“I worked on quantifying damage within No Internal Combustion Motor Zones over the past three decades to provide valuable data on how this specific form of seagrass damage has changed over time,” said Markell, who now leads a team of interns during her second term with NASA Develop.
“This project developed my knowledge of GIS, which strengthened my work with NASA Develop,” the New Smyrna Beach native said.
“It gave me confidence in the hard skills I learned in my FGCU classes, like using GIS software or coding, preparing me for the workforce. I also learned a lot about project management and collaboration, which are skills that have surprised me in their value as a young professional.”
Mapping protected species habitat
In another ongoing project, faculty and students are using satellite imagery to assess the impact of development on protected species such as the gopher tortoise in Lee County. Bhatt mentored environmental studies major Katherine Luttrell, who worked with the East Lee Wildlife Stewardship Group on the research, which won a first-place award at last spring’s Eagle X student showcase.
“This project will help future developers understand where gopher tortoises are likely to be present,” Bhatt said.
“It also informs decision-makers on where there could be a possibility of gopher tortoise burrows to enforce stricter laws for rehabilitation of the species.”
As a whole, the research conducted by FGCU students and faculty is paying dividends to the Southwest Florida region that the university calls home, he said.
“These projects are focused on understanding water-related issues such as storm surges, flooding, water quality and much more and how to make our community more resilient and sustainable to the ever-changing environment,” Bhatt said.
“They align with The Water School’s mission by advancing environmental sustainability, resilience and community-focused research. Together, these projects exemplify the school’s commitment to innovative science and real-world impact.”