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About LaTina Steele

LaTina Steele, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Biology at Sacred Heart University.
Dr. Steele’s research interests include marine community ecology, aquatic/marine plant chemical ecology, invasive plant ecology, and the effects of pollutants on coastal ecosystems. Her specific research areas include:
The role of chemical interactions in determining invasion success of non-native aquatic plants.
Using native herbivores to mitigate invasive aquatic plants.
Using stable isotopes to examine habitat connectivity.
Effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on seagrass physiology and coastal fish communities.
Effects of habitat and predator diversity on salt marsh community structure.
The role of phenolic compounds as inducible chemical defenses against herbivory and pathogenic infection in seagrasses.
Degrees: Ph.D. in Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL (2010); B.S. in Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL (2004).

Positions

September 2019 - Present Associate Professor Biology, Sacred Heart University Biology Department, College of Arts & Sciences
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January 2016 - August 2019 Assistant Professor Biology, Sacred Heart University Biology Department, College of Arts & Sciences
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August 2012 - December 2015 Instructor Biology, Sacred Heart University Biology Department, College of Arts & Sciences
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Grants

2017 - 2018 Environmental assessment of the Dingle Peninsula
Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University Research/Creativity Grant
Colleague(s): M. Beekey, K. Bartholomew, S. Pelle
$5,700
2013 - 2014 From mountain to sea, understanding shifts in water quality and community dynamics through integrated hands on laboratory activities in Dingle, Ireland
Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University Academics for Creative Teaching Grant
Colleague(s): M. Beekey, J. Rapaglia
$1,500
2013 Mitigating Eurasian watermilfoil invasion success and ecosystem impact using native herbivores
Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University Research/Creativity Grant
$4,105.00
$
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Professional Service and Affiliations

2022 - Present CAS Representative, SHU UAA Council
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Honors and Awards

  • USGS/Conn. Institute of Water Resources 104B Grant. Co-PI with Dr. Michele Guidone (2013) Mitigating Eurasian watermilfoil invasion success and ecosystem impact using native herbivores $18,265
  • Alabama Center for Estuarine Studies (ACES) Graduate Fellowship (2008-2009)
  • University of South Alabama Doctoral Fellowship (2004-2007)
  • Rawls Award from University of South Alabama (2004)
  • Tenure & Promotion 2019

Courses

  • BI CC103 Human Community and Science Discovery
  • BI 203 Organisms to Populations Laboratory
  • BI 204 Populations to Ecosystems Laboratory
  • BI 299 Chemical Ecology
  • BI 399 Senior Seminar
  • ESM 501 Principles of Environmental Systems Analysis & Management I
  • ESM 507 Environmental Toxicology
  • ESM 599 Environmental Statistics

Education

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2010 Ph.D. Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama
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2004 B.S. Biology, University of South Alabama
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Contact Information

Biology Department
Academic Bldg SC 234J
College of Arts and Sciences
203-396-8485

Email:



Research Works (6)

Articles

Posters (1)