveys. His current research is focused on improving remote sensing techniques used to quantify the density, spatial distribution, temporal predictability, and age structure of FSAs. Along with the spatiotemporal aspects of FSAs, he is interested in the behavior and biology of aggregating fish, and their potential to alter local community dynamics. Aside from this research he is an avid waterman and hopes that his research will contribute to the protection and preservation of our local fisheries resources.

Laura Reynolds is a biologist with 25 years’ experience working in and protecting Florida’s ecosystems. At FIU she is the project manager for the Earth and Environment Institute on multiple projects to improve Biscayne Bay Health, including leading the effort to streamline public data access by managing the Biscayne Bay and Reef Observation, Interpretation, and Prediction System (BBROIPS) for the University.  She also works as part of the Seagrass ecosystem and Costal Fisheries research labs to document and map 40 years of seagrass change and to identify hotspots of pollution impacting seagrasses.   Laura’s goal is to find ways to better manage and protect Biscayne Bay’s fragile ecosystem, by connecting science to policy.

Ian is a robotics engineer with ambitions to design underwater habitats and live permanently undersea. He aids scientists with electronics and software to advance their research. He is also the webmaster- reach out regarding any website problems encountered.

Jeanette is a graduate from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine and Atmospheric Science along with a minor in Political Science. Her interests include biogeochemical cycling, blue carbon science and policy, and innovative ocean-based climate change mitigation strategies.

Virgil Trujillo is an aspiring marine biologist and recently earned his Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Florida International University, where he focused on ecosystem research and seagrass ecology. He has gained hands-on experience as an Ecosystem Research Intern at FIU and has worked in laboratory roles processing samples and operating specialized equipment. With a diverse skill set in field research, laboratory techniques, and wildlife photography, Virgil is committed to advancing marine conservation and ecological studies.

Grace received her bachelor's in marine biology and plans to start her master's in Fall 2026 with SERL. Her first love will always be marine megafauna, but seagrass has begun to grow on her.

Michelle is an undergraduate senior marine biology major with a primary interest in pursuing marine predator behavioral ecology for her upcoming graduate studies. Through multiple laboratories at FIU, she has partnered with FCE-LTER, ANGARI, the Everglades National Park, and Naples' Rookery Bay to study the behavioral and movement ecology of South Florida sharks alongside wetland soil and mangrove composition. She hopes to refine her studies and is consistently inspired to grow and adapt her scientific pursuits alongside equally enthusiastic individuals here at the SERL and beyond!

A recent FIU graduate, Colleen joined the lab in January 2025 and quickly immersed herself in both field and analytical work. She is now crew chief certified and actively contributes to the field operations team, supporting data collection and ecological monitoring efforts. Her time in the lab has been marked by steady growth—refining her diving techniques, advancing her proficiency in seagrass and algae species identification, and mastering protocols for data processing and analysis. Colleen is eager to continue expanding her technical and field-based skillset and is especially excited for the upcoming Winterlie season.

Juliana is a part-time mermaid, full-time scientist. She graduated from FIU with a bachelor's in science degree and have been a SCUBA diver for over a decade. As a diving technician at SERL, she spends her days out in the beautiful Florida bay collecting data and seagrass samples from the shallows. Her dream is to build a career focused on protecting and restoring coral reefs and to travel to the most pristine reefs in the world.