The Spring 2026 Science Symposium brought together student researchers addressing some of Florida’s most pressing environmental and public health challenges
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL (April 24, 2026) — Indian River State College (The River) hosted its Spring Science Symposium on April 24, 2026. Student researchers from across disciplines presented original, data-driven findings on some of Florida’s most pressing environmental and public health challenges. From the ongoing recovery of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) to cutting-edge advances in bacteriophage therapy and pharmaceutical innovation, the 2026 Symposium demonstrated the depth and real-world impact of The River’s student research programs.
Student presenters tackled subjects ranging from coastal habitat restoration and oyster reef ecology to antibiotic resistance, targeted drug delivery, and cardiovascular health. The presentations showcased the breadth of scientific inquiry flourishing at The River and reinforced the College’s reputation as a leader in undergraduate and associate-level research in the Florida College System.
“The Science Symposium is a reminder of what’s possible when students are given the tools, mentorship, and opportunity to pursue real research,” said Indian River State College President Dr. Timothy E. Moore. “These students are preparing for careers in science and contributing to the scientific conversation by tackling the very issues that affect our lagoon, our health, and our future. Indian River State College is deeply proud of every one of them.”
Restoring the Indian River Lagoon & Walton Scrub: Student Research on the Front Lines
Several student research projects presented at the Symposium focused directly on the ecological recovery of the Indian River Lagoon and the Walton Scrub shoreline in Port St. Lucie. Together, these studies provide a scientific baseline for measuring and guiding restoration or recovery efforts across the region.
WALTON SCRUB SHORELINE
Jolene Sutton: Research on seagrass habitats demonstrated early signs of resilience when targeted restoration strategies are applied. The findings have implications for water quality, fisheries, and manatee habitat protection.
Evelyn R. Marquez: Study of artificial reefs found evidence that they can accelerate the return of biodiversity, suggesting a scalable tool for coastal ecosystem rebuilding across Florida and beyond.
Ileana Roldan-Montoya: Fish population research established critical ecological benchmarks that will allow scientists to track long-term recovery outcomes and the effectiveness of ongoing restoration interventions.
INDIAN RIVER LAGOON
Dre Bain: Conducted in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, this study found that restored oyster reefs are actively supporting marine life and rebuilding the IRL’s ecological foundation — while calling for sustained long-term monitoring.
“What our students are doing with Indian River Lagoon and Walton Scrub Shoreline research isn’t supplementary work — it is legitimate science with real applications, said Dr. Anthony Dribben, Indian River State College Executive Dean of Mathematics and Science. “They are gathering the baseline data and testing the hypotheses that inform how Florida approaches coastal restoration and lagoon recovery. The lagoon and shoreline are living laboratories, and our students are leading the research inside them.”
Biomedical Innovation: Bacteriophages, Antibiotic Resistance, and Drug Delivery
Beyond environmental science, the symposium featured a remarkable concentration of student research in biotechnology, bacteriophage science, and pharmaceutical innovation — fields at the forefront of the global fight against antibiotic resistance and the development of next-generation therapies.
Brian Bacarella & Brian Grimm: Structural and evolutionary analysis of bacteriophages with applications in combating antibiotic resistance.
Chanel Cardoza & Jeniffer Ortega: Investigation of phage life cycles and their role in bacterial genetics and biofilm control.
Samuel Eastmond: Genetic engineering of bacteriophages to improve lysozyme function and antimicrobial effectiveness.
Savannah Fields & Amelia Dalley: Comparative analysis of endolysins across phage families to guide future protein engineering approaches.
Carolina Garcia & Tynesia Stevens: Genomic characterization of bacteriophage MiniViolet to support phage therapy development.
Andrew Lopez & Jiya Patel: Modeling of biomolecules using open-source quantum chemical computational methods
Jennifer Sharr & Amber Garcia: Engineering endolysin proteins to enhance antimicrobial activity against drug-resistant bacteria.
Renee Kirrie: Co-crystallization strategies to enhance antibiotic effectiveness against resistant bacterial strains.
Eli Luger: Co-crystallization research focused on the tuberculosis antibiotic 4-ASA to improve pharmacological performance.
Sarah Matthiesen: Pharmaceutical co-crystallization research exploring how to improve antibiotic performance without altering core drug efficacy.
Annmarie McDearmont: Research into biodegradable polymers for targeted drug delivery and nanomedicine applications.
Additional Student Research: Public Health, Environmental Law, and Human Physiology
Alex Dale: Cryopreservation methods for mosquito eggs (Culex quinquefasciatus), improving research capacity for disease vectors including West Nile virus.
Viscaya Morgan: Examined links between water quality degradation and cardiovascular disease mortality rates in counties adjacent to the Indian River Lagoon.
Petricia Lopilato: Study of cardiovascular adaptation and physiological stress responses in ultramarathon runners.
Zoilamys Martinez: Analyzed international legal frameworks and options available to address the transnational conch population crisis.
Alexandria Solis: Investigation of DNA damage and unexpected gene alignment patterns identified in environmental samples.
“Every student who presented at this symposium arrived here through a journey of curiosity, persistence, and genuine scientific work,” said Merle Litvack, Indian River State College’s Student Success Coordinator. “Supporting them — from their first research question to standing in front of their peers and presenting findings — is one of the most meaningful things we do at The River. Watching them own their science is extraordinary.”
A College Committed to Research That Matters
The Science Symposium reinforced Indian River State College’s commitment to providing students with research experiences that extend well beyond the classroom. By partnering with state agencies and research institutions, engaging with local environmental challenges, and pursuing innovation in biotechnology and medicine, students are making contributions that carry meaning far beyond their academic programs — and positioning The River as a vital hub for applied scientific research on Florida’s Treasure Coast.
Interested in studying biological science at Indian River State College? Visit https://irsc.edu/program/biology/ to learn more.
