Emily’s research at UF utilizes high-resolution mass spectrometry to investigate per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) and other contaminants in the aquatic environment. At UF, Emily developed a methodology for PFAS extraction from Florida manatee blood using dried blood spot cards, offering a minimally invasive procedure for whole blood collection and analysis.
Tag: Spotlight
ADVISORY BOARD SPOTLIGHT: Michael Shirley
Michael Shirley, Ph.D. Deputy Director, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection Florida Department of Environmental Protection Michael Shirley has had a long career devoted to environmental protection with a focused science-based management approach. He received a Ph.D. in Marine Science… Read More
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Amanda Chappel
Amanda Chappel, an Environmental Engineering Sciences PhD student in Dr. Elise Morrison’s lab, is studying the ecosystem effects of coastal eutrophication and its implications on nutrient cycling dynamics in estuarine systems, with the goal of supporting effective management strategies that… Read More
ADVISORY BOARD SPOTLIGHT: Jen Lomberk, Esq.
Jen Lomberk, an attorney specializing in environmental law and policy, recently joined the CCS Advisory Board. Lomberk has worked on projects spanning a broad spectrum of environmental issues ranging from stormwater regulation in the state of Florida to national park… Read More
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Lily Du
Dr. Lili Du’s research integrates optimization, network modeling, machine learning, control, and data analytics approaches into transportation system analysis with the main focuses on autonomous vehicle (AV), connected vehicle (CV), connected and automated vehicle (CAV), and electric vehicle (EV) impacts,… Read More
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Collin Ortals

Collin Ortals is conducting his PhD research under the guidance of Center for Coastal Solutions Director, Dr. Christine Angelini. Collin’s work is primarily located in the Matlacha Pass (Florida), a key waterway that connects the Caloosahatchee and Charlotte Harbor estuaries.… Read More
ADVISORY BOARD SPOTLIGHT: Heather W. Barron

Heather W. Barron, DVM, Dipl. ABVP‐avian, CertAqV Medical and Research Director, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) Dr. Heather Barron has been the Medical and Research Director and Head Veterinarian of the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)… Read More
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Peter Ifju
Professor Peter Ifju is a faculty member in the UF Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department and specializes in unmanned aircraft systems (drones) development for natural resource applications. He also works extensively on micro air vehicles, composite material characterization, and experimental… Read More
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Carola Forlini
Carola Forlini is a PhD student in Coastal and Oceanographic Engineering under the mentorship of Dr. Alex Sheremet (University of Florida, ESSIE). Carola holds a Bachelor’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering, a Master’s in Civil Engineering with a focus in… Read More
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Maria Fernanda Gastelu Barcena
Fernanda Gastelu is collaborating with the Center for Coastal Solutions on estuarine hydrodynamics, with a focus on understanding the exchange flows in the tidal inlets that surround Sanibel Island, Florida. Fernanda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences from Universidad… Read More