REU Leadership Vignettes

April Ellis

April Ellis, Assistant Coordinator

Institution, Major and Hobbies 

I am a Ph.D. Candidate in Biological Oceanography at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science (CMS), co-advised by Dr. Larry Dishaw at USF Health in the Pediatrics Research Department. I received a Master’s of Public Health with an Environmental Health concentration from Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health. I also hold a Bachelor’s of Science in Coastal Environmental Science from Louisiana State University. I love diving and spending time with my dog, Bonnie.

Research and Career Interests

My research focuses on how the gut immune system of sea squirts responds to the presence of microplastics in the marine environment. I use sea squirts as a model organism for studying host-microbial interactions because their microbiome closely resembles that of young children, offering a unique perspective on potential human health implications. Through this work, I aim to better understand how ocean-derived microplastics may impact human health particularly among communities of color, who often face disproportionate exposure due to environmental injustices tied to where they live. My passion for environmental justice took root during my time at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where I worked in the Global HIV/TB Branch and the National Center for Environmental Health while completing my master’s degree. In 2020, I was honored to receive an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) fellowship at CDC, where I investigated the human health impacts of microplastic exposure. That experience solidified my commitment to research that sits at the intersection of marine science, public health, and equity. Outside of academia, I’ve also engaged with environmental advocacy through my role as the National Clean Water Graduate Fellow at the Surfrider Foundation. These experiences have shaped my vision for the future: I intend to complete my Ph.D. and become a professor, teaching courses in environmental health and marine science. Just as importantly, I want to serve as a mentor for underrepresented students in STEM especially in oceanography so they can see themselves reflected in this field and know that their voices matter in science and in shaping a more just future.