(Photo by CRC)

Welcome to the C-StREAM Symposium 2024 page!

At the beginning of August 2024, we held our annual C-StREAM Symposium. C-StREAM fellows and NCBO Interns gave presentations on their research and work in front of an invited audience of mentors and guests from the Chesapeake Bay Program, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, and the Chesapeake Research Consortium. You can view the symposium below as well view the students’ presentations. View the agenda here.

Symposium Video

Presentations

Henry Sage – University of Miami

Title: Summer of a COL Marine Biology Intern

Abstract: My presentation is about 4 of the ongoing projects I assisted with this summer. It will be a crash course in how I assisted as well as what I gained from those experiences.

Oliver Sojka – New York University

Title: Final Report: Summer 2024 Fish Ecology

Abstract: A summary of my different experiences working out of the Cooperative Oxford Lab, including my daily work at the lab, major fieldwork, individual project, and collaborations with people in the lab outside of my normal routine.

Bria Pope – Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Title: Evaluating the Role of Oyster Reefs and Wetlands in Shoreline Protection and Cultural Resource Preservation in the Chesapeake Bay

Abstract: I will present a number of maps to help the audience visualize the distribution of natural infrastructure and explain my recommendations for future restoration based on them and their data.

Apoorva Ajith- University of Maryland

Title: Charting the Future of Environmental Literacy: Listening and Learning

Abstract: This summer Apoorva planned and facilitated listening sessions with community members working to improve environmental literacy across the Mid-Atlantic region. She analyzed the feedback and compiled the ideas they shared to inform the next steps of the Bay Program Education Workgroup and upcoming state action plans.

Julia Staranowski – University of Maryland- College Park

Title: Examining NCBO Partnerships

Abstract: Julia examined the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office’s Partnerships through informational interviews and enhanced their Partnerships Management System spreadsheets.

Bryn Kearney – Oberlin College

Title: Climate Change Education: Assessing Usability and Transformativity for K-12 Schools

Abstract: In addition to supporting the climate change education (CCE) conferences and education this summer, I researched the current state of CCE. I evaluated over 100 materials and gathered preliminary data on the trends and gaps in CCE.

Sophia Bryan – Boston University

Title: Temporal Analysis of Historic (1984 – 2022) and Recent Hypoxia Trends in the Choptank River

Abstract: This summer Sophia worked with the field team on various operations, including the construction, deployment, and maintenance of the NCBO hypoxia monitoring buoys in the Chesapeake Bay. She analyzed current dissolved oxygen data from the buoys as well as historical data from the Chesapeake Bay Program to identify hypoxia trends over the last 40 years in the Choptank River.

Kami Lentzsch – Washington College

Title: Plastic Party Crashers: Interactions of Macroplastics and Macroinvertebrates in Freshwater Ecosystems

Abstract: Kami spent her summer as a research assistant with Penn State, conducting research on the interaction between macroplastics and macroinvertebrates, examining how these organisms establish themselves and potentially consume plastic debris in the aquatic environment. This work aims to contribute to the understanding of the ecological impact plastic pollution has on freshwater ecosystems, in Central Pennsylvania and beyond.

Melinda Lin – Cornell University

Title: Goals, Groups, and Graphs: Visualizing the Complexities of the Chesapeake Bay Partnership

Abstract: As the Chesapeake Bay Partnership’s environmental efforts expand, what happens when the Partnership’s organization becomes too complicated? To communicate how the Partnership’s databases, scientific tools, workgroups, and more support 10 overarching Goals and 31 Outcomes, I visualized these complex relationships as interactive knowledge graphs.

Emma Chuang – Recent graduate from Oregon State University

Title: Optimizing the EJ Mapping Tool for Elizabeth River Communities

Abstract: Over the Summer, Emma Chuang, mentored by Dr. Molly Mitchell at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), worked to improve the Elizabeth River Environmental Justice (EREJ) mapping tool for community use. This constituted the creation of a story map tutorial specifically made for community members, which Emma will discuss more about during her presentation today.

Diego Henriquez – University of Maryland

Title: Do Knot Fret: Invasive Species Management at Rock Creek Park

Abstract: Conducted a literature review of invasive knotweed impacts on riparian forest buffers and did a cost-benefit analysis of removal along Rock Creek in Washington, DC.

Lashawna Perry – Bowie State University

Title: Toadfish Tunes: Tracking mating calls on Oxford Reef using passive acoustics

Abstract: Graphing Toadfish Mating Calls and Soundscape Variability in the Oxford Reefs Through Acoustic Monitoring. Analyzing the data to assess the health of the Oxford Reef.

Kellene Wotring – Sweet Briar College

Title: Management practices for the city of Norfolk

Abstract:  I worked to analyze management practices approved in Virginia. When done I created a map that used soil types, elevation and ground water to give the best practices for a location.