CERF 2025 Collab Session C

Wednesday, 12 November 2025  |  3:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET

Rising TIDES Alumni Connections

Description 

This collab session will bring together all alums of the Rising TIDES program, to serve as a space to catch up, make connections for future collaborations and projects, and discuss the impact Rising TIDES has had on your career and research. 

Facilitators

  • Allison Fitzgerald, New Jersey City University
  • Jennifer Zhu, Billion Oyster Project

Navigating Career Uncertainty with Courage and Purpose

Description

In today’s unpredictable professional landscape, many students and early-career professionals are rethinking their career paths in response to rapid change and uncertainty. This session offers space to hear from peers and professionals who have recently navigated career transitions, reevaluated their priorities, or confronted unexpected challenges. Rather than focusing on roles or hiring advice, the session centers real stories and reflections about navigating change — with attention to equity, values, and the personal realities that shape our choices.

We’ll begin with a short panel Q&A with panelists across sectors who will share their experiences of adaptation and reevaluation. From there, we’ll shift into an open, full-group conversation, where participants can ask questions, share their own perspectives, and explore common themes together. This session isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about creating space for honest dialogue around career shifts, tradeoffs, and the values that may guide us through uncertain times.

Facilitators

  • Gabrielle Keeler-May, NOAA
  • Fredrika Moser, Maryland Sea Grant
  • Jen Sandoval, University of Central Florida

Research Challenges and Opportunities at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions

Description 

Conducting research and teaching at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI) presents many challenges but also unique opportunities. Our goal is to bring together graduate students who are considering seeking PUI positions with early-, mid- and late-career faculty to discuss specific areas of concern in PUI research settings. The session will be a mixture of short presentations from PUI faculty, combined with discussion break-out groups, concluding with inspirational remarks and advice from a senior faculty member at a PUI.

Facilitators

  • Amanda Croteau, University of West Florida
  • Lisa Waidner, University of West Florida

Create Space for Authentic Science Storytelling Through Your Unique Lens

Description

Calling all creatives, scientists, storytellers, and more! In this interactive session, participants will reflect on mindful prompts and even practice intentional doodle skills to communicate their science story. Rae Quadara, also known as Rae Rae The Science BAE (biologist | artist | educator) will facilitate this discussion to foster authenticity, belonging, and community in this physical space while participants practice exercises and utilizing mindful tools to bring with them into all spaces they occupy. Please note, no art experience is required to bring out your unique science story; this session is all about the creative process.

Facilitators

  • Rae Quadara, Rae Rae The Science BAE LLC

Building Resilience in Galesville, MD: A Collaborative Future Vision

This session highlights the innovative designs developed by three student/faculty teams as part of a coastal resilience design competition focused on Galesville, Maryland. Teams will present actionable solutions addressing shoreline erosion, stormwater management, flooding, and cultural preservation in this historic Chesapeake Bay community. Discussions will integrate technical expertise and community engagement to explore how these ideas can be implemented to enhance resilience.

Facilitators

  • Roberto Rovira, Florida International University
  • Jori Erdman, James Madison University
  • Tiffany Troxler, Florida International University

Global Synergy in Modeling Coastal Protection by Oyster Reefs

This collaborative session will align global efforts in oyster reef modeling for coastal protection, focusing on standardizing methods to measure wave attenuation, bathymetric modification, and the ecological requirements for oysters. Participants will discuss the use of different models, which models are best suited to answer specific questions and examine approaches to data gathering, aiming to harmonize methodologies and enhance their application across research, restoration, and management contexts.

Facilitators

  • Karinna Nunez, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
  • Evan Hill, Virginia Institute of Marine Science