{"id":262839,"date":"2026-05-08T01:17:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T01:17:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/262839\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T01:17:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T01:17:43","slug":"inaugural-eckerd-college-student-showcase-week-highlights-research-and-achievement-across-disciplines-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/262839\/","title":{"rendered":"Inaugural Eckerd College Student Showcase Week highlights research and achievement across disciplines &#8211; News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>19th Annual Research Symposium Winners<\/p>\n<p>ANIMAL BEHAVIOR<\/p>\n<p>First Place: Emma Bakhshi, Kade Jackson, No\u00e9 Morales, Holger Beck<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/bakhshi-ecsymposium\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BAD BLOOD IN THE PECKING ORDER: PHYLOGENETIC RELATEDNESS AND BODY SIZE CORRELATE WITH AGGRESSIVE INTERACTION STRUCTURE IN A HUMMINGBIRD ASSEMBLAGE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Second Place: Leo Dutkewych, Sarrah Bristol, Grace Albrect, Hailey Hill, Avery Nesbitt, Johnny Owens, Melia Paat, Tanner Parks, Lola Southard, Ella Tevelde, Zoe London, Dr. Elizabeth Forys, Dr. Timothy Bransford<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/nighttime-tortoises?usp=sharing\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NIGHTTIME TORTOISES: NOCTURNAL ACTIVITY OF GOPHER TORTOISES ON A BARRIER ISLAND COMPLEX<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Third Place: Sophia Nocera, Dr. Tim Bransford<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/nocerasympoium?usp=sharing\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FEEDING PERIODS DRIVE INCREASED SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN MANAGED RED WOLVES (CANIS RUFUS)<\/a><\/p>\n<p>CORALS<\/p>\n<p>First Place: Raie Hess, Aiden Moriya, Sierra Bloomer, Dr. Lauren Toth, Dr. Chelsea Korpanty<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/ers-26-coralct\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">USING CT IMAGERY TO EVALUATE THE RELATIONSHIP OF SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE WITH ANNUAL LINEAR EXTENSION OF THE CORAL ORBICELLA IN DRY TORTUGAS, FLORIDA<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Second Place: Mary McReynolds, Morgan Rose, Preston McMahon, Kelly Logan, Eva Laxo<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/mcreynoldssymposium2026\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">EFFECTS OF FOUR SUBSTRATE TYPES ON CORAL GROWTH RATES<\/a><\/p>\n<p>ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE<\/p>\n<p>First Place: Madelyn Krischer, Riley Daniel, Dr. Tyler Cribbs, Dr. Benjamin Chemel<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/krischerdanielsrs2026\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FOX POND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION: USING NATIVE PLANTS TO ENHANCE BIODIVERSITY AND RESILIENCE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Second Place: Ariana Cory, Dr. Patrick Schwing, Matthew Garrett, Dr. Rebekka Larson, Dr. Gregg Brooks, Thea Rind, Ja\u2019Kiah Cooper, and Nilo Khoury<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/coryecsymposium?usp=sharing\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">EVALUATION OF CHANGE IN BENTHIC HEALTH ON THE WEST FLORIDA SHELF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Third Place: Madison Thornton, Dr. Shannon Gowans, Dr. Amy NS Siuda<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/differentiationofmicroplastics\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DIFFERENTIATION OF MICROPLASTIC PARTICLES FROM PHYTOPLANKTON CELLS USING FLOWCAM FLUORESCENT TRIGGER MODE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>GEOLOGY<\/p>\n<p>First Place: Jackson Wheat, Patrick Schwing, Rebekka Larson, Gregg Brooks, Daniel A. Rivera, Milena Lynch, Thea Rind, Bryan O\u2019Malley<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/jacksonwheat\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MINERALOGICAL AND ELEMENTAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PRE-MINING GEOCHEMICAL CONDITIONS FROM VARIOUS GEOFORMS AND HABITAT TYPES IN THE CLARION-CLIPPERTON ZONE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Second Place: Helena Duarte<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/duarte-nas-yeartwo?usp=sharing\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">IDENTIFYING DOWNSLOPE TRANSPORT FROM SR\/CA AND MG\/CA RATIOS ON THE WEST FLORIDA SHELF USING X-RAY FLUORESCENCE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Third Place : Casper Graham, Dr. Chas Bolton, Dr. Laura Wetzel, and Dr. Kelly Debure<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/srscaspergraham2026\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CYCLIC PORE FLUID PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS THROUGHOUT THE LABORATORY EARTHQUAKE CYCLE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Third Place: Nilo Khoury, Dr. Patrick Schwing, Matthew Garrett, Ariana Cory, Thea Rind, Matthew Price, Ja\u2019kiah Cooper, Dr. Rebekka Larson, Dr. Gregg Brooks<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/khourystudentsymposium?usp=sharing\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CORRELATIONS BETWEEN BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA PRESENCE, SEDIMENTOLOGY, AND CTD DATA ACROSS THE WEST FLORIDA SHELF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>HUMANS AND OTHERS<\/p>\n<p>First Place: Zoe London, Dr. Jessica S. Leffers<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/london-leffers-splats2026\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TO SPLAT OR NOT TO SPLAT? INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF ANTHROPIC THINKING ON BEHAVIOR IN VARIOUS ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Second Place: Nicole Vogler<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/mindthegapbrexitcinemathelongt\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MIND THE GAP: BREXIT CINEMA, THE LONG TAKE, AND BRITISH NATIONAL IDENTITY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Second Place: Sofia Salko, Kayla Fenton, Dr. DeAnna Bay-Markins<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/dormingwithapet\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES OF DORMING WITH A PET THROUGH PHOTO ELICITATION<\/a><\/p>\n<p>MARINE VERTEBRATES<\/p>\n<p>First Place: Lydia Hughes, Nancy Smith, William Szelistowski<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/stingray-ectoparasites\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MARINE ECTOPARASITE COMMUNITIES ON BATOID HOSTS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Second Place: Lily Boucher, Anna Erftenbeck, Claudia Knickrehm, Kiara Gantt, Kinga Jung, Josh Foye, Emma Sorace, Morgan Macrobbie, Rory Laffey, Taj Sorensen, Dr. Shannon Gowans, Dr. Amy NS Siuda<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/microplasticsstiburoboucher\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CONCENTRATIONS OF MICROPLASTICS IN SPHYRNA TIBURO GASTROINTESTINAL TRACTS FROM TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Third Place : Myles de Szendeffy, Boa Lee, Harper Chrabascz, Olivia Lord, Will Freeman, Dr. David Durieux<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/seasonal-and-diel-trends\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SEASONAL AND DIEL TRENDS OF COASTAL FISH DIVERSITY IN TAMPE BAY, FLORIDA<\/a><\/p>\n<p>MARINE INVERTEBRATES<\/p>\n<p>First Place: Megan Reed, Katie Lankowicz<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/meganreedbiofoulingimpactsonea\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BIOFOULING IMPACTS ON EASTERN OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA) GROWTH AND OYSTER CONDITION INDEX<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Second Place: Lilly Branton, Taylor Queen, Gillian Smith, Eliza Patty, Hannah Craft, Rebecca Meburg, Daniel Holstein, George Xue, Philip Gravinese<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/eckerd-symposium-2026-branton?usp=sharing\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">STONE CRAB LARVAE REVERSE THEIR PHOTOTAXIS SWIMMING RESPONSE IN REDUCED SEAWATER PH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Third Place: Gillian Smith, Taylor Queen, Jason Spadaro, Philip Gravinese<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/smithsymposium\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ASSESING THE IMPACT OF ELEVATED TEMPERATUES ON CARIBBEAN KING CRAB PHYSIOLOGY BETWEEN UPPER AND LOWER KEY POPULATIONS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY<\/p>\n<p>First Place: Akari Miura, Krishnakanth Kondabolu, Sydnee Dymock, Max Stern, Dadi Gao, Ricardo Simeon Harripaul, Anil Chekuri, Elisabetta Morini, Susan A. Slaugenhaupt<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/akari-miura\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL ORAL COMPOUND THAT RESTORES ELP1 SPLICING AND RESCUES GAIT ATAXIA AND RETINAL DEGENERATION IN A MOUSE MODEL OF FAMILIAL DYSAUTONOMIA<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Second Place: Finn Topham, Shohei Takaoka, Xiangbo Ruan<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/znf408rp\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF ZNF408 MUTANTS IN RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Third Place: Emma Egan, Ieva Miceikaite, PhD, Michael Talkowski, PhD<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/eckerd.edu\/emma-egan-ff-nifs\/home\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SIZE SELECTION TO ENRICH FETAL FRACTION IN NON-INVASIVE DEEP EXOME FETAL SEQUENCING<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Research Symposium Alumni JudgesAnimal Behavior: Joy Vincent \u201918; Rayetta Henderson \u201900; Madeline Ketner \u201923; Kayla Fulkerson \u201922Corals: Jennifer Flannery \u201905; Thomas Moore \u201999; Isabela Rios \u201921Environmental Science: Kiana Sladicki \u201917; Olivia Spicer \u201922; Alexandra Barone \u201917; Chris Bauer \u201907; Michelle Durr \u201916Geology: Rosemary Burkhalter-Castro \u201919; Jacob Fillingham \u201919Humans and Others: Kenneth Tremblay \u201918; Lauren O\u2019Dell \u201916; Mary Hilgeman \u201906Marine Invertebrates: Skye Dibner \u201920; Melissa Berrien Elliott \u201906; Dr. Jason Baer \u201917Marine Vertebrates: Brittany Evans \u201917; Cecilia Thompson \u201921; Cat Brown \u201988; Dominique Lazarre \u201906; Michelle Carpenter \u201915; Kelly Cusick \u201921; Celina Ceballos \u201921Molecular and Cell Biology: Bill Tench \u201971; Jane Petro \u201968; Chris Dukes \u201913; Guy Bradley \u201985; Barbara Del Castello \u201915; Diana Huestis \u201903<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"19th Annual Research Symposium Winners ANIMAL BEHAVIOR First Place: Emma Bakhshi, Kade Jackson, No\u00e9 Morales, Holger BeckBAD BLOOD&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":262840,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[113401,202,204,203,199,201,200,113402],"class_list":["post-262839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-st-petersburg","tag-research-symposium","tag-st-pete","tag-st-pete-headlines","tag-st-pete-news","tag-st-petersburg","tag-st-petersburg-headlines","tag-st-petersburg-news","tag-student-showcase-week"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=262839"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262839\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/262840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=262839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=262839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=262839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}