Dr. Keisha Bahr Principal Investigator

2019 - present | She/her

Dr. Keisha Bahr is an Associate 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.

Nataly Gutierrez Isaza, PH.D. Post-doctoral researcher

2025 - PRESENT | She/her

Dr. Gutierrez isaza earned her Ph.D. in biological sciences from the University of Queensland in 2022. Originally from Columbia, Dr. Gutierrez Isaza posesses a strong interest in understanding reef dynamics, including the drivers of coral reef degradation, coral reproductive biology, and the traits that influence coral species' adaptation and resilience.

Dr. Gutierrez Isaza enjoys exploring nature, photography, team sports, and engaging with coastal communities in her free time.

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

Jack Willians, M.Sc.
Research Aquarist

2024 - Present | he/him

Jack earned his B.S in marine biology from Hawaii Pacific University in 2012, after which he travelled,d working on reef management projects in the Seychelles and Maldives. He then earned his M.S. in marine biology from Bangor University. Before joining CROH, Jack worked as an aquarist at Sealife Aquarium in London.

Jack enjoys SCUBA diving, skiing, and travelling/exploring new places in his free time.

Morgan Coleman, B.Sc.
Research Technician

2024 - present | she/her

Morgan earned her B.Sc. from Louisiana State Univesity in 2024. In her undergraduate work, Morgan focused on applying histopathological and light microscopy techniques to study disease and reproduction in corals for multiple federal, state, and privately funded research projects. Morgan started her M.Sc. coursework with Dr. Bahr in Fall 2025 while she maintains her full-time research technician position.

Morgn enjoys snorkeling, paddle boarding, watching baseball, and SCUBA diving in her free time.

David Armstrong ph.d. Candidate

2022 - present | he/him

David is originally 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. Candidate

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. 

Eleanor Tenbrink, B.Sc.
Ph.D. Student

2024 - present | She/her

El completed her B.Sc. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Marine and Coastal Resources and began her Ph.D. coursework in marine biology in Fall 2024.

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

2023 - present | she/her

Kate is originally from Corpus Christi, TX. She started as a master’s student in the Fisheries and Mariculture program at TAMU-CC in Fall 2023. Her career goal is 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 sports games - Especially baseball games!