Bryan Armstrong

My name is Bryan Armstrong and I am a Master’s student in Marine Biology at the NSU Oceanographic Center, currently working on my thesis on the pelagic long line fishing gear and its effects on large pelagic fishes. I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio and received my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from The College of Wooster in Ohio. Since there is no ocean in Northeast Ohio, I moved to Florida a few years ago to teach diving and then begin my grasuate degree program. Taking the Great Barrier Reef course is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to visit the GBR and I look forward to everything we will see and learn.

Dina Benes

Hi! My name is Dina. I am a third-year grad student at Nova Southeastern University, working on my Master’s degree in Coastal Zone Management. I did my undergraduate work in Myrtle Beach, SC at Coastal Carolina University, majoring in Marine Science with a minor in biology. I am currently living at home in Chicago while writing my capstone on invasive species and their impacts on the Great Lakes. Marine biology has always been a passion of mine since I was a little girl. I moved away from Chicago after high school to pursue my dreams and found myself even more in love with the ocean. This trip to Australia seems so surreal to me, knowing that my dream has come true!

Jessica Boyd

Hello y’all! My name is Jessica Boyd and I’m a senior undergrad student at Nova. I’m a double major, Marine Biology and Humanities spec. in gender studies, however my obsession is the ocean as anyone I know would tell you. I’m originally from the fantastic state of Maryland, but came down to Florida to study about four years ago. I plan on continuing on to graduate school and eventually specializing in marine mammal rescue/conservation. I have previously been studying the effects of beach renourishment on macroinfauna off of south Florida’s coasts and now I’m looking forward to broadening my marine experience with this trip. I’ve been wanting to dive the Great Barrier for as long as I can remember so I’m extremely excited to go to Aussie and take in the experience.

Tandace Burkhart

Greetings everyone! My name is Tandace Burkhart. I am 19 years old and I am a junior in the Marine Biology undergraduate program at Nova Southeastern University. I grew up in the Midwest (Kansas specifically). I found my passion for Marine Biology while I was living on Oahu in a small town called Hawaii Kai. I heard about the Australia trip my first year here at Nova and it has been calling my name ever since. Now, I am finally on my way and ready to take on all of the challenges that may come, meet great people and have a fantastic time on the Great Barrier Reef!

Kate Dunlop

Hi, my name is Kate Dunlop. I am currently a second year graduate student, studying Coastal Zone Management at NSU. While my thesis focuses on wetland ecology and invasive fish within the Greater Everglades, I am very excited to be going to Australia and studying the coral reef fish. I am hoping this class will broaden my knowledge on marine taxa and provide me with some unforgettable experiences during the process.

Sharein El-Tourky

Hello!! My name is Sharein El-Tourky, but Dr. Thomas will probably have you calling me reenie. I am Undergraduate Marine Biology major at NSU in my junior year and I am from the GREAT STATE OF NEW YORK! I wanted to be a marine biologist since I was seven years old and I have wanted to travel to Australia for almost as long. I am a big dreamer and I am so excited that my dream to go to Australia is going to finally come true! Shout out to those who made this magic moment possible- My Family, God.... and Tandance!!!

Lindsay Glassman

Hello! My name is Lindsay Glassman and I am currently working on a Master’s degree in Marine Biology at Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center. Originally from New Jersey, I moved to South Florida in 2001 to attend the University of Miami, where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science and Biology in 2005. I love to travel and have been blessed to have the opportunity to do so. During my undergraduate career, I spent three months traveling around the world with a study-abroad program called Semester at Sea. I have always wanted to go to Australia and I am so excited for my first visit!

Ashley Johnson

Hello there! My name is Ashley Johnson and I am currently a junior/senior at NSU, pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology. I am interested in a career that involves the rehabilitation and release of marine mammals back into the wild. I am 21 years old and originally from Brooklyn, NY. I am so excited to have the opportunity to go to Australia, and I look forward to being introduced to a bunch of new species, as well as new experiences.

Ethan Machemer

My name is Ethan Machemer, I am a student at the NSUOC working on my Masters degree in Marine Biology, investigating at reef fish recruitment. I am originally from upstate New York, and received a BA in Biology from the University of Virginia. I've been in the water since I was four months old and loved it ever since, and have always dreamed of getting to the Great Barrier Reef. Having been to Belize with Dr. T, I knew I couldn't pass this up, especially with all the great people going. I'm looking forward to being overwhelmed and amazed by the abundance and diversity there, and excited to experience a totally new part of the world as well as seeing what all the hoopla over vegemite is all about.

Lauren McCarthy

Hi, my name is Lauren McCarthy and I am a second year master’s student at NSUOC. I am working on a thesis studying grass shrimp in Florida’s Everglades. I am originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania where I received a BS in biology from West Chester University. Since I am from a small farming town, I had never snorkeled or dived before coming to Florida. My first major snorkeling adventure was with Dr. Thomas in Belize and it was amazing. I cannot wait to see the Great Barrier Reef and what Australia has to offer.

Carolina Ricchi

Hey guys! My name is Carolina Ricchi, and I’m an undergraduate at Nova Southeastern University. I have finished my second year at NSU, and am currently working on a degree in Marine Biology. I’m originally from Rome, Italy, and I moved to the United States seven years ago to pursue my interest in the marine sciences. I am interested in working with marine mammals, preferably dolphins, and studying dolphin communication. I plan to transfer to Hawaii to continue my studies in the future. I’m super excited to go to Australia, and I still can’t believe I’ll soon be in the land down under! I know I’ll have tons of fun, learn about other aspects of marine life, and meet great new people!

Magdalena (Maddie) Kwapinska

Hi. My name is Magdalena Kwapinska but everyone calls me Maddie (it’s easier for all of us). I am the teaching assistant for this year’s Great Barrier Reef Ecology class and this is my second trip down under. I was on Dr T’s 2006 GBR course. I also am a double Master’s degree student in Marine Biology and Coastal Zone Management at the Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Center. My research for my thesis involves the anatomy and taxonomy of a new species of a commensal amphipod crustacean.