Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo/Video: Cody Ingram
UWA students study Alabama’s ecosystems at Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Catching a tiger shark, releasing baby leatherback sea turtles, wading through salt marshes, and creating plant presses were just a few of the hands-on experiences four University of West Alabama marine biology majors engaged in during a 10-week summer program at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
Will Poteet, Samantha Grace “Gracie” Huver, Michael Kochensparger, and Jadyn Crews spent the summer exploring Alabama’s rich coastal ecosystem while studying topics such as marine botany, sharks and rays, coastal wetlands ecology, marine vertebrae zoology and ornithology—the study of birds.
Founded in the 1971 by the Alabama Legislature, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab was designed to offer marine science programs, including coastal and oceanic research and education for a consortium of 21 colleges and universities in the state, including UWA.
Finding the right fit
When Will Poteet, from Flower Mound, Texas, was searching for colleges that had marine biology programs, he initially thought UWA would be too far away from the coast to make it a viable choice, but a campus visit changed his mind.
“Not only was I interested in marine biology, but I also wanted to play soccer,” says Poteet. “After meeting with Dr. Jeffery Merida, dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, as well as biology professor Dr. Lee Stanton, and learning about the Sea Lab partnership—I knew it was the right fit.”
Poteet says access to the Sea Lab sealed the deal.
“It’s been a great experience. And the hands-on classes complement what I’ve learned under Dr. Stanton at UWA,” he notes. “My favorite part was catching a blacktip shark and learning how long lines and gill nets work. Seeing a tiger and spinner sharks up close is something I’ll never forget.”
A passion sparked early
For Gracie Huver, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the path was clear from a young age.
“After a snorkeling excursion in the Bahamas when I was six, I’ve always loved the ocean and the animals in it,” she says. “Being able to play volleyball and take advantage of UWA’s partnership with the Sea Lab clinched my decision.”
Huver’s most memorable moment this summer? Witnessing a leatherback sea turtle nest.
“It was a neophyte’s nest—her first time nesting,” she explains. “I even got to watch baby leatherbacks being released into the water. Very few people ever get to witness that.”
The experience has also inspired her interest in animal behavior studies and conservation, particularly sea turtles.
“Coming down here feels like having backstage access—not just to visit the facilities, but to imagine ourselves working here, doing an internship, or even becoming a graduate assistant.” —Gracie Huver
New interests in unexpected places
Michael Kochensparger, from Monroeville, Alabama, has always been fascinated by the ocean, even though he grew up a couple of hours inland. He chose UWA for its affordability and marine biology program.
Initially interested in sharks and rays, Kochensparger says through the consortium and classes like the coastal wetlands class and marine botany with professors like Dr. Jeremiah Henning, an assistant professor of biology with the University of South Alabama, his focus changed.
“That’s why my favorite activity was exploring the salt marshes and habitats, especially at Point Aux Pines. I’ve visited a fair number of marshes, but this one stood out.”
Exploring possibilities
Jadyn Crews from Gordo, Alabama, hadn’t heard of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab until arriving at UWA in the fall of 2022. She was drawn to the university’s small-campus atmosphere and the supportive community of students and faculty.
Still exploring her future career path, Crews appreciated the Sea Lab’s hands-on nature, allowing her to gain real-world experience while discovering where her passions might lead.
“Seeing firsthand what we’re studying makes the material come alive,” she says. “It’s so much better to hold it, touch it, and be in the environment, rather than just the classroom.”
One area that’s caught Crews’ interest? Conservation.
“We’ve seen photos and real examples of erosion, and how little has been done to stop it,” adds Crews. “I’m wondering if that’s something I could focus on after graduation.”
From students to staff
While students like Poteet, Huver, Kochensparger, and Crews are just discovering the Sea Lab, some UWA alumni have made it their career. Rashard Ward is one of them.
After earning an undergraduate degree in history and political science in 2015, Ward completed a graduate degree in higher education (student affairs) in 2018, training that he says prepared him well for the responsibilities of his current role.
Now registrar at the Sea Lab, Ward manages logistics for the college program—registering students for classes, assigning dorms, and coordinating with faculty and partner institutions.
Because his major was quite different from biology, Ward didn’t learn about the Sea Lab while he was a student at UWA.
“I just happened upon it online,” he says.
He credits his academic background for making the transition into the role, a smooth one. “My studies helped a lot.”
According to Ward, the Sea Lab offers three summer sessions where students spend roughly 80 percent of their time in the field and just 20 percent in the classroom.
“Basically, they’re in class long enough to talk about what they’re going to see and do outside of class,” he says. “That’s what make our program unique. We aren’t just talking about marine botany or coastal wetlands or birds—we put our students in the environment to experience it firsthand. It’s very rewarding, what we do here.”
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) is a hub for groundbreaking oceanic and coastal research, driving transformative change in these fields. DISL programs reach all corners of the state and beyond to conduct research and educate people about changes in our marine environments. Programs are offered throughout the year, ranging from kindergarten to undergraduate and graduate levels. The Alabama Aquarium at DISL is open year-round to the public.