
Barbara’s research examines hydrology, water chemistry, and land cover changes in the watersheds of northwest Florida’s coastal dune lakes. Coastal dune lakes are considered globally rare, biologically diverse, critically imperiled because of their rarity, and thereby, vulnerable to extinction. Her research examines hydrology and water chemistry through monitoring 120 groundwater wells and the blackwater streams across 3 coastal dune lake watersheds. Her research has important implications for land management and future research concerning these globally rare lakes.

Joseph is pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Agronomy with an emphasis on crop physiology, crop management, cropping systems, and fertility management. He is responsible for various field experiments within the Cropping Systems Program at the West Florida Research and Education Center. He has an excellent agronomy, nutrient management, breeding, and statistics background. Currently, he is leading research that investigates agronomic practices to maximize Brassica carinata yield in the Southeastern United States.

Sherri is interested in native bee conservation and will be studying the Gulf Coast Solitary Bee, Hesperapis oraria. She will also be studying the ecology of pollinators that co-occur with the bee including interactions with it's host plant Balduina angustifolia. Hesperapis oraria is endemic to the dunes of the Northern Gulf coast of Florida, Alabama and a few locations in Mississippi and is believed to be monolectic with Balduina. In her free time, Sherri enjoys being a Master Beekeeper and Welsh Honey Judge while tending her own hive and educating others about the importance bees of all kinds.