Crutchfield Fellowship Endowment

The Crutchfield Fellowships were established by John H. and Danna Crutchfield in honor of John’s late father, John W. Crutchfield, a Corpus Christi businessman and civic leader who was instrumental in the University of Corpus Christi’s transformation into today’s Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The endowment assists HRI master’s and doctoral students by providing funding for educational expenses ranging from tuition and publications, to travel associated with meetings and workshops, as well as research supplies and equipment.

LEXIE NEFFINGER, M.S.

M.S. Coastal and Marine System Science

HOMETOWN: West Springfield, Massachusetts RESEARCH GROUP: Coastal Conservation & Restoration THESIS: Developing a Bioassessment Framework to Inform Tidal Stream Management Along a Hydrologically Variable Coast GRADUATION DATE: Spring 2022

Looking back on my graduate experience, one thing I cannot understate is the generous support I was given at HRI. The relationships I made with other scientists, my graduate assistantship position, the opportunities for leadership, and the scholarships and grants I was lucky enough to receive all played a role in how I felt supported. On top of the wealth of experiences already gained through my program, the scholarship gave me workable skills (SCUBA certification), resources (lab supplies), and knowledge (access to books relevant to my thesis). This additional support enriched the already robust education and research experience I received at HRI and made me a better scientist. I am so grateful that the support I received in graduate school has allowed me to continue my career journey working towards coastal resilience.

ANTONIO CANTÚ DE LEIJA, M.S.

Ph.D. Coastal and Marine System Science

HOMETOWN: Monterrey, Nuevo León, México RESEARCH GROUP: Conservation & Biodiversity DISSERTATION: Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Foraging Habitat Availability for Waterbirds in Intertidal Zones of the Gulf of Mexico GRADUATION DATE: Spring 2025

I am a Mexican ecologist interested in the conservation and restoration of waterbirds and their habitats. I joined the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies in the fall of 2021 as a Ph.D. student in the Conservation and Biodiversity Lab after completing my master’s at Louisiana State University. HRI has a long history as a leading institution in coastal research and applied science, both for the benefit of natural resources and people. Coming here has been one of the best decisions in my professional and personal life! Over the last year, HRI has offered me numerous opportunities for training, field experience, outreach, and education, and I continue to be stunned by the support and opportunities that arise. These opportunities are possible thanks to the contributions of HRI’s donors, for whom I will always be grateful as it puts me one step closer to achieving my professional goals. Closing financial gaps is important in allowing me to focus on my research and learning; hence, without this scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to grow professionally in the same way over the last year.

CORAL LOZADA, PH.D.

Ph.D. Coastal and Marine System Science

HOMETOWN: Katy, Texas RESEARCH GROUP: Socio-Economics DISSERTATION: Livelihoods in Transition Across the Gulf of Mexico: A Three Case Study Approach GRADUATION DATE: Summer 2022

This summer I defended my research which examined the livelihood changes that coastal communities around the Gulf of Mexico are facing due to external forces, both man-made and natural. This fellowship helped support the field work and purchasing of the software necessary to complete the analysis. The most resounding and lasting impact that Crutchfield had for me personally was the opportunity it created for me to travel and spend time with both Texas Sea Grant agents and commercial shrimpers, interviewing and learning about their livelihoods and how important bridging organizations are to these fishermen. I want to thank the Crutchfield Fellowship for helping me attain my doctoral degree and becoming the first in my family to do so. I am currently a post-doctoral researcher focusing on how coastal communities perceive and interact with state and local agencies and organizations using Environmental Justice and Equity principles to guide this work.

KATE SHLEPR, PH.D.

Ph.D. Integrative Biology-Environmental Science (Florida Atlantic University)

HOMETOWN: Greenville, Wisconsin RESEARCH GROUP: Conservation & Biodiversity DISSERTATION: Evolving Response of the Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) to Urbanization and Hydrological Change in the United States GRADUATION DATE: Spring 2022

I am so grateful for my time at the Harte Research Institute. At HRI I was able to learn how to implement sound science in the context of real-world resource management. The personal relationships I built at HRI, the interests I developed inside HRI's "make a difference" mindset, and the experiences I gained as a research coordinator for the Conservation & Biodiversity Lab in the final year of my Ph.D. made me competitive for a nationwide contest, the NOAA/Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. I will be forever thankful for the support of the Crutchfield Fellowship Endowment!

LAUREN RENER, M.S.

M.S. Environmental Science

HOMETOWN: Denton, Texas RESEARCH GROUP: HydroEcology DISSERTATION: Effect of Freshwater Inflow on Mollusk Community and Population Dynamics in Estuaries GRADUATION DATE: Summer 2022

I have proudly obtained my Master of Science degree within Environmental Science at TAMU-CC. This great milestone could not have been fulfilled without the help of many who supported me along the way, but the Crutchfield Endowment provided the opportunity for this experience to take place. The Harte Research Institute provided an abundance of inspiration, tools, and exposure to what can be achieved when a community of people share a vision for making a difference through science and collaborated research. Now that I have witnessed what is possible, I am confident in the skills and abilities obtained during my time at HRI and will hold gratitude for the aid of the Crutchfield Fellowship Endowment throughout my life.

NEINA CHAPA

M.S. Coastal and Marine System Science

HOMETOWN: Tampa, Florida RESEARCH GROUP: Coastal Conservation & Restoration THESIS: Restoration of Coupled Intertidal and Subtidal Oyster Reefs to Rebuild Habitat and Fisheries in St. Charles Bay, Texas GRADUATION DATE: Fall 2023

I grew up in a very metropolitan area of Florida, where land development has a big impact on the local marine environment. This inspired me to study coastal conservation and restoration because I want to engender stewardship and rebuild degraded estuarine habitats for the enjoyment of future generations. I am extremely grateful to be the recipient of the Crutchfield Fellowship because it has helped me afford the supplies needed to conduct my research investigating the ecological benefits provided by restored intertidal and subtidal oyster reefs. Here at TAMU-CC I am fulfilling childhood aspirations by learning best restoration practices and participating in many community outreach events. I am also grateful to HRI, which encourages us to become better researchers by facilitating collaborations with scientists, stakeholders, and the public to advocate for the conservation and restoration of the unique marine ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico.

NICOLE KUMBULA

M.S. Chemistry

HOMETOWN: Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe RESEARCH GROUP: Ecosystem Science & Modeling THESIS: Total Alkalinity in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico GRADUATION DATE: Spring 2023

I am grateful for the Crutchfield Fellowship as it awarded me the privilege to study and learn abroad. My decision to join the Ecosystem Science and Modeling lab at HRI stemmed from my desire for research the intersection of earth science, computational studies, and chemistry. I have been able to achieve this through my research looking at total alkalinity dynamics in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Outside of the laboratory, I have appreciated numerous opportunities for professional development through learning from my lab group, my peers in the interdisciplinary lab groups at HRI, attending the Texas Bays and Estuaries meeting and HRI seminar series with guest speakers. These interactions have been beneficial in learning how my studies will transform the greater world.

RACHAEL KLOSE, M.S.

M.S. Fisheries and Mariculture

HOMETOWN: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania RESEARCH GROUP: Marine Resource Development THESIS: Evaluation of Various Approaches to Management of Biofouling of Oysters Using an Adjustable Longline system in Copano Bay, Texas GRADUATION DATE: Fall 2021

I was originally drawn to the Harte Research Institute because of the budding oyster industry in Texas. I am passionate about working outdoors, so a project on a research oyster farm was perfect for me. Funding for this project was provided by the Crutchfield Fellowship, which facilitated research that has helped new oyster farmers. I am very grateful for the opportunities provided to me by the fellowship.

ROSTAM MIRZADI

M.S. Biology

HOMETOWN: Castro Valley, California RESEARCH GROUP: Conservation & Biodiversity DISSERTATION: Evaluation of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for Monitoring Wading Bird Nest Abundance and Survival GRADUATION DATE: Fall 2022

After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Wildlife Conservation and Management from California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in 2014, I had my heart set on conducting research on the most imperiled wildlife species in our nation. For the next several years, I worked on research projects across a diverse assemblage of ecosystems and habitats, eventually narrowing research interests to avian ecology and conservation. Upon perusing previous work published through the Harte Research Institute, I felt that as though the structure and framework of HRI were a perfect fit for me, and I applied for, and accepted, a position within the Conservation and Biodiversity Lab. Since, I’ve been astonished at the diverse backgrounds and experience of staff. The Crutchfield Fellowship Endowment has lightened my financial burden and allowed me to focus more on conducting research and learning. My goal upon graduating is to work as a field biologist, wildlife refuge manager, or in some capacity to do as much good for the natural world as I can. When I’ve made it to that point, it’s my hope that I can in some way help the next generation of scientists in the same way you have helped me.

YVONNE SHEASBY

M.S. Environmental Science

HOMETOWN: Meraux, Louisiana RESEARCH GROUP: Community Resilience THESIS: An Analysis of Community Resilience Indicators in the South Texas Coastal Bend Region GRADUATION DATE: Fall 2022

I am from a small town south of New Orleans, Louisiana. Although my family and I were able to evacuate the previous day, we went through hardship as Hurricane Katrina refugees with our house and personal property damaged beyond repair. This situation has influenced me to pursue a career in natural disaster mitigation. Through my research, I hope to accomplish helping local governments and the citizens of the Coastal Bend by creating a methodology to better select a community resilience assessment tool that is right for their communities. I have had the best experience at HRI these past two years, including co-creating and managing the Regional Resilience Partnership’s social media pages. I am truly grateful for this scholarship because in the future and with my research, I will be able to help vulnerable populations mitigate disaster events by helping to further expand the knowledge and expertise around community resilience assessment.