Parasite invasion or “body-snatching”, effectively turning a host into a zombie, could well be the subject of the next binge-worthy Netflix series. For Dr. April Blakeslee, Assistant Professor in ECU’s Department of Biology and a researcher in marine systems, invasion biology and parasite ecology are two areas of focus.
Dr. Erin Field, also an Assistant Professor in ECU’s Department of Biology, conducts no less fascinating research in the world of geomicrobiology. Focusing on microbe-metal dynamics, her studies include analysis of the build-up, or biofilm, of microorganisms found on metal structures such as bridges, pipes, and shipwrecks.
Drs. Blakeslee and Field participated in the 2019 inaugural Coastal Fellows Initiative, a program sponsored by ECU’s Integrated Coastal Programs (ICP), the Department of Coastal Studies, and the Coastal Studies Institute.
The Coastal Fellows Initiative promotes interdisciplinary research that contributes to the knowledge, understanding, and improvement of physical, biological, and/or human systems of coastal and marine environments. Qualified ECU scholars are invited to develop coastal-related research proposals that bridge knowledge across disciplinary boundaries (e.g., natural science, engineering, health, and social science). Research Fellows receive one month of summer salary, spend a portion of their research development time at CSI (ECU’s Outer Banks Campus), and interact with ICP and DCS faculty. A presentation of their research to community audiences caps off the experience.
Blakeslee (left) and Field (right) collecting samples in the field.
For Dr. Blakeslee, being selected was an opportunity to continue her research on the mud crab. This species of crab has increasingly become prone to infection of a parasite (Loxothylacus panopaei – Loxo for short) causing extreme behavioral and reproductive changes. The mud crab is an important member of the estuarine food web where negative effects on one species will detrimentally affect other species within the ecosystem as well. At CSI, Dr. Blakeslee converted milk crates into “condo-style” habitats where any self-respecting mud crab would be happy to set up housekeeping. She made regular visits to the Outer Banks Campus to collect data. For several months, she found no indication of the parasite and the crabs seemed to be functioning normally. However, as time went on, samplings revealed the parasite was present. As the parasite and its larvae require a high salinity level – higher than 8-10 parts per thousand, Dr. Blakeslee attributes the presence of the parasite to an increase in salinity along the shoreline. Saltwater intrusion and increased water temperatures in the coastal wetland area are often results from storms and flooding. In this case, the increased salinity levels provided a conducive environment for the parasite. This is an important finding, demonstrating that as climate change and sea level rise impact the coast, parasites may be able to invade areas that would have previously been inhospitable.
Dr. Field, like Dr. Blakeslee, used the Coastal Fellows opportunity to build on past research, addressing the question: “How do microbes affect the degradation and preservation of different metal alloy structures found in coastal systems?” Collaborating with Drs. Nathan Richards and Jennifer McKinnon with ECU’s Maritime Studies Program, the team studied nearby shipwrecks, such as Pappy’s Lane, the WWII landing craft support vessel resting in the Pamlico Sound. Samples of microbes were collected and examined in the lab to gain a better understanding of the microbes and the metals they seem to prefer. Dr. Field explained the findings may provide insight for improved maintenance of infrastructure and help in identifying shipwrecks. The collaborations Dr. Field forged during her time as a Coastal Fellow led to an exciting opportunity (with Drs. Richards and McKinnon) to conduct research on WWII aircraft wrecks off the island of Saipan, the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean.
Dr. Blakeslee stated her time as a Coastal Fellow has led her to think of new ways to expand and build upon her current research program. “I’m happy I was able to take advantage of the resources that CSI provides, and I am grateful for the experience.”
Dr. Field encouraged future Coastal Fellows to “be open to opportunities you don’t expect! Talk to everyone you meet and share with them what you’re doing. You never know who could help you or have ideas you never even thought of.”
Introducing the 2020 Coastal Fellows
Dr. Raymond Smith, III, Associate Professor of Engineering.
Title of Proposal: A Decision Support System Supporting Adaptation Planning for Rural Coastal Communities.
Dr. Gregory Howard, Associate Professor of Economics.
Title of Proposal: Mitigating Coastal Flood Risk: Examining the “How” and “Where” of Home Acquisition Programs.
Dr. Raymond Smith III, (left) and Dr. Gregory Howard (right) are the ECU ICP 2020 Coastal Fellows
Dr. Smith will study how rural coastal communities are disproportionately impacted by sea level rise and increasing storm events, often due to deficient infrastructure systems, making them more susceptible to economic, social, ecological, and environmental stressors. He proposes to coordinate a group of interdisciplinary scholars to produce an adaptation planning process, via a new framework and decision support resource to prevent irreversible harm to these coastal communities.
Dr. Smith is grateful for having been selected. “As a Coastal Fellow, I hope to gain a broader understanding of the issues, and complexities facing our vulnerable coastal region by collaborating with coastal scholars and experts, as well as the coastal community. Addressing future challenges in the coastal environment will require research teams with interdisciplinary skills drawn from engineering, science, economics, and social science. I am excited to be a part of this opportunity and the benefit it may provide.”
Dr. Howard will assemble an interdisciplinary group of colleagues to build a research program and examine how voluntary home acquisition programs could better operate, including reducing costs to taxpayers, increasing homeowner interest, and positively impacting ecosystem services in the surrounding community. He will review Hazard Mitigation programs under the purview of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), specifically one which removes repeat-loss or at-risk homes from the housing stock through government acquisition and demolition of the property. With the challenges facing coastal areas as climate change intensifies, he believes there is support for expanding and revising these programs.
“I hope to use this Coastal Fellow opportunity as an impetus to integrate myself and my research more closely with the talented scientists and academics in the Department of Coastal Studies,” Dr. Howard stated. “I look forward to getting to know them better, sharing my work and research interests, and learning more about their research interests.”
For additional information regarding the Coastal Fellows Initiative, contact Dr. Reide Corbett, corbettd@ecu.edu.
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Click on the links below for more information.
ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement. ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.
The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
