Staff
Our diverse team of staff members includes graduate students and science professionals dedicated to promoting and advancing the NCBS mission.
NCBS Staff
Biological Science Staff
Siyah Younge
OPS Biologist
siyahyongue@ufl.edu
(352) 325-6078
PO Box 878 Cedar Key, FL 32625
Education
- B.S. in Marine Sciences, University of Florida
- M.S. in Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University
Research Focus
Siyah is currently working as a biologist with the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station and the Soil and Water Sciences Department. She is actively involved in the subRESTORE project, which provide insights into the health of seagrass meadows across Florida. Her work includes both lab and field research focused on understanding the carbon-to-nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios (C:N:P), general morphology, growth, reproduction, and other key ecological processes of seagrasses. With a passion for coastal ecology, animal behavior, and advocating for climate change mitigation, Siyah is dedicated to supporting efforts that protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change and human activities.
Jeremy Geiger
OPS Wildlife Technician
jeremy.geiger@ufl.edu
(352) 325-6081
PO Box 878 Cedar Key, FL 32625
Education
- B.S. Natural Resource Conservation (present), University of Florida
Enie Hensel
Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate
eniehensel@ufl.edu
(352) 325-6078
PO Box 878 Cedar Key, FL 32625
Education
- Ph.D. Biology with a concentration in Ecology & Evolution, North Carolina State University
- B.S. Zoology, minor Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, University of Florida
Research Focus
Enie is an ecologist and educator interested in mitigating the effects of multiple stressors on coastal ecosystems to promote ecosystem resilience, conservation of biodiversity, and to aid in resource sustainability. She aims for her work to ensure coastal communities can continue a culture of being intimately connected with their natural surroundings. She has conducted ecological research in coastal ecosystems internationally for over a decade and integrates a diversity of disciplines, techniques, and communities into her research to ask complex ecological questions using real-life scenarios. Interests: habitat restoration ecology, predator ecology, animal behavior, biodiversity, community structure, spatial structure of biogenic habitats, and positive species interactions.
Monica Wilson
Coastal Debris Project Coordinator
monicawilson447@ufl.edu
(727) 553-3516
140 7th Ave S, KRC 3115 St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Education
- Ph.D. Marine Science, University of South Florida
- M.S. Marine Science, University of South Florida
- B.S. Marine Science and Computer Science, Eckerd College
Research Focus
Physical Oceanography, Marine Debris
Haley Cox
Coastal Resilience Program Coordinator
haleycox@ufl.edu
(352) 294-6916
PO Box 878 Cedar Key, FL 32625
Education
- B.A. in Sustainability Studies, Minors in Environmental Science and Soil and Water Science, University of Florida
Research Focus
Haley is a Coastal Resilience Program Coordinator for Florida Sea Grant and works closely with agents and staff at the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key. She is responsible for expanding Florida Sea Grant’s capacity to conduct resilience-related extension and education programs along Florida’s Nature Coast and other vulnerable areas of the state. She works to broaden the scope and application of existing FSG programs and working groups while developing and delivering new materials and programming focused on climate and resilience.
Shae Kelliher
Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator
skelliher1@ufl.edu
(352) 477-0344
16450 NW 31st Place Chiefland, FL 32625
Lower Suwannee NWR
Research Focus
Shae is a marine mammal stranding biologist for the University of Florida Marine Animal Rescue who responds to dead, distressed, or injured cetaceans, manatees, and sea turtles in Levy, Dixie, and Taylor counties. UF MAR is part of the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network under the NMFS Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program which is partially funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The data collected from these responses help to better understand the marine mammal populations along our coast. Additionally, Shae assists in necropsies and other research projects.
Shea Husband
Biological Scientist
shusband@ufl.edu
(352) 284-6069
PO Box 878 Cedar Key, FL 32625
Education
- M.S. Wildlife Ecology, University of Florida
- B.S. Marine Sciences, University of Florida
Research Focus
I am interested in a wide range of ecological questions related to the spatial ecology of organisms, conservation of imperiled species, and patterns of variation amongst species along gradients.
Suzanna Mickey
Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator
mickeys@ufl.edu
(352) 477-0344
M16450 NW 31st Place, Chiefland FL 32625
Lower Suwannee NWR
Education
- B.Sc. in Zoology, Marine Ecology, Environmental Science, University of Florida
- Ph.D. in Ecology, Fisheries Science, and Natural Resource Management, University of Florida
Research Focus
Suzanna is a marine mammal stranding biologist for the University of Florida Marine Animal Rescue who responds to dead, distressed, or injured cetaceans, manatees, and sea turtles in Levy, Dixie, and Taylor counties. UF MAR is part of the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network under the NMFS Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program which is partially funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The data collected from these responses help to better understand the marine mammal populations along our coast. Additionally, Suzanna assists in necropsies and other research projects.
Tracey Vlasak
Biological Scientist
tvlasak@ufl.edu
(352) 543-5057
PO Box 89 Cedar Key, FL 32625
11350 SW 153rd Court Cedar Key, FL 32625
Education
- B.S. Biology & Minor in Marine Science, Stony Brook University
Research Focus
Tracey assists in the planning, organization, and management of multiple applied research and extension projects involving molluscan shellfish aquaculture and coastal ecology topics. With her background in shellfish research, monitoring, and aquaculture, she applies her knowledge and experience to the wide range of field and laboratory work related to these projects.
Morgan Edwards
Biological Scientist (position funded by FDEP)
morgan18@ufl.edu
(352) 325-6078
PO Box 878 Cedar Key, FL 32625
11350 SW 153rd Court Cedar Key, FL 32625
Education
- M.S. in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida
- B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
Research Focus
Currently, Morgan is working with the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station and Soil and Water Sciences Department as a biologist. Her work focuses on water quality sampling and seagrass monitoring in the newly designated Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve. Spanning an area from Withlacoochee down to Anclote Key, 90 water quality stations are sampled monthly for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a. Annual seagrass monitoring in Crystal River, Weeki Wachee, Pithlachascottee, and Anclote take place every summer. Additional efforts in the Preserve include marine debris removals and outreach events. This position is funded through a contract with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Jamila Roth
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
jroth2@ufl.edu
(352) 294-7639
McCarty Hall A Gainesville, FL 32611
Education
- Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Ecology, University of Florida
- B.A. in Biology and Environmental Science, Skidmore College
Research Focus
Dr. Roth joined the Seagrass Ecosystem Research program at Mote in 2023 after completing her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Ecology at the University of Florida. For her dissertation, she analyzed the impacts of environmental change and seagrass species richness on seagrass resilience and seagrass-herbivore interactions. As a member of the Seagrass Ecosystem Research program, Dr. Roth is investigating novel approaches for increasing seagrass restoration success and increasing seagrass tolerance of disturbances.
