Coastal Resiliency / Environmental Impact with Victor

Transcript

Let’s meet Victor, a senior studying coastal and marine biology, being able to take advantage of UNF’s convenient location, just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Saint Johns River makes it an ideal location for water lovers and those working on coastal resiliency. Victor, tell us more about UNF’s connection to Florida’s waterways.

– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. Hello, everyone. Growing up, I knew I wanted to be a marine biologist. But choosing what college I wanted to go to, was difficult for me. I grew up in Jacksonville, so I always had an appreciation for its waterways. As it turns out, UNF has a solid program for my major, making it the perfect spot for me to do what I want to do. Research is a major focus on the UNF campus and it’s something students can get involved in as early as their freshman year. For me, that means nights spent looking for eels, or collecting crabs. UNF’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway and Saint Johns River, provides a multitude of opportunities for students as part of their classes and when they’re out of class. As a biology major, I visit the local oyster reefs almost weekly for research that’s helping restore oyster reefs, fight erosion and rebuild fish populations. I have friends studying engineering, biology and physics, who also use the water access, including the thousand acres of wetlands that UNF owns on the Intracoastal Waterway. UNF is dedicated to exploring coastal resiliency, while fostering a healthy and strong undergraduate research program. Plus tons of students enjoy UNF’s close proximity to the ocean and the Saint Johns River. I often find myself taking a short drive to the beach and spending some well-deserved fun in the sun after a week of studying. Thanks to UNF, I now have a ton of experience in my field and I’m ready for graduate school and to work in conservation to help protect and restore our local waterways and habitats. Being able to work on projects that interest me with professors, who excel in their fields, all while having the flexibility to manage my classes, has been invaluable to me. Thank you and back to you, Alex.

– As someone who once lived in Jacksonville, I can attest to the beauty of its waterways. It truly is amazing here. Thank you, Victor, for doing your part to help restore our shorelines. Take care.