Graduate Student
Nicholls State University
Carissa is a nature nerd and environmental advocate. After graduating with a degree in Marine Biology from the Florida Institute of Technology, she found the energetic world of environmental education and traveled coast to coast learning and teaching about diverse ecosystems. After accepting a full-time position that led to spending a few years in New Orleans, Carissa felt a desire to be more active in preserving estuary systems and coastal communities. This led her to return to school, and she is currently pursuing a Masters in Marine and Environmental Sciences as a research assistant at Nicholls State University. Carissa's research focuses on what abiotic factors drive the forested communities on coastal ridges in Louisiana, and has been expanded to include how permanent and migratory avian species are utilizing those ridges. During her free time, she enjoys reading, biking, birding, and playing volleyball. Carissa looks forward to pursuing a career in restoration ecology, helping preserve the diverse ecosystems and vibrant coastal communities she loves.