MCERC’s Research Assistants

Current Research Assistants

Annabelle Stevenson

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, Minor in Biological Sciences

Education: University of Delaware, Class of 2019

Residence: Georgia, USA

Citizenship(s): USA

About: My key study interests involve the behavioral ecology of mammals as well as vertebrate morphology and evolutionary biology. My goal is to study anatomical links amongst different classes of animals and make connections to the adaptability of certain species as it relates to both biotic and abiotic factors. I am very passionate about science, conservation and research. I am always interested in new projects that help me answer questions about the world around us. I hope that through research we can encourage others to become curious about their environment and become independent scientists of their own.

Melissa Hitzfield

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Zoology

Education: Eckerd College

Residence: Florida, USA

Citizenship(s): USA

About:

Iris De La Cruz 

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology

Education: Texas A&M Galveston

Residency: Texas, USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Career Goals: I hope to earn a Masters degree to continue working in the marine sciences field.

MCERC Project(s): Grant searching and applications, video participation for MCERC YouTube Channel, aiding all Research Assistants and Dr. MacKay with projects as needed.

Prior Research Assistants

Celeste Stout

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Marine Vertebrate Biology & Psychology

Education: Stony Brook University

Residence: New York, USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Kelsey Potlock

Degree: Master of Philosophy, Marine Science

Education: Newcastle University

Residence: Alaska, USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Felix Smith

Degree: Master of Science, Marine Biology

Education: University of Southampton, UK

Residence: Cheltenham, UK

Citizenship(s): USA, UK

Sierra Santosuosso

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution & Behavior Biology, Minor in Communications

Education: CSU Monterey Bay, Deakin University, & Boise State University

Citizenship(s): USA

Christina Goertz

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology

Education: Texas A&M Galveston

Residence: Texas, USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Heidi Malizia

Degree: Bachelor of Science,  Biology

Education: University of Missouri

Residence: Missouri, USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Joanna Eames

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Marine Zoology

Education: Newcastle University

Residence: London, UK

Citizenship(s): UK

Kristen Dominici

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology

Education: Hawaii Pacific University

Residence: Illinois, USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Carlye Yancey

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Biology

Education: University of Central Oklahoma

Residence: Oklahoma, USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Shelby Noble

Degree: Bachelor of Environmental Science in Marine Science

Education: Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia

Residence: Western Australia

Citizenship(s): Australian

Alexis Walton

Degree: Bachelor of Science

Education:

Residence: USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Elizabeth Campbell

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Biology

Education: Universidad de Valle de Guatemala

Residence: Peru, South America

Citizenship(s): USA, Peru

Maria Smithies

Degree: Master of Science, Marine Biology

Education: University of Southampton, UK

Residence: Herefordshire, UK

Citizenship(s): UK

Jacque Emmert (Cresswell)

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology & Zoology

Education: Humboldt State University

Residence: California, USA

Citizenship(s): USA, Canada

Skyla Cameron

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Zoology

Education: University of New Hampshire

Residence: USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Clayton Yancey

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology

Education: Southwestern College

Residence: Oklahoma, USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Vanessa McGuiness

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science

Education: Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia

Residence: Western Australia

Citizenship(s): Australian

Jonathan Reid

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology & Coastal Zone Management

Education: Lancaster University

Residence: Cumbria, UK

Citizenship(s): UK

Shelby Yahn

Degree: MRes Marine Mammal Science

Education: University of Saint Andrews, UK

Residence: Wisconsin, USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Anna Stevens

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Josephine Chazot

Degree: M.S. Biology, Marine Ecology

Education: La Rochelle Université

Residence: France

Citizenship(s): France

Sarah “Alaska” Steele

Degree: B.S. Marine Biology

Education: University of Oregon

Residence: USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Shana Vangilder

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Wildlife & Natural Resource Conservation

Education: University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg

Residence: USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Ernestine Ahgeak

Degree: B.S. Fisheries 

Education: School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Residence: USA

Citizenship(s): USA

Julianne Cosavella

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Residence:

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