John
Winkowski ’07 of Rochester, NY, has
studied in Australia and
the Bahamas.
And his field research in both locations will help
preserve the great reef areas of the world.
While studying abroad in Australia in
2005, the biology and environmental studies major worked
with some of the world’s leading coral reef scientists
and conducted intensive research on the Great
Barrier Reef. Before
leaving for Australia, John took
a class in marine ecology with Associate Professor of Biology Brad
Baldwin. John went to the Bahamas with
the marine ecology class in May 2005, and has returned twice, once
as part of his University Fellowship research with Dr. Baldwin.
His research is titled ‘Can Coral Reefs Surrounding
San Salvador, Bahamas be restored by Transplanting the Sea Urchin Diadema
antillarum?’
A graduate of Brighton High School, John is working with a keystone
species, Diadema antillarum, which is vital in maintaining
good health of the coral reefs throughout the Caribbean basin. He
is attempting to restore their populations on reefs in an overall
effort at promoting reef health. John plans to continue on the same
project his senior year and publish this work.
John recently received
the Crowell Summer Award in Field Biology to assist with s living
expenses in Bahamas. “I am
grateful to St. Lawrence for all the funding I have received for
my travel research activities. St. Lawrence has just made it so much
easier,” he said.
For John, the best academic aspect about St. Lawrence has been the wonderful
relationships he has developed with his professors. John’s
mentor and advisor, Dr. Baldwin, has been very influential in his
life. “We have established a solid relationship. I talk to
him about my life inside and outside classrooms,” he says.
Even when he is not researching the barrier reefs of Australia or Bahamas,
John still likes to stay outdoors. He loves the Adirondacks, plays
intramural hockey and helps coordinate performances for the Java coffeehouse
on campus.
