Tyler is a biogeochemist studying how material and chemical elements are cycled through marine and coastal ecosystems. His research focuses on the carbon cycle in systems such as coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and calcium carbonate sediments. He is interested in the role that these ecosystems play in the global carbon cycle and how they will be affected by climate change. Most of Tyler's work involves making seawater chemistry measurements in the field using state-of-the-art technology, with a focus on carbon dioxide, methane, total alkalinity, oxygen, and submarine groundwater discharge. By measuring these parameters we hope to get a better understanding of where and how carbon moves between the land and sea.

Carisa MacPherson is one of Georgia’s first Environmental Science PhD students at Georgia
Southern University. As a marine biogeochemist, her novel research focuses on How to
Supercharge Seagrass—a project investigating the potential of combining seagrass with olivine
to amplify blue carbon capture through enhanced mineral weathering. This innovative approach
aims to mitigate ocean acidification around coral reefs by boosting marine carbon dioxide
removal (mCDR), thereby improving seawater chemistry. Carisa’s doctoral research is driven by
the question: Is it safer, more effective, and applicable to combine seagrass with enhanced
olivine weathering?
Her projects in Tampa Bay examine the safety and efficacy of the combined system by testing its
impact on seawater carbonate chemistry, seagrass productivity, and neutralizing heavy metals.
By adding ground alkaline minerals like olivine to seagrass meadows, she aims to determine if
this combination performs better than the sum of its parts in mitigating ocean acidification and
enhancing mCDR.
Carisa’s research in Florida Bay explores the applicability and connectivity of this approach by
studying how seagrass modifies carbonate chemistry and contributes to the resilience of Florida’s
Coral Reef. By investigating the interaction between seagrass and seawater chemistry, along with
the influence of groundwater intrusion, she aims to better understand the link between Florida
Bay and the Reef.
Recognizing the significance of this research, Carisa was awarded a highly
competitive ForEverglades Fellowship from The Everglades Foundation, one of only eight
recipients nationwide. This prestigious fellowship is supporting the next phase of her Florida Bay
study, highlighting the impact and innovation of her work in advancing coastal resilience and
marine carbon dioxide removal by providing insight into how seagrass-modified seawater could
enhance reef resilience.
Beyond her research, Carisa was selected as an ambassador to the global organization Women in
Ocean Science, reflecting her natural leadership in marine science and passion for science
communication. This initiative aims to uplift women in science by fostering collaboration,
mentorship, and meaningful connections within a supportive and inclusive environment. As part
of her outreach, she founded Think and Drink with the Scientists, a monthly public science
event launched in May 2024 to bring marine and coastal science out of the water and into the
community. Hosted at some of Savannah’s favorite local venues, these gatherings create a
welcoming space where featured marine and coastal scientists share their research in a casual,
engaging setting.

James is a PhD student in GSU's Environmental Science program. His background is in marine biology and chemistry, and he completed his masters thesis on carbon cycling in Sargassum seaweed wrack. His current research focuses on ocean alkalinity enhancement as a method of marine carbon dioxide removal. He is currently researching the use of Olivine in coastal OAE and the effects of OAE on calcium carbonate sediments in coral reefs.

Alex is a marine scientist and incoming PhD student at Georgia Southern University, where she’ll be joining the Coastal Carbon Lab. During her master’s degree, her research focused on identifying the mechanisms that may help temperate corals cope with the impacts of ocean acidification. That work sparked a deeper interest in not only understanding the effects of acidification, but also in exploring solutions to prevent or mitigate its consequences—an interest she’ll continue to pursue in her doctoral research. Outside the lab, Alex has contributed to a wide range of fieldwork projects, including sea turtle nesting research, scientific diving at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, and coral studies on the Great Barrier Reef. She’s passionate about science communication and aims to spend her career, not only working to reverse the effects of climate change but also making marine science accessible and meaningful to everyone.

Through my time in the lab, I hope to continue building strong research skills that will support my goal of becoming a dentist. After GSU, I plan to attend dental school and contribute to improving oral healthcare and education.