Student Research Assistants

Natalie Al-Shihabi

Class of 2026

Major: Aquatic and Marine Biology

Minor: Psychology

Natalie Al-Shihabi is a senior at Stetson University, studying Aquatic and Marine Biology with a minor in Psychology. While at Stetson, Natalie interned for the Merritt Island Wildlife Association, working with both Lake Woodruff and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuges for outreach events and citizen science projects. She was interned for West Volusia Audubon, in which she worked with the Avian Research and Conservation Institute on their research of Swallow-tailed kites. She hopes to eventually work in the wildlife veterinary field and currently volunteers for the Marine Science Center in the Bird Hospital to rehabilitate wild birds as well as work with their resident raptors. Natalie is now the Senior Advisor for Stetson Women's Club Soccer team after being the President in previous years and is now also the Vice President of Stetson Audubon.

Alex Faulkner

Class of 2026

Major: Economics

Minor: Applied Statistics

Growing up in New England, Alex took an external view of conservation efforts in Florida. He is a current senior at Stetson, majoring in Economics with a minor in Applied Statistics. With his decision to pursue his undergraduate degree at Stetson University, an underlying interest grew in the areas of Development and Environmental Economics. As a student research assistant and the second Walker-Bayless Fellow at IWER, he has gained hands-on experience in Applied Economics, with a focus on building econometric models to support real-world decision-making. Through his research, Alex aims to promote environmental resilience and support forward-thinking policy solutions. Outside of his research, he enjoys playing tennis, swimming, chess, and language learning.

Alex is the second recipient of the Walker-Bayless Fellowship.

Ella Glover

Class of 2027

Major: Global Development, Environmental Sustainability Concentration

Minors: Economics, Environmental Studies, and International Business

Ella Glover is in her third year at Stetson University, as a Global Development major with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability with minors in Economics, Environmental Studies, and International Business. She is a student athlete part of the Stetson Women's Rowing Team. Ella’s hobbies include hanging out with her friends, reading, playing the flute, and listening to musicals. From this internship, she hopes to gain real world experience working in the environmental field as well as discover different career paths she could potentially follow

Tarin Janmeja

Class of 2026

Major: Environmental Science

Tarin Janmeja, originally from Atlanta Georgia, is a senior at Stetson University, where he is majoring in Environmental Science. Currently, he is a research assistant within the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience and works at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center. Tarin is also an undergraduate researcher studying the ecological impacts of Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) in Florida waterways, with a focus on water chemistry, dissolved oxygen dynamics, sediment core sampling, and radiocarbon dating, and plans to present his findings at Stetson Showcase. In addition to his research, Tarin is actively involved in campus and community service, including volunteering with the Hatter Food Pantry and organizing philanthropic events through Alpha Tau Omega. In his free time, he enjoys playing intramural flag football, chess, and club tennis, and staying involved in campus organizations.

Phoenix Medley

Class of 2026

Major: Environmental Studies 

Minor: Creative Writing 

Phoenix Medley is a senior at Stetson University, majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Creative Writing. Alongside her role as a research assistant with IWER, she is a third-year Environmental Fellow and the Associate Editor of Touchstone Magazine. She is also an active member of Zeta Tau Alpha. Following graduation, she plans on pursuing a graduate degree in Urban Planning or Urban Design. 

Marvel Olson

Class of 2026

Major: Aquatic and Marine Biology

Minor: Spanish

Marvel is a senior at Stetson University majoring in Aquatic and Marine Biology with a minor in Spanish. Although born and raised in Colorado, she formed a passion for oceans and aquatic systems through various classes and family vacations. During her junior year at Stetson, she began interning at the Marine Discovery Center as an exhibit intern and animal ambassador. Currently, Marvel still holds her position at the Marine Discovery Center, is a member of Stetson's scuba club (Hatters Down Under), and is a building manager at the Hollis Center; the university's on-campus gym. 

Hannah Puckett

Class of 2026

Major: Environmental Science

Minor: Biology

Hannah Puckett is a senior Environmental Science major at Stetson University with a minor in Biology. Her academic and career interests focus on protecting ecosystems and wildlife through science-based conservation and environmental law enforcement. Hannah has gained hands-on experience through internships with Riverside Conservancy in Edgewater, Florida and the Savannah River Environmental Science Field Station in Aiken, South Carolina, where she worked on shoreline protection, energy research, and water quality analysis throughout the whole state. She is currently completing her undergraduate degree with the goal of entering the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission academy to actively safeguard ecosystems and wildlife across the state. After graduation, Hannah plans to pursue a master’s degree in Environmental Forensics, combining field science, policy, and investigative work to address environmental harm. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, working out, and unwinding with video games. 

Emma Schultz

Class of 2028

Major: Environmental Science

Minor: Business Law

Certificate: Community Engagement

Emma Schultz, originally from Medford, New Jersey, is a sophomore at Stetson University, where she is majoring in Environmental Science with minors in Business Law and Community Engagement. She is the secretary for the Environmental Club, and currently is a Bonner Scholar within the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience. Emma is interested in wildlife conservation and environmental law and plans to attend law school after Stetson. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, hiking, traveling, and time with her friends and family.

Will Stallworth

Class of 2028

Major: Computer Information Systems

Minor: Communication & Media Studies

Will Stallworth is a sophomore at Stetson University pursuing a major in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Communication & Media Studies. Born and raised in Gainesville, Florida, he has always had a passion for Florida's natural environment, a passion which inspired him to take up a research position with IWER. He is on track to graduate in Spring of 2028 and hopes to possibly utilize his major in Computer Information Systems to help protect Florida's natural ecosystem in the future.

Megan Vaughn

Class of 2026

Major: Environmental Science

Megan Vaughn, originally from Ridgeway, VA, is a senior majoring in Environmental Science. Her career goals focus on restoring the human-nature connection whether through work in research, education, or policy within the environmental and conservation fields. She has gained valuable experience exploring different approaches to conservation and sustainability through internships at the Virginia Museum of Natural History and as a Biotechnology intern at the Institute for Advanced Research and Learning. In her free time, Megan enjoys hiking, kayaking and paddleboarding, gardening (growing food and native plants), and observing wildlife and pollinators.

Abby Young

Class of 2026

Major: Aquatic and Marine Biology

Abby is a senior at Stetson University majoring in Aquatic and Marine Biology. She has completed 2 internships in the marine mammal field, one at Jacksonville Zoo at their Manatee Critical Care Center and another at Marineland Dolphin Adventure in St Augustine. On campus, Abby is the current president of Stetson Club Color Guard and is a TA for Biology III. After graduation, she hopes to spend a few years in the animal care field before going to graduate school for evolutionary ecology.