Graduate Students
Bethany O'Donnell MS student, Environmental Science and Policy
My research interest is focused on the restoration and conservation of wetlands. I received my undergraduate degree in biology (ecology and evolution concentration) from USF- St. Pete in December 2021. I worked for two years in a lake and wetland management company, and one year at the Florida Department of Agriculture before returning to school. I would like to better understand the impact of development on wetlands and waters in Florida. Currently, I am exploring potential research projects, including the development of decision support tools related to wetland management across broader landscapes in Florida. Ultimately, my goal is to improve our understanding and management of wetland environments. In my free time I enjoy going to the beach, reading books, and exploring county parks.
Research Links and Contact
Michael Knight MS student, Geology
My research interest is in the connection between hydrologic processes and the environment. I am using a mixture of field work and hydrologic modeling to investigate the impact beaver dams and beaver dam analogs have on the hydrology of wetlands in Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.
Research Links and Contact
Presentations
- Knight, M., K. Rains, T. Brigino, S. Johnson, M. Rains (2025) Effects of Beaver Dams and Beaver Dam Analogs on Wetland Rehydration in Alaska. Society of Wetland Scientists Student Conference
Md Omer Hossain MS student, Environmental Science and Policy
My research interest broadly focuses on wetland ecosystems and their roles landscape ecosystem function. I am interested in understanding how anthropogenic and climatically driven landscape disturbance alters wetland hydrology, subsequently altering the storage and transport of nutrients within and across wetland boundaries. I use a combination of geospatial methods, modeling, and field-based investigation to pinpoint and evaluate the mechanistic link between physical variables and nutrient circulation. I strive to integrate my research with policy to develop scientifically sound management strategies. In my free time, I enjoy bikepacking and creating documentary videos about the culture and natural complexity of the places I visit.
Research Links and Contact
Publications
- Hossain, M.O, A. Ahmed, KM Nafee, M Al Fahad, A. Ahmed (2024) Soil organic carbon content across various geomorphic units in mangrove forest: a case of Dublar Char, Sundarbans Ecology Journal 6: 1(43-57).
Tyelyn Brigino PhD student, Geology
My research focuses on increasing the understanding of groundwater support for ecological and human communities. I am interested in using geochemistry as a tool to better understand groundwater as a shared resource between salmon populations and adjacent human users in the Kenai Peninsula Lowlands, Alaska. Specifically, I am investigating how groundwater contributes to aquifer- to-estuary connectivity and the role groundwater plays in augmenting flows, modulating temperatures, and subsidizing nutrients. I aim to engage community members and resource managers in this research to create a shared knowledge informed by local values to inform regional decision-making.
Research Links and Contact
Publications
- Guerrón-Orejuela EJ, Rains KC, Brigino T, Kleindl W, Landry S, Spellman P, Walker C, Rains M (2023) Mapping groundwater recharge potential in high latitude landscapes using public data, remote sensing, and analytic hierarchy process Remote Sensing 15(10):2630.
- Brigino T, K Rains, E Guerron-Orejuela, M. Rains, S. Bentz (2023) Technical Report: City of Homer Reservoir Project: Groundwater Study Prepared for: City of Homer. ERG Report # 2023-01/Final Report Agreement # 069687242
Awards
- Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship - awarded by NOAA
- Richard A Davis Fellowship- awarded by the USF Geology Alumni Society USF Geology Alumni Society
- USF Delores Auzenne Fellowship- awarded by the USF Office of Graduate Studies USF Graduate Studies
- The Craig B. Hutchinson (2022) Memorial Scholarships- awarded by the USF Geology Alumni Society USF Geology Alumni Society
- Southeastern Geological Society Graduate Award- awarded by the Southeastern Geological Society SEGS
- Society of Wetland Scientists Multicultural Mentoring Program Award (SWaMMP)- awarded by the Society of Wetland Scientists SWaMP
- UF Water Institute Symposium Student Diversity Scholarship UF Water Institute
- Fred L. and Helen M. Tharp Scholarship - awarded by USF Geosciences
- STEM Scholarship- awarded by the American Association of University Women AAUW
- NSF S-STEM Managing the Nitrogen Cycle Scholarship S-STEM
Zamil Ahamed Limon MS student, Geography
I am interested in the study of natural features across landscapes. In my research, I will be focusing on the extent and distribution of water resources in agricultural and urban landscapes through time. I will be integrating remote sensing with field research to develop to tools to inform and improve environmental management practices.
Research Links and Contact
Publications
- Fariha, J. N., Miah, M. T., Limon, Z. A., Alsulamy, S., Kafy, A. A., & Rahman, S. N. (2024) Quantifying spatial dynamics of urban sprawl for climate resilience sustainable natural resource management by utilizing geostatistical and remote sensing techniques. Theoretical and Applied Climatology.
- Biswas, J., Jobaer, Md. A., Haque, S. F., Shozib, Md. S. I., & Limon, Z. A. (2023) Mapping and Monitoring Land Use Land Cover Dynamics Employing Google Earth Engine and Machine Learning Algorithms on Chattogram, Bangladesh. Heliyon.
Awards
- National Thesis Competition for Urban Planning Students, 2021- awarded by Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP)
Undergraduate Students
Bhaveshsai Reddy B.S student, Environmental Science & Policy
I am a 3rdd year undergraduate student interested in environmental policy and decision making at the University of South Florida. My research interests include wetland hydrology, urban ecology, and a bit of geochemistry with an interest in using GIS and remote sensing as a tool to investigate these areas of interest. As I've gone through my undergraduate years, I've also developed an interest in investigating how policy and public health measures underlie and impact the stakeholders in these scenarios, both human and ecological. Looking forward, I hope to expand my technical skillset and generate a keen understanding of how environmental factors scale up and affect social conditions. By growing my skillset and gaining an understanding of how environmental factors intertwine with social conditions on a larger scale, I hope to contribute meaningfully to informed decision-making processes aimed at fostering sustainable and equitable outcomes.
Savannah Morgan B.S student, Environmental Science & Policy
I am a senior undergraduate student passionate about water and environmental management. My research interests include watershed and coastal ecosystem conservation, water quality monitoring and assessment, and using Geographic Information Systems to map these topics. I am particularly interested in water quality remediation, focusing on developing strategies to restore and protect water resources. In the future, I aim to expand my knowledge of remote sensing techniques and GIS to enhance my ability to analyze and develop effective management solutions and hope to contribute to sustainable water management and conservation efforts.