Image of Ana recording data
Undergraduate student Ana records data during a dolphin survey

Undergraduate Students

UNF DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY (DIS) & UNDERGRADUATE SENIOR THESES

Dr. Gibson routinely serves as a mentor for undergraduate DIS and senior thesis projects. Undergraduate students actively participate in all aspects of research, from data collection through presentation at research conferences.

UNF DOLPHIN BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY SUMMER COURSE (BSC 4930)

This is a combined field and seminar-based course that focuses on the behavior and ecology of dolphins. Students will receive hands-on experience performing boat-based field research via weekly participation in the UNF Dolphin Research Program. Pre-req. – BSC2012C

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION REU PROGRAM

Each summer, Dr. Gibson mentors an undergraduate student participating in UNF’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program in Coastal & Marine Biology, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. For more information about this program, please visit our REU page.

 

Students driving the boat
Graduate students Carissa and Kristy driving the UNF research boat

Graduate Students

Dr. Gibson is a member of UNF’s graduate faculty and has served as the chair/co-chair of nine Master of Science theses. Prospective students should review the Biology Department’s Graduate Program page and then contact Dr. Gibson to inquire when she will be accepting a new student and discuss potential opportunities in her lab. Please note that applicants must have an agreement in place with a faculty mentor in order to be accepted into the Biology Graduate Program.

 

UNF community outreach
Community outreach at the 2018 Jacksonville Manatee Festival

Community Outreach

Our research team is committed to raising public awareness about marine mammal conservation issues and promoting scientific literacy within the broader community. We frequently present public research talks to community groups (e.g.,Rotary Clubs), K-12 schools, and continuing education programs (e.g., Osher Lifetime Learning Institute); conduct interviews with television, radio (e.g., NPR) and print media (e.g., Florida Times-Union); and create interactive educational displays for community events such as the annual Right Whale Festival and the Jacksonville Manatee Festival.