Student Blogs & Vignettes
Bella Iannotta
ABOUT MY RESEARCH
I am originally from the Florida Keys, where my dad was a fishing guide and my mom worked for the local newspaper. Naturally, I developed a passion for the ocean at a young age. I graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg in 2023, where I conducted research and completed an undergraduate thesis on the impacts of deep-sea mineral extraction on sedimentary organics. I also spent 2.5 months at sea collecting sediment cores. As I pursue my M.S. degree with Dr. Luther and Dr. Schwing from Eckerd College, I plan to continue researching deep-sea benthic environments and mineral extraction while expanding on the parameters I studied as an undergraduate, including stable isotope analysis, radioisotope analysis, and total organic carbon quantification. I also hope to gain additional field experience, sea time, and exposure to a broad range of marine technologies.
Why ±«Óãtv CMS?
Choosing the College of Marine Science at the ±«Óãtv was an easy decision. In addition to my desire to stay in the vibrant city of St. Pete, I was attracted to CMS’s prime location downtown, near the water, and within a hub of innovative organizations such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Florida Institute of Oceanography. I am excited by the culture of curiosity and collaboration at CMS, where new innovations and scientific breakthroughs happen. I look forward to engaging in opportunities such as the Marine Science Advisory Committee, science communication and outreach, and fieldwork while balancing my studies and proposal writing.