Biology Student to Study Corals in Bermuda for Final Semester

Natalie Graham will spend her final semester of college studying coral off the coast of Bermuda. This senior biology major from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will be participating in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences. The REU program is funded by the National Science Foundation.

This competitive, semester-long program allows undergraduates to conduct individual research projects in a collaborative team environment under the expert mentorship of BIOS faculty and staff.

Graham will be researching the functionality of the shallow water reefs near Bermuda.

“It is surreal that I’m taking part in this program,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to do coral research, but as anyone in Marine Biology knows, it’s popular and hard to get your foot in the door. Now that I have this opportunity, I’m going to try my absolute best to keep the door from closing.”

She noted she is excited about spending most days in the water, conducting research on corals and their environments. “I’ll be spending my final semester doing what I love,” she said. “Just having a paid internship in my field of choice before even graduating is more than I could ever imagine.”

Throughout the semester, students will give presentations that outline their research topic, methods, and results, including a final presentation to BIOS faculty, staff, and visiting students. REU students will also participate in a variety of field excursions to learn about Bermuda's natural history, flora and fauna as well as workshops and seminars given by BIOS faculty.

“It’s a real coup for one of our students to be selected for this program,” said Dr. Beth Stauffer, Associate Professor of Biology. “Natalie will be conducting field research on corals while there and getting credit through our department as she finishes up her bachelor’s degree.”

Graham will earn a degree in Biology with a concentration in evolution, ecology, and marine biology in December. After that, she plans to get her master’s degree in Marine Conservation/Ecology, specifically studying climate effects. She said she hopes to attend the Erasmus Mundus program in Europe – a program that allows students to travel throughout Europe for the entirety of the two-year program.


Photo caption: Undergraduate student Natalie Graham. Photo submitted.

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University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the largest campus of the University of Louisiana System, offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The University has a total enrollment over 19,000 students. Within the Carnegie classification, the University is designated as a Research University with Very High Research Activity. The University is dedicated to achieving excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, in research, and in public service.