Jenna White, a WISE Honors student at Stony Brook University, has been named the URECA researcher of the month for December. White is pursuing a double major in marine vertebrate biology and environmental studies. Since January 2024, she has worked in Professor Bradley Peterson’s Marine Community Ecology Laboratory within the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS). Her research focuses on studying aquaculture cages in Peconic Bay.
White’s project includes diving to install and deploy Brinno time-lapse cameras on floating and benthic oyster cages. She collects data on fish community composition, species richness, and behavioral interactions. Using R for data analysis, her work aims to support sustainable management practices for shellfish aquaculture farms.
In addition to her main research, White has contributed to projects in Professor Joseph Warren’s group at SoMAS. There, she worked on aerial surveys of Atlantic Menhaden using drone footage to analyze fish and bird species. In May 2025, she also participated in a sea turtle conservation program in Costa Rica through Loop Abroad.
When asked about advice for other students, White said: “I was a mentor for the WISE program, and I currently have two interns helping me with my data. I tell them that if there’s an opportunity you want to do, just apply. It’s important to just reach out; if you don’t reach out or apply, that’s an automatic no.”
White graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School on Long Island. She has presented her research at Earthstock’s showcase event and at the URECA Poster Symposium/Celebration in 2025. On campus, she is active in the Society for Women in Marine Sciences as outreach coordinator, treasurer, and now president. She also serves as vice president of the Marine Science Club and is a college ambassador with the Women in Ocean Sciences global network.
For two years, White has participated in long-term horseshoe crab population studies with the Westhampton Dunes New York Horseshoe Crab Monitoring network.
The full interview with URECA Director Karen Kernan is available online.
