Dr. Keisha Bahr Principal Investigator

2019 - present | She/her

Dr. Keisha Bahr is an Assistant Professor of Marine Biology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She completed her B.Sc. in Marine Biology and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is a classically trained marine ecologist with a specialized focus on the physiological response of calcifying organisms to multiple stressors. She has over a decade of experience collaborating with academic, government, and non-governmental institutions to develop the knowledge and tools to restore, preserve, and manage our marine ecosystems.

Dr. Bahr is a first-generation student and understands the importance of community. Therefore, she is committed to cultivating a productive and supportive environment where her team can work collaboratively to solve the problems facing our valuable marine ecosystems.

Dr. Conall McNicholl
Postdoctoral Researcher

2021 - present | he/him

Conall is a Postdoctoral Researcher based at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology. His research interests lie in organismal physiology and investigating the underlying mechanisms that drive organismal response to environmental change. He received a B.Sc. in Biology at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA and a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL. Prior to joining the Bahr Lab, Conall was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Monaco, France where he used radioisotopes to determine how climate change stressors affect heavy metal bioaccumulation in seafood. In his spare time, Conall loves eating tacos and making sweet, funky soundtracks for the lab to listen to.

dr. Abby Cannon
postdoctoral researcher

Starting Spring 2024

Abby’s research focuses on the ecology of biogenic benthic habitats. Her first research experience in this topic was volunteering to help Dr. Levi Lewis (then an PhD student in Dr. Jen Smith’s lab at Scripps Institution of Oceanography) study coral reef ecology on Maui’s leeward coast. Abby later received the NSF GRFP and joined the Smith lab as a PhD student where her research focused on the impact of animal disturbances on Caribbean seagrass beds and the impacts of commercial seaweed farms on tropical marine habitats. Since completing her PhD, she has studied seagrass ecology in California and the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Her research in the Bahr lab will focus on the impacts of proposed marine carbon removal and natural and human-caused turbidity on corals. When not studying corals and seagrasses or teaching inside or outside of the classroom, Abby enjoys surfing, SCUBA diving, hiking, and sleeping late.

Robert Bretzing, M.SC.
RESEARCH SPECIALIST

2023 - present | HE/HIM

Robert Bretzing completed his Associate of Science in Illinois before transferring to TAMUCC to finish his B.Sc. in Biology with a concentration in Marine Biology in 2020. After which he continued on with a Master’s of Science in Fisheries and is projected to graduate with his degree in Fall 2023. Robert loves anything marine science-related but has a soft spot for freshwater and saltwater fishes.

In his free time, Robert enjoys nothing more than relaxing at home with his dog Bubba.

Contact: robert.bretzing-tungate@tamucc.edu

Twitter: @robert_bretzing

BRIANA MATTHEWS, B.SC.
RESEARCH TECHNICIAN

2023 - present | SHE/HER

Briana Matthews earned her B.Sc. in Marine Biology from Eckerd College in 2020. After graduation she interned with Mote Marine Lab working with their Coral Reproduction team to learn the ins and outs of Caribbean coral spawning and husbandry. Her goal is to pursue a master's degree in coral conservation and ecology, and hopes to continue with research into coral larvae and reproduction. Briana is an avid SCUBA diver and has dove in FL, the Keys, Cuba, and Belize and hopes to add more places to the list! Originally from Virginia, Briana has lived all up and down the east coast from Maine to the Florida Keys. Her favorite National Park is Acadia in Bar Harbor, ME, which she tries to visit at least once a year.

Contact: briana.matthews@tamucc.edu Twitter: brimatthews98

Eleanor Tenbrink, B.Sc.
RESEARCH TECHNICIAN

2021 - present | She/her

El completed her B.Sc. in Environmental Science Major with a concentration in Marine and Coastal Resources. She is currently taking a year to work as a research technician before pursuing her Ph.D. in Marine Biology.

Tina Sheild, B.SC. Post-Bacc Research Assistant

2024 - PRESENT | She/her

Tina is from Austin, TX, and moved to Corpus Christi for her undergraduate degree at TAMU-CC where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology in the Spring 2023 semester. Tina is currently working as a postbaccalaureate research assistant heading the coral processing for various projects. Outside of work, Tina’s hobbies include drawing, cooking, and reading romance novels to name a few.

Alexandra Good, M.sc. Ph.D. Candidate

2020 - present | she/her

Alex is a Ph.D. student, originally from Cape Cod, MA. She received a B.Sc. in Marine Science in 2017 and a M.Sc. in Marine Studies in 2020 from the University of Delaware. Between these degrees, Alex taught 8th grade science at Roxbury Prep Charter School in Boston, MA where she discovered a passion for teaching and science communication. She has dreamed of becoming a marine biologist since she was 8 years old and fell in love with the coral reef ecosystem while earning her SCUBA certification at 12 years old. In her free time, she is a die-hard Boston sports fan and enjoys traveling to scuba dive, snowboard, hike, or just relax with a good book and enjoy mother nature.  

Contact: agood1@islander.tamucc.edu Twitter: @sciencegal_al
Blue Sky: @sciencegalal.bsky.social
Website: Science Gal Al

David Armstrong ph.d. Student

2022 - present | he/him

David is orginally from Buford, Georgia. David completed his B.Sc. in biological sciences (minor in environmental science) from the College of Coastal Georgia. David has extensive experience in fabricating aquatic life support systems for research and commercial grade artificial aquatic ecosystems. From this unique experience, he developed a love for the complex environmental interactions surrounding coral reefs. With family roots in Hawaiʻi, David’s research goals include progressing on impactful hypotheses focused on the preservation and understanding of coral species. In his free time, David enjoys surfing, wildlife photography, backpacking, mechanics, guitar, and sports with his colleagues.

Contact: davidxstrong@gmail.com
Instagram: @alexarmstrong._

Kelley Savage, M.Sc. Ph.D. STudent

2022 - present | she/her

Kelley Savage is a PhD student in the Coastal and Marine System Science program working with Dr. Jennifer Pollack, Dr. Keisha Bahr, and Dr. Xinping Hu. She earned a B.Sc. in Geography from the University of Texas at Austin and a M.Sc. in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Her Master’s thesis focused on salinity recommendations needed to regulate Perkinsus marinus in Texas oyster reefs. From 2017 to 2022, Kelley worked at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute as a Research Associate with NOAA’s National Estuarine Research Reserve program. For her dissertation research she is assessing carbon sequestration in oyster reefs.

Kelley was born and raised in Texas. When Kelley is not researching oysters, she loves being outdoors, camping, traveling, and eating great food. Fun fact - for about six years she kept honeybees in Blanco, Texas and in the last few years has taken up an interest in fly fishing.

Contact: ksavage1@islander.tamucc.edu
Twitter: sealevelsavage

daphne white, b.sc.
Ph.d Student

2022-present | she/her

Daphne currently works as a Laboratory Technician at the Coastal Conservation and Restoration lab at Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and plans to start her Ph.D. in the Marine Biology program at TAMUCC in the Spring of 2024. She completed her B.Sc. in Biology with a marine concentration at TAMUCC in 2022. Her first research experience was working as an undergraduate researcher for Dr. Jennifer Pollack studying oyster reefs. Here, she completed her first research project involving oyster reef restoration with biodegradable aquaculture bags. Next, she studied the impacts of dredging on Caribbean reef-building corals for her undergraduate honors thesis under the mentorship of Dr. Keisha Bahr. Her research in the Bahr lab will focus on monitoring oyster reef calcification to help inform management to keep areas closed or open to harvest. 

Daphne is from New Braunfels, TX, where she developed her appreciation for the outdoors. In her free time, she enjoys camping, cooking, swimming, and traveling. 

Bryanna Herrera M.SC. Student

2022 - present | she/her

Bryanna Herrera is a native Texan, born and raised in San Antonio. She graduated from St. Mary’s University with her B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. She is always curious and strives to answer the “why’s” and “how’s” of life. After gaining research experience in the nuclear engineering field, she found a strong desire and passion to pursue a career in research. Bryanna has high regards for inclusivity, extending to interdisciplinary studies, and wants to apply her background in engineering to her love and curiosity for sea life. In her free time, Bryanna enjoys reading, skiing in the winter (with the recent addition of snowboarding), going to the gym (even though soreness arises), spending quality time with family and friends, and playing with her two beagles.

Contact: bherrera17@islander.tamucc.edu
Instagram: @joyfulbry

Casey Gallagher, B.sc. M.Sc. Student

2023 - present | she/her

Casey Gallagher is a native Houstonian who graduated from TAMUCC with a B.Sc. in Biology and a Minor in Studio art. She has a deep connection to the aquatic world, as she is a swimmer, SCUBA diver, sailor, and hobby aquarium keeper. She will pursue a career in marine aquaculture and conservation. While currently employed by TAMUCC as a Research Technician for the Bahr Lab conducting aquarium-based research, she will begin a Marine Biology Masters Program in Fall 2023.

kate gomez-rangel, b.sc. M.sc. student

2023 - present | she/her

Kate is originally from Corpus Christi, TX. She is a Biology major with an emphasis in Marine Biology. Her career goals are to conduct research to make new discoveries and spread awareness about life in the ocean. In her free time, Kate enjoys surfing, kayaking, traveling, watching Harry Potter movies, and attending sport games especially baseball games!

Ikelau Ruci Otto
Research Fellow
Palau International Coral Reef Center

Summer 2022 | she/her

Nichole Dopp

SHE/HER

Biology
Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi

Jared Kusner

him/his

Mechanical Engineering
Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi

Brittany Marx

SHE/HER

Mechanical Engineering
Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi

Mohammad Aljohani

him/his

Marine Biology & International Business
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Erin lausterer

SHE/HER

Marine Biology
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Malia martin

SHE/HER

Global Environmental Science
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Ignacio Rueda

HE/HIM

Biology
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Skye Inn

SHE/HER

Global Environmental Science
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Maile Coberly

SHE/HER

Marine Biology
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Eleanor Tenbrink

SHE/HER

Environmental Science
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Soleil DeLorge

Undergraduate Researcher
2023 - present | she/her

Soleil is an undergraduate student studying biology with an emphasis in marine biology at TAMU-CC. She has always had a tremendous curiosity about the oceans and what lives and thrives in them. Additionally, Soleil is passionate about applying her knowledge to keep marine ecosystems healthy. Her future goals consist of pursuing a Masters in Marine Biology, studying Cetology, and furthering her education through marine field and lab experiences.

Soleil has a committed passion to take her love for photography and use it to teach others about our world's oceans and sea life. She is excited to work with experienced researchers and colleagues at the Bahr Lab. In her free time, she enjoys scuba diving, photography, spending time with loved ones, and exploring nature.

Student Email: Sdelorge@islander.tamucc.edu Instagram: soleil.d

Autumn Hampton

Undergraduate Researcher
LSAMP Scholar
2023 - present | she/her

Autumn Hampton is currently a senior at TAMU-CC studying Marine Biology with a minor in Environmental Science. She is expected to graduate in the Fall of 2024 and wants to go to graduate school (hopefully at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa!) with dreams of pursuing a career as a coral research scientist. Autumn has had a deep interest in the ocean and its creatures since she was 8 years old after finding a Jacque Cousteau book, The Ocean World, on her grandmother’s coffee table. Autumn’s passion for corals was solidified by her attendance to a 6-week marine science program hosted in Andros, Bahamas in 2021.

Autumn loves any activities that involve being in nature and takes advantage of living in Corpus Christi by going to the beach any chance she gets! She also enjoys SCUBA diving, kayaking, hiking, and is currently learning how to surf.

Alessandro Baccherini

Undergraduate Intern 2024 - present | He/Him

Alessandro (Sandro) Baccherini is an undergraduate student studying Biology with a marine concentration at TAMUCC. He was born and raised in North Texas but has always had a fascination with the ocean and all the life that inhabits it. Sandro hopes to finish his undergraduate degree and go on to complete a master's degree. 

Sandro has been playing the saxophone for the past 10 years and has been fortunate enough to participate in many national competitions and conferences in his years of playing music. Currently, Sandro performs with the Wind Symphony and the Jazz Band here at TAMUCC.

Megan humphrey, B.Sc.

NSF postbaccalaureate
2022 - 2023 | She/her

Megan Humphrey finished up her NSF training with the Bahr Lab and is now pursuing her Master’s in Renewable Natural Resources with a concentration in fisheries and aquaculture. at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. She is in the process of developing my thesis which will investigate the presence of algal produced toxins in coastal Louisiana waters, and the implications this may have concerning toxin accumulation among tropic levels.

meLODIE HILL, M.SC.

SHE/HER

After completing her time with the Bahr Lab, Melodie plans to move to Washington state to focus on growing herself, and her family.

Zoe ruben, m.Sc.

M.Sc. Student
2021 - 2023 | she/her

Zoe Ruben graduated with her master's degree in marine biology with a focus in coral reef ecology and genetics. Zoe will conclude her work as a research technician in The Center for Water Supply Studies before relocating in August for her position as a science policy fellow with the National Academies of Science Gulf Research Program.

Margaret harpe, B.sc.

NSF postbaccalaureate
2022 - 2023 | She/her

Margaret Harpe finished her NSF training in the Bahr Lab and is currently working as an Environmental Scientist at Halff Associates Inc. Margaret plans to pursue her Master’s and is looking into schools. In the meantime she is working on preparing a manuscript with Bahr Lab data from 2013 dealing with net ecosystem calcification and photosynthesis of Hawaii reef communities under climate change stressors.

Iris Fuentes, B.Sc.

Undergraduate Researcher
2022 - 2023 | she/her

Iris completed her B.Sc. in Biology with a concentration in Marine and has been accepted into the Environmental Science Masters program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi under Dr. Shawn McCracken

Victoria Blesa, B.Sc.

Undergraduate Researcher
2021 - 2023 | She/her

Victoria graduated with a B.Sc. in Marine Biology and a minor in Environmental Science. She will be moving to Alaska to become a NOAA fisheries observer gathering data on fishing effort, sampling for species composition, and collecting biological data from both prohibited and target species.

Gabriella Herrera, B.sc

Undergraduate Researcher
LSAMP Scholar
2019 - present | She/Her

Gabriella Herrera is from Houston, TX. She is an undergraduate at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi planning to get her BS in Biology with a concentration in Marine  Science. Her career goal is to work with aquariums to help conserve marine life. 

Ignacio Rueda, B.Sc.

Undergraduate Researcher
LSAMP & NOAA CCME Scholar
2021 - 2023 | He/HIM

Ignacio graduated with his B.Sc in Biology with a concentration in Marine Science in 2023. He started graduate school in fall 2023 in the Biogeochemistry & Ecology Research Group with Dr. Travis Courtney in Puerto Rico.

Ashleigh epps, M.Sc.

M.Sc. Student
2020 - 2022 | she/her

Ashleigh completed her M.Sc. degree in marine biology at TAMU-CC with the Bahr Marine Ecology Lab in 2022. Ashleigh has since moved to Washington state and is the Aquaculture Specialist at Washington Sea Grant.

Twitter: @ash.seas, Instagram: @coralstomorals

Website: https://www.coralstomorals.com/

Morgan Bruce, b.sc.

Undergraduate Researcher
2020 - 2022 | She/her

Morgan completed her B.Sc. in Environmental Science at TAMU-CC where she completed her undergraduate research on plankton species in Packery Channel, TX. She is now a Research Analyst at Wharton County Junior College.

Rissy Gates, b.sc.

Undergraduate Researcher
NOAA CcME SCholar
2021 - 2022 | sHe/Her

Rissy earned her B.Sc. in Biology from TAMU-CC where she completed her undergraduate research on coral morphology of Texas corals in the Bahr Marine Ecology Lab.

Abby Tripler, m.sc.

Visiting M.SC. Student
2021 | she/her

Abby completed her M.Sc. from Northeastern University in 2022.

Justin Stringer

Lab Volunteer
2020 - 2021 | He/HIM

Justin Stringer received his B.A. in Pyschology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Spring 2021. Justin is currently working at the Texas State Aquarium.

Dr. Laura Jenkins

Research associate
2021 | She/her

Laura Jenkins is a Research Associate specializing in reproductive physiology. Laura is originally from the Boston, MA area. She completed a B.S. in Aquatic Wildlife Biology and a B.A. in Organism Biology and Ecology at the University of Montana, Missoula, and a Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Idaho.

Caleb Ramos, B.Sc.

Undergraduate Researcher
LSAMP SCHOLAR
2019 - 2021 | He/HIM

Caleb Ramos is from Corpus Christi, TX and received his B.Sc. in Biology from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi in the Spring of 2021.

Andrew Johnson

Undergraduate Researcher
2021 | He/HIM

Andrew is currently conducting research with the Turner research group at TAMU-CC.