Marine Environmental Science

MES Students Help Launch Aquatic Parasite Research

Marine Environmental Science students Terry Sciarratta and Caroline Garber recently visited the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center with faculty mentor Dr. Patricia O’Leary. As part of a specialized workshop, the students engaged in in-depth discussions with senior scientists on topics such as research design, methodologies, and securing grant funding to support emerging marine science initiatives. They also toured a cutting-edge genetics research facility, examined marine parasites under the microscope, and collected live specimens from a surrounding tidal marsh, gaining valuable hands-on experience in field and lab techniques.

This visit was the foundation for a year-long research project investigating aquatic parasites in shrimp and crabs along the East Coast. As part of the study, MES students will regularly monitor collection containers deployed at SUNY Maritime's waterfront, retrieve crustacean specimens, and screen them for parasites in the lab. The project strengthens field research skills and contributes to a growing body of knowledge on parasite-host relationships in coastal ecosystems.

Natalie Garrow's Experience at the Williams-Mystic Coastal & Ocean Studies Program

Marine Environmental Science student Natalie Garrow spent a transformative semester in the Williams-Mystic Coastal & Ocean Studies Program. This unique interdisciplinary experience blends science, policy, history, and literature through hands-on learning. The semester began in Mystic, Connecticut, where Natalie lived and studied with fellow students, taking intensive courses including Marine Policy, Literature of the Sea, Maritime History, and a science course in Oceanography or Marine Ecology. A highlight of the program was a 10-day offshore sailing voyage, where students disconnected from electronics and immersed themselves in life aboard a ship, conducting water sampling, studying marine organisms, and engaging in daily lessons at sea. Natalie also honed her creativity throughout the semester through a woodcarving skills class. She participated in field seminars exploring environmental and cultural issues across the Pacific Northwest, Louisiana, and Massachusetts.

From visiting the Makah Tribe in Washington and discussing tribal sovereignty, to exploring climate change impacts with the Choctaw Tribe in Louisiana, Natalie’s experience demonstrated how deeply interwoven environmental issues are with cultural and social dynamics. She examined shark conservation policies in the U.S. and explored spiritual views of sharks in Hawaiian and Chinese traditions. In New Bedford, Massachusetts, she learned firsthand about the offshore wind industry and engaged in active policy debates. Natalie reflects on the program as “truly unforgettable,” emphasizing the deep friendships, professional connections, and hands-on learning that shaped her academic and personal growth. She encourages MES students to apply during their sophomore or junior year to make the most of this life-changing opportunity.