VASG Fellows Highlight Their Research Accomplishments During Online Session at ODU

By Ashley Tims & Lisa Eddy | Virginia Sea Grant

On March 24th, four Virginia Sea Grant (VASG) fellows presented their research as part of the Spring 2025 Virtual Seminar Series hosted by Old Dominion University (ODU). The event provided an opportunity for fellows to highlight their research and outreach projects to a diverse audience of students, faculty, and researchers.

Jem Baldisimo, a 2022 VASG Graduate Fellow, presented her research focusing on the ecological, economic, and societal impacts affecting the marine aquarium trade. Her work focused on education, highlighting the vulnerability of marine ornamental fishes in the Marine Aquarium Trade and promoting conscientious and informed decision making for consumers choosing species for their home aquariums. Jem is currently finishing her Ph.D. at ODU’s Ecological Science Program and recently started a Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship working with the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation program.

Alyssa Bucci, a 2024 VASG Graduate Fellow, presented her research on tidal flooding in the Hampton Roads area and its impact on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Alyssa has used citizen participation in events such as Measure the Muck and Catch the King to increase her sampling allowing her to measure the difference in nutrient and bacterial levels in watersheds on and off flooding routes. Alyssa is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Old Dominion University.

Photo Above: ODU Fellows Alyssa Bucci, Jem Baldisimo, Zlatka Rebolledo Sanchez, and Ella DiPetto. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Virginia Sea Grant

Alyssa Bucci, a 2024 VASG Graduate Fellow, presented her research on tidal flooding in the Hampton Roads area and its impact on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Alyssa Bucci presents her research during VASG Symposium 2024. (Photo by Lathan Goumas | Virginia Sea Grant)

The event provided an opportunity for fellows to highlight their work to a diverse audience of students, faculty, and researchers.

Ella DiPetto, a 2024 VASG Graduate Fellow, presented her research on the effectiveness of living shorelines and other nature-based techniques for shoreline protection versus traditional shoreline armoring. She focused on enhancing local science-practice partnerships that will communicate these techniques and lessons learned within coastal Virginia communities and throughout the east coast. Ella is currently a 4th year Ph.D. candidate in the Biological Sciences Department at Old Dominion University.

Zlatka Rebolledo Sanchez, a 2024 VASG Graduate Fellow, presented her research on carbon sequestration in salt marshes, specifically looking into improving management and conservation strategies. Her project includes educational campaigns focused on different target groups to ensure everyone in coastal communities is aware of the changing conditions and the risks associated therewith. To mitigate those risks, Zlatka and her team have created educational programs to explain climate mitigation and adaptation. Zlatka is a Ph.D. candidate in the Ecological Science Department at Old Dominion University.

Zlatka Rebolledo Sanchez, a 2024 VASG Graduate Fellow, presented her research on carbon sequestration in salt marshes, specifically looking into improving management and conservation strategies.

Zlatka Robodello Sanchez, along with undergraduate researcher Grace Bannister, presents her research during VASG Symposium 2024 (Photo by Lathan Goumas | Virginia Sea Grant)