Current Post-docs
Dr. Ariadna Rojas Corzo
Dr. Rojas-Corzo joined us as a postdoctoral fellow in January 2026, and has been focusing her efforts on reproductive ecology of whitespotted eagle rays, a species she worked with extensively for her PhD.
You can learn more about her work here: https://corzo285.wixsite.com/narinari
Former Post-docs
Dr. Liberty Boyd
Dr. Boyd earned a BS from Florida Atlantic University’s Wilkes Honors College and earned a PhD in Biology from Florida International University, advised by Dr. Mike Heithaus. Dr. Boyd worked as the Sea Turtle Program Lead Research Scientist at the Cape Eleuthera Institute in The Bahamas from 2020-2022. Dr. Boyd joined the FEC lab in September 2024, as an FAU Jumpstart Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research project investigated the foraging ecology of loggerhead sea turtles in Florida and measures the bioaccumulation of harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins in loggerheads through dietary pathways.
CURRENT POSITION: Director of Science, Save the Sea Turtle Foundation.
Dr. Katie Flowers
Dr. Kathryn (Katie) Flowers earned her Ph.D. in Biology at Florida International University and was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Mote Marine Laboratory before joining the lab as a Researcher in August 2024. Dr. Flowers’ work sought to understand what factors influence coastal stingray abundance in Belize. She worked with fisherfolk, incentivizing them to participate in research to reduce the number of days they fish for sharks. Dr. Flowers is a passionate advocate for science and community backed conservation. Her collaborative efforts led to the first smalltooth sawfish rescue during the Florida Keys abnormal fish behavior event and legislative changes in Belize, including extended marine protected area boundaries for reef sharks and full protection of all ray species. She has expertise in anthropology, behavioral ecology, conservation biology, fisheries management, and marine policy.
CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Director, The Atlantic Canada Data Conservation Centre
Dr. Lauran Brewster
Dr. Brewster was with the FEC lab from 2019 to 2022. She was instrumental in developing biologging tags for multiple taxa (goliath grouper, young bull sharks, and whitespotted eagle rays) and the associated analyses involving various sensors (motion, sound, video, etc.). Lauran also helped obtain funding for multiple projects involving shark depredation in recreational fisheries.
CURRENT POSITION: Tenure-track Assistant Professor at University of Massachessetts-Dartmouth. Website Link.