Meet Graduate Student Lauren Johnson and her Mentor, Dr. Carressa Gerald, Advocates for Oysters

The North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF) is preparing science students from the North Carolina State University's Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST) and North Carolina Central University (NCCU) to take on the country's conservation and coastal resilience challenges. NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation is funding this initiative through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

At NCCU, Dr. Carressa Gerald mentors graduate students and inspires undergraduates to pursue environmental science degrees through field visits and environmental education outreach with kids. With support from Rachel Bisesi, the North Carolina Coastal Federation Education Coordinator, Dr. Gerald regularly leads trips to visit living shoreline sites to explore estuary habitat. The students tour laboratories and coastal facilities such as the laboratories at CMAST, the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, and Hammocks Beach State Park.

"I want to take students out of their comfort zone and get them to engage in some real authentic learning outside," says Dr. Gerald. "There's historically a negative connotation to working outside from a Black American standpoint. My dad said, hey, we used to work in the fields. I don't want you doing that kind of stuff. But then there's the raw excitement and joy for my students when they go out, and they're in the ecosystem and actually see marine life. I think, 'Wow, look at us-transforming everybody into environmental scientists'."

Dr. Gerald's students also teach local K-12 students about oyster ecology. "Last fall, we had a group from my environmental education class teach second graders on the Camp Lejeune base," says Dr. Gerald. "Rachel worked with us to create a lesson plan focusing on oysters and how they benefit the ecosystem and humans." This lesson was funded by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation; NOAA funds will be used for future educational outreach.

"It's been really wonderful working with Dr. Gerald and the students and professors within the Environmental, Earth, and Geospatial Sciences Department at NCCU," says Rachel Bisesi. "I can't wait to see where they take their research to enhance coastal sciences for everyone."

Lauren Johnson attended three of Dr. Gerald's field trips as an undergraduate and will soon begin her graduate studies. She will examine the types of contaminants impacting local oyster populations. Many oyster beds in North Carolina have been closed due to high levels of bacteria and other pollutants. All waters in the state have unsafe levels of mercury. Her research will focus on understanding the extent and impact of this contamination to specific oyster populations. She will attend classes virtually while conducting her research at CMAST.

What got you interested in the marine sciences?

I've been interested in biology and marine science since middle school, but I didn't really know what I wanted to do as a career. It was kind of by luck that I went to NCCU and took an environmental sustainability class with Dr. G, which I really loved. That's what got me on my path to sticking in that department.

Did your field trips impact your decision to attend graduate school?

Yes. Visiting the CMAST lab and seeing that they're actually making progress in their restoration efforts was a big influence. Also, I believe Dr. G's teaching style was best for my learning style in undergrad. Her being my advisor will help me figure out my next steps.

Tell me about your experience teaching second graders at Camp Lejeune?

We were supposed to teach one class, but the whole grade of 150 students came. At first, it was overwhelming, but then it was fun. I had never taught kids before, and it definitely opened my eyes. The kids were really interested in marine life and science. They liked the games we played and the books we read, and they absorbed the information. So it was nice to see that.

What are you researching in graduate school?

I'll be sampling oysters for heavy metals and possibly PFAS, which is a forever chemical. I'll also work with CMAST on their restoration efforts with living shorelines.

Dr. G will let me present my research in her undergraduate classes. She wants more students to learn about the marine science graduate research opportunity. She will also have me discuss my experience on a panel in October at the Restore America's Estuary conferencein Washington, DC.

What are your plans for the future?

After graduating, I want to return home to Maryland. I would like to bring my research skills and work or study under a scientist to restore the Chesapeake Bay.

Additional partners include:

• North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
• Research Triangle Institute, International
• North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

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