People

Principal Investigator

Dr. Brent P. Thoma

About: Dr. Thoma spent his formative years exploring the natural beauty of Missouri's springs, streams, and lakes, but his interests in invertebrate zoology and marine biology drew him to the Gulf Coast. After taking part in the Summer Field Program at the Gulf Coast Research Lab (GCRL) as an undergraduate, Brent returned to GCRL to complete his Master's in Coastal Sciences with research broadly focused on crustacean taxonomy. After leaving GCRL, Brent completed his PhD and post-doctoral research at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette focused on molecular phylogenetic systematics of marine decapods. Brent is currently an Associate Professor and Director of Marine Science in the Department of Biology at Jackson State University. While he is broadly interested in the ecology and evolution of invertebrates, his current research is largely focused on the use of omics tools to explore the evolution and ecology of crustaceans.

Email: [email protected]

Lab Manager and Research Assistant

Elianna Fox

About: Growing up in Hawai'i, Elianna developed a profound connection to the ocean, inspiring her to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology at the University of Georgia. During her studies, she discovered a passion for community ecology, particularly in environmental interactions and adaptive strategies of coastal invertebrates. In addition to her management responsibilities as Lab Manager, she has gained expertise in molecular genomic techniques and is currently leading a project focused on Mississippi crayfish. Elianna plans to apply these skills in graduate school as she continues her research journey and works toward her ultimate goal of becoming a faculty member, leading her own lab in coastal and evolutionary ecology.

Email: [email protected]

Ocean Science Education Outreach and Event Coordinator

Andria Miller

About: Andria Miller is a native of Jackson, MS, whose passion for marine science and oceanography began during her undergraduate studies at Jackson State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Biology with a concentration in Marine Science in 2021. She continued her academic journey at the University of Rhode Island, earning a Master's in Oceanography in 2023. As the Ocean Science Education and Outreach Coordinator in the Department of Biology at Jackson State University, Andria actively engages in science communication and inspires students to connect with the ocean sciences. Her work emphasizes education, storytelling, and outreach, fostering curiosity about the marine environment within her local community.

Email: [email protected]

Graduate Students

Julian Venable

About: As doctoral candidate, Julian has come accustomed to the field of marine science throughout his tenure at Jackson State University. While completing his Bachelor’s in Biology and Minor in Chemistry, he was introduced to the world of Marine Biology through the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME). Subsequently, he has discovered the many wonders of marine ecosystems and is currently studying the diet of Lepidophthalmus louisianensis by using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding along the Gulf of Mexico.

Daija Green

About: Daija is a graduate student researching environmental DNA (eDNA) methods, metabarcoding, and PCR techniques for species identification. She studies Xanthoid crabs (mud or stone crabs), key components of nearshore habitats like oyster reefs, coral reefs, and salt marshes. Using shallow genome sequencing, she assembles complete mitochondrial genomes and repetitive nuclear regions to clarify their phylogenetic relationships. Her work generates new genomic data for these ecologically important species, which play a vital role in ecosystem health and serve as a food source for commercially and recreationally significant fishery species.

Reneisha Sweet

About: Reneisha Sweet is a Master’s student at Jackson State University with a strong passion for marine biodiversity and molecular ecology. Her research focuses on using environmental DNA (eDNA) to assess the relative abundance of Panulirus argus (Caribbean spiny lobster) and examine the biodiversity within its habitat. By integrating omics-based approaches with ecological studies, she aims to provide valuable insights into species distributions and ecosystem health, contributing to more effective conservation and management strategies. Reneisha is deeply curious about the natural world and enjoys tackling scientific challenges with enthusiasm. She is always eager to expand her skill set, whether by refining molecular techniques, analyzing complex datasets, or exploring new bioinformatics tools. Her dedication to research stems from a desire to make meaningful contributions to marine science while addressing pressing environmental issues. Beyond the lab, Reneisha is passionate about science communication and collaboration, believing that sharing knowledge is key to advancing conservation efforts. She is committed to continuous learning and hopes her work will help bridge the gap between cutting-edge genomic research and real-world applications for marine biodiversity preservation.

Kambrial Love

About: Kambrial Love is a Master's student in Biology with a concentration in Marine & Environmental Science at Jackson State University. Her research focuses on phytoplankton community composition, utilizing both morphological and molecular techniques, including DNA metabarcoding, to enhance biodiversity assessments. She is currently analyzing sequencing data using bioinformatics tools to characterize phytoplankton diversity. Her broader interests include understanding how environmental factors influence phytoplankton dynamics and their role in marine ecosystems. With hands-on experience in microscopy, PCR, and molecular techniques, she is passionate about advancing environmental monitoring methods. Kambrial is also exploring career opportunities in marine science, environmental research, and molecular ecology.