Barry University biology students recently participated at the 2026 Benthic Ecology Meeting, held March 1–4, 2026 in Virginia Beach. Eight undergraduate students and one alumna attended the conference, where they presented research across a diverse range of topics. Travel for these students was funded by the College of Arts and Sciences, with supplemental support from the Department of Biology.

Marine Biology majors Andria Conliffe and Charissa Taylor presented their poster examining how salinity impacts the growth of red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) propagules. Their work was among several student-led projects highlighting critical issues in coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Ernest Charles explored greenhouse gas flux in salt marsh sediments through his study on mechanical bioturbation, while Dicarlo Davis investigated how diet influences growth rates in lab-raised Cerith sand snails. Research by Hayley Boyle and Jessie Wiles, BarryU alumna, utilized small field cameras to monitor fish populations in mangrove habitats.

During a special session, Ainsley Vanderhyde delivered an oral presentation focused on environmental risks associated with WWII shipwrecks. Her work addressed data gaps in NOAA’s RULET database and modeled potential oil spill scenarios.

Students Yesiana Herrera and Jynell George also contributed to the conference with their project on locomotor strategies in arboreal mangrove tree crabs. Reflecting on her first conference experience, George shared, “The scheduled talks were captivating and allowed me to strengthen my knowledge on the world of ecology… Many people were interested in our poster and spent a lot of time conversing with us about how we could further our research.”

For other students, this experience assisted them in building confidence and professional connections. “The Benthic Ecology Meeting was a wonderful experience to immerse myself into the field, while fostering new connections,” said Vanderhyde. Similarly, Davis noted the value of expanding his research experience and how making new connections gave him more confidence.

Faculty mentorship played a key role in preparing students for the conference, with guidance from Dr. Michael Robinson, Dr. Silvia Macia and Dr. Janne Pfeiffenberger. Most students conducted their research at Barry University, while one was completed at the Office of Response and Restoration at NOAA and supported by NOAA funding.

Experiences like the Benthic Ecology Meeting highlight Barry University and the Department of Biology’s commitment to providing students with opportunities to apply their knowledge in professional settings while also preparing them to contribute to the scientific community.