Education
Ph.D. Environment & Society, University of South Alabama, 2025
Dissertation: Integrating Social Science into Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management: Four Case Studies of Diverse Marine Fisheries
B.S. Environmental Science, Northeastern University, 2021
Thesis: Analysis of Risk Perceptions of Coastal Hazards in Key West, Florida
Professional Experience
University of Michigan, School for Environment and Sustainability, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, January 2026 – present
TwoSix Technologies, Arlington, Virginia, Social Science Consultant, November 2023 – June 2025
LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc., Bryan, Texas, Consultant, November – December 2021
Honors & Awards
University of South Alabama, Robert L. Shipp Award for Outstanding PhD Student, March 2026.
University of South Alabama, Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Doctoral Fellowship, August 2022.
Publications
Refereed Journal Articles:
5. Gibbs, S. L., Murphy Jr, R. D., Harris, B. P., Grabowski, J. H., and Scyphers, S. B. (2025). Threats perceived by five prominent US commercial fisheries. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 45(5), 900-913.
4. Sura, S., Czaja, R., Brugnone, N., Gibbs, S. L., Hendon, J. R., Klajbor, W., Paxton, A. B., Rindone, R. R., Sagarese, S. R., Wing, K., Bosarge, L., Chagaris, D. D., Heyman, W. D., Johnston, M. A., Morris, Jr, J. A., Patterson, W. F., Tolan, J. M., Walter, J. F., Harris, H. E. (2025). Science priorities to evaluate the effects of offshore wind energy development on fish and fisheries in the Gulf of America. Marine and Coastal Fisheries, 17(3), vtaf009.
3. Berijanian, M., Dork, S., Singh, K., Millikan, M. R., Riggs, A., Swaminathan, A., Gibbs, S. L., Friedman, S. E., Brugnone, N. (2024). Soft Measures for Extracting Causal Collective Intelligence. Proceedings of the 1st Workshop on NLP for Science (NLP4Science), 99-116.
2. Prasky, E., Drymon, J. M., Karnauskas, M., Anderson, A., Gibbs, S. L., Grabowski, J., Jargowsky, A., McAree, D., Osowski, A., Swinea, S., Scyphers, S. (2023). Depredation influences anglers’ perceptions on coastal shark management and conservation in the United States Gulf of Mexico. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 4, 1271223.
1. Bardou, R., Osland, M., Scyphers, S., Shepard, C., Aerni, K., Alemu I, J., Crimian, R., Day, R., Enwright, N., Feher, L., Gibbs, S.L., O’Donnell, K., Swinea, S. H., Thorne, K., Truskey, S., Armitage, A. R., Baker, R., Breithaupt, J. L., Cavanaugh, K. C., Cebrian, J., Cummins, K., Devlin, D. J., Doty, J., Ellis, W. L., Feller, I. C., Gabler, C. A., Kang, Y., Kaplan, D. A., Kennedy, J. P., Krauss, K. W., Lamont, M. M., Liu, K., Martinez, M., Matheny, A. M., McClenachan, G. M., McKee, K. L., Mendelssohn, I. A., Michot, T. C., Miller, C. J., Moon, J. A., Moyer, R. P., Nelson, J., O’Connor, R., Pahl, J. W., Pitchford, J. L., Proffitt, C. E., Quirk, T., Radabaugh, K. R., Scheffel, W. A., Smee, D. L., Snyder, C. M., Sparks, E., Swanson, K. M., Vervaeke, W. C., Weaver, C. A., Willis, J., Yando, E. S., Yao, Q., and Hughes, A. R. (2023). Rapidly changing range limits in a warming world: critical data limitations and knowledge gaps for advancing understanding of mangrove range dynamics in the Southeastern United States. Estuaries and Coasts, 46(5), 1123-1140.
Other Published Materials:
7. Murphy, R., Harris, B., Grabowski, J., Scyphers, S., and Gibbs, S. (2025). Data from a public document search and focus groups used to determine the perceived risk profiles of five fisheries from the Northeast Pacific and Northwest Atlantic United States. DataONE Repository.
6. Murphy, R., Harris, B., Grabowski, J., Scyphers, S., and Gibbs, S. (2025). Online survey data collected from five fisheries from the Northeast Pacific and Northwest Atlantic United States used to assess the perceptions of risks to their fisheries and adaptive capacity to those risks. DataOne Repository.
5. Vanderkooy, S., Moncrief, T., Getz, E., Spurgin, K., Katechis, C., Lockfield, K., Botta, R., Gibbs, S. L., Hildahl, T., Downey, J., and Rester, J. (2025). Management Profile for Gray (Mangrove) Snapper in the Southeastern United States. Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission Publication No. 330, 218 pp.
4. Vanderkooy, S., Alvarez, G., Mareska, J., Hardy, W., Bartram, B., Adriance, J., Pearce, S., Ropicki, A., Gibbs, S. L., Pearce Jr., H., and Rester, J. (2023). Management Profile for Gulf of Mexico Red Drum. Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission Publication No. 317, 248 pp.
3. Drymon, J. M., Osowski, A., Jefferson, A., Anderson, A., McAree, D., Scyphers, S., Prasky, E., Swinea, S., Gibbs, S. L., Karnauskas, M., and Gervasi, C. (2022). Co-Producing a Shared Characterization of Depredation in the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery: 2022 Workshop Summary Report. SEDAR74-DW-32. SEDAR, North Charleston, South Carolina. 25 pp.
2. Bardou, R., Aerni, K., Alemu I, J., Armitage, A. R., Breithaupt, J. L., Cebrian, J., Crimian, R., Cummins, K., Day, R. H., Devlin, D. J., Doty, J., Dunton, K. H., Enwright, N. M., Feher, L. C., Feller, I. C., Gabler, C. A., Gibbs, S. L., Hester, M. W., Hughes, A. R., Kang, C., Lamont, M. M., Liu, K., Martinez, M., Matheny, A. M., McClenachan, G. M., McKee, K. L., Mendelssohn, I. A., Michot, T. C., Miller, C. J., Moon, J. A., Moyer, R. P., O’Connor, R., O’Donnell, K., Osland, M. J., Pitchford, J. L., Preheim, L., Proffitt, C. E., Quirk, T., Scheffel, W. A., Scyphers, S., Shepard, C., Snyder, C. M., Sparks, E., Swanson, K. M., Swinea, S., Thorne, K., Truskey, S., Vervaeke, W. C., Weaver, C. A., Willis, J., J., and Yao, Q. (2022). Mangrove distribution in the southeastern United States in 2021. United States Geological Survey data release.
1. Scyphers, S., Swinea, S., Gibbs, S. L., Heyman, W. (2021). Stakeholder Assessment & Concept Mapping in Support of Fishery Ecosystem Planning for the Gulf of Mexico: Summary Project Report. Gulf Council Contract Award No. NA15NMF4410011, 24 pp.
In Prep, In Review, and Under Revision:
4. Gray, S.A., Furman, K., Gibbs, S.L., Knox, C.B., Sutton-Grier, A., Kenney, M.A., Brugnone, N., Canonico, G., Scyphers, S., and Duffy, J.E. (Under review). A method for getting biodiversity assessment out of pure research and into decision-making. Bioscience.
3. Lemasson, A. J., Paxton, A. B., Brugnone, N., Firth, L. B., Furman, K., Gibbs, S. L., Klajbor, W., Sura, S. A., and Knights, A. M. (In prep). A sustainability vision for marine artificial structures. One Earth – Perspective.
2. Gibbs, S. L., Collins, A. B., Sipos, M., Powers, S. P., Karnauskas, M., Grabowski, J. H., Drymon, J. M., Plumlee, J. D., and Scyphers, S. B. (In prep). Understanding differences in attitudes among recreational anglers in fisheries with substantial management changes. Fisheries.
1. Gibbs, S. L., Furman, K., Gray, S. A., Duffy, J. E., Canonico, G., Karnauskas, M., Powers, S. P., Grabowski, J. H., and Scyphers, S. B. (In prep). The “freedom to choose”: Biodiversity derived benefits across fishing sectors in coastal Alabama. Ecology & Society.
Research Funding
Completed Grants
2. Mahan-Brandon Fund for Research in Gender Studies and Women’s History, University of South Alabama, $1,950. 2024. (PI with Co-PI S. Scyphers, University of South Alabama, Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences.)
1. Joe Bullard Sr. Fisheries Research Fund, University of South Alabama, Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, $4,000. 2023. (PI with Co-PIs S. Scyphers and S. Powers, Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences.)
Scholarly Presentations
Invited Talks:
4. Extending our reach: A multi-state collaborative approach to reef fisheries Extension – Final report. 2025. Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission 76th Annual Meeting. Biloxi, Mississippi, October 28, 2025.
3. Identifying Barriers and Encouraging Women’s Involvement in Recreational Fishing. 2025. Mahon-Brandon Fund for Research in Gender Studies Awards Ceremony. University of South Alabama – Mobile, April 9, 2025.
2. Extending our reach: A multi-state collaborative approach to reef fisheries Extension – Year 2 update. 2023. Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission 74th Annual Meeting. New Orleans, Louisiana, October 17, 2023.
1. Extending our reach: A multi-state collaborative approach to reef fisheries Extension. 2022. Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission 73rd Annual Meeting. San Antonio, Texas, October 17, 2022.
Conference Presentations
As first author and presenter unless otherwise indicated
15. (with K. Furman, G. Canonico, J. E., Duffy, S. Gray, and S. Scyphers). Ensuring sustainable, long-term access to living marine resources in a healthy environment. 53rd Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting, Mobile, Alabama, April 1-4, 2025.
14. (with K. Furman, S. Gray, J. E., Duffy, G. Canonico, A. Sutton-Grier, and S. Scyphers). Where does biodiversity fit in fisheries social-ecological systems? 155th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Honolulu, Hawaii, September 15-19, 2024.
13. (with H. Smith (presenter) and S. Scyphers). Evaluating Reef Fish Anglers’ Perceptions and Beliefs in the Gulf of Mexico. 155th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Honolulu, Hawaii, September 15-19, 2024.
12. (with H. Smith (presenter), S. Swinea, K. Waring, and S. Scyphers). Mapping Shore-Based Fishing Along Mobile Bay, Alabama. Alabama Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting, Guntersville, Alabama, February 21-22, 2024.
11. (with R. Murphy (presenter), B. Harris, J. Grabowski, and S. Scyphers). Perceptions of Risk and Adaptive Capacity in Five U.S. Commercial Fisheries. 9th World Fisheries Conference, Seattle, Washington, March 3-7, 2024.
10. (with E. Prasky (presenter), J. M. Drymon, J. Grabowski, A. Anderson, A. Jargowsky, D. McAree, A. Osowski, S. Swinea, and S. Scyphers. Characterizing Anglers’ Responses to Shark Depredation Across the Gulf of Mexico. 9th World Fisheries Conference, Seattle, Washington, March 3-7, 2024.
9. (with J. M. Drymon, A. Jargowsky, J. Grabowski, and S. Scyphers). Attitudes of Recreational Reef Fish Fishers Before and After Substantial Management Changes. 76th Annual Meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Nassau, Bahamas, November 6-10, 2023.
8. (with J. M. Drymon, A. Jargowsky, and S. Scyphers). Attitudes, Perceptions, and Beliefs of Reef Fish Anglers in the Gulf of Mexico. Alabama Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting, Gulf Shores, Alabama, January 24-25, 2023.
7. (with A. Osowski (presenter), A. Jefferson, A. Anderson, D. McAree, S. Scyphers, S. Swinea, E. Prasky, M. Karnauskas, and J. M. Drymon). Co-Producing a Shared Characterization of Depredation in the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery. Bays and Bayous Symposium, Mobile, Alabama, January 24-25, 2023.
6. (with R. Murphy (presenter), B. Harris, J. Grabowski, and S. Scyphers). Perceptions of Risk and Adaptive Capacity of Commercial Fisheries Across the United States. Northeast Division and Southern New England Chapters of the American Fisheries Society Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, January 8-10, 2023.
5. (with A. Osowski (presenter), A. Jefferson, A. Anderson, D. McAree, S. Scyphers, S. Swinea, E. Prasky, M. Karnauskas, and J. M. Drymon). Co-Producing a Shared Characterization of Depredation in the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery. 75th Annual Meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, November 7-11, 2022.
4. (with E. Prasky (presenter), J. M. Drymon, A. Anderson, A. Jefferson, M. Karnauskas, D. McAree, A. Osowski, S. Swinea, and S. Scyphers). Quantifying Perceptions About Shark Depredation Through Recreational Angler Avidity and Interactions. Sharks International Conference, Valencia, Spain, October 20-22, 2022.
3. (with J. M. Drymon (presenter), M. Ajemian, A. Collins, B. Duffin, B. Fluech, D. Goethel, S. Gray, A. Jefferson, M. Karnauskas, J. Lively, A. Osowski, E. Prasky, S. Sagarese, S. Swinea, and S. Scyphers). Characterizing Cryptic Mortality in GoM Reef Fish: Evaluating the Nature and Extent of Depredation. Gulf of Mexico Conference, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, April 25-28, 2022.
2. (with R. Murphy, B. Harris, J. Grabowski, and S. Scyphers). Industry-perceived risks in commercial fisheries in the Pacific Northwest and New England. Alaska Marine Science Symposium, virtual meeting to replace Anchorage, Alaska, January 24-27, 2022.
1. (with J. Grabowski, S. Gray, L. McClenachan, and S. Scyphers). Assessing Fishermen’s Adaptive Capacity to and Concern for Climate-Related Ecosystem Changes. 151st Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Baltimore, Maryland, November 6-10, 2021.
Conference Sessions Organized or Chaired
1. Ensuring Sustainable, Long-Term Access to Living Marine Resources in a Healthy Environment (co-chair and organizer). 53rd Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting, Mobile, Alabama, April 1-4, 2025.
Teaching & Mentorship
2. (Co-lead with S. Gray and K. Furman) Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping Methods Workshop, University of South Alabama, Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Mobile. June 2023.
1. Laboratory for Ecology, Northeastern University, Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Boston, Massachusetts. January-May 2022
Professional Service & Memberships
National Service
Working Group Member, National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis Gulf Ecosystem Initiative: Offshore Wind, 2024-2025.
Executive Board Member, Coastal Conservation Association of Alabama, Mobile Chapter, 2023-2025.
Member, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission Gray Snapper Technical Task Force, 2023-present.
Member, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission Red Drum Technical Task Force, 2022-present.
Volunteer Fisheries Scientist, Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, 2022-2025.
Journal Article Reviewer
Fish and Fisheries
Journal of Environmental Management
npj Natural Hazards
Professional Affiliations
American Fisheries Society
American Sociological Association
Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute