1
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 
 
July 2005 – June 2006 
Executive Summary 
 
 
 
 
 
Presented to: 
National Science Foundation 
EPSCoR Program 
James Gosz, Program Manager 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Henry H. Smith 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Program Director 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VI-EPSCoR 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 5, 2006
 
 
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Introduction 
 
The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) received a Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) 
grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Experimental Program to Stimulate 
Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in 2003. This report summarizes the activities of the 
second year of the program from July 2005 through June 2006. 
 
The mission of the Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
Research (VI-EPSCoR) is to promote the development of the Territory’s science and 
technology resources by: 
• conducting research on areas of scientific inquiry linked to the U.S. Virgin Islands’ 
economic development;  
• improving research infrastructure to strengthen competitiveness;  
• increasing participation of students in science and technology in order to build a 
skilled workforce;  
• building partnerships between government, non-governmental organizations, and the 
private sector to create a foundation of research and development for economic 
growth. 
 
VI-EPSCoR is hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). UVI has campuses 
on the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix and a field station on St. John. VI-EPSCoR is 
housed on the UVI St. Thomas campus. VI-EPSCoR research, educational, and outreach 
activities occur on St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John.  
 
VI-EPSCoR’s research thrust is on the Biocomplexity of Caribbean Coral Reefs (BCCR). 
VI-EPSCoR is supporting the development of an international center of excellence in the 
study of coral reef ecosystems. BCCR researchers conduct nationally competitive 
research in oceanography, biodiversity and ecology of the complex coastal ecosystems of 
the Virgin Islands. The interdisciplinary research program provides an opportunity to 
synthesize local research and to formulate an integrated ecosystems management 
approach based on scientific expertise to ensure the wise stewardship of the USVI’s 
marine resources. Partners include federal agencies, territorial government agencies, non-
governmental organizations and local business leaders. 
 
The VI-EPSCoR RII grant supports key infrastructure investments for research which 
include strengthening research facilities, building the university’s information technology 
foundation and enhancing library resources. The volume of the territory’s other federally 
funded grants (primarily NSF, NIH, and Title III) related to VI-EPSCoR activities is 
substantial. Linkages, coordination and collaboration between these grants and 
infrastructure investment activities funded by the VI-EPSCoR RII grant include 
significant complementary infrastructure investments in facilities, information technology 
and libraries, as well as financial support for strengthening undergraduate education in 
STEM areas, for undergraduate researchers participating in VI-EPSCoR projects and for 
 
 
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research, educational and outreach activities related to the VI-EPSCoR research thrust. 
(Details of VI-EPSCoR research activities are included in Appendix A.) 
 
The educational focus of the VI-EPSCoR RII grant is on the development of two key 
graduate programs at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), a master’s degree in 
marine and environmental sciences and a master’s degree in teaching mathematics at the 
secondary level. The first represents a critical underpinning for growth and maturity in 
the research thrust on Biocomplexity of Caribbean Coral Reefs. The second addresses a 
critical need for development of strong Science, Technology, Engineering and Math 
(STEM) education in the Territory’s K-12 school system. In addition, VI-EPSCoR works 
closely with other federally funded programs to increase undergraduate research 
opportunities. VI-EPSCoR is also collaborating with other federally funded outreach 
programs, UVI and the Virgin Islands Department of Education to develop proposals for 
K-12 outreach that introduces young people to marine and environmental sciences 
through hands-on research experiences. 
 
The base of support for VI-EPSCoR activities is being broadened. Incubator projects in 
the first two years involved 14 researchers and 27 undergraduate student researchers. The 
most recent round of VI-EPSCoR funded incubator projects has brought in more than a 
dozen new researchers as well as positions for undergraduate researchers. In 2006-2007, 
VI-EPSCoR will strengthen its ties to federal and territorial resource management 
agencies and other universities through collaborations in research and in development of 
the proposed graduate program in marine and environmental sciences.  
 
As will be detailed in the executive summary, VI-EPSCoR is working to ensure that 
human and fiscal resources will be available to sustain the VI-EPSCoR program beyond 
the end of the initial RII grant. Incubator researchers are being mentored to build the 
skills and experience needed to acquire and manage large external research grants. The 
new graduate programs are being developed with attention to short, medium and long 
term financial self-sustainability. VI-EPSCoR funded positions are being shifted to 
regular University funding. VI-EPSCoR funds for infrastructure improvements are being 
actively leveraged with other federal grant monies. The VI-EPSCoR program is being 
positioned to play a sustainable role in strengthening the environment for research within 
the university and throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands.  
 
 
 
4
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents 
 
Research Thrust: Biocomplexity of Caribbean Coral Reefs............................................... 5 
Infrastructure Investments .................................................................................................. 6 
Space and renovations..................................................................................................... 6 
Major equipment............................................................................................................. 7 
Information Technology ................................................................................................. 7 
Libraries and Information Services................................................................................. 8 
Strengthening Education..................................................................................................... 9 
Background..................................................................................................................... 9 
UVI VISION 2012 and VI-EPSCoR .............................................................................. 9 
New graduate program in teaching mathematics............................................................ 9 
Proposed graduate program in marine and environmental sciences............................. 10 
Undergraduate research opportunities .......................................................................... 11 
K-12 outreach related to the VI-EPSCoR research thrust ............................................ 11 
Strengthening Research Management............................................................................... 11 
Seminar Series .............................................................................................................. 11 
Office of Sponsored Programs...................................................................................... 12 
Project planning and management................................................................................ 12 
Strategic planning ......................................................................................................... 12 
Update of personnel...................................................................................................... 12 
Appendices........................................................................................................................ 14 
 
 
5
Research Thrust: Biocomplexity of Caribbean Coral Reefs 
 
The young VI-EPSCoR program has a single, comprehensive research thrust focusing on 
the Biocomplexity of Caribbean Coral Reefs (BCCR). The program offers incubator 
grants annually to support researchers in exploring new research directions related to the 
BCCR research thrust. The grants are seed funding to support pilot research, proposal 
development and other activities that advance a research project to the point at which it 
can become competitive for external funding.  
 
In the first two years of the RII grant, 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, the program funded 
eight VI-EPSCoR incubator grants related to the BCCR research thrust. In addition, 
grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National 
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. 
Geological Survey, Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the 
Ocean Conservancy and the Nature Conservancy supported research activities related to 
the BCCR research thrust. As of March 2006, 14 researchers and 27 undergraduate 
researchers had participated in research activities related to the BCCR research thrust. 
(Details of proposals and grants received are included in Appendix B.)  
 
VI-EPSCoR incubator grants for 2006-2007 were awarded in April 2006. Preference was 
given to proposals that included evidence of: 
• Relevance to the BCCR research thrust 
• Interdisciplinary collaboration 
• Collaboration between university researchers and local organizations 
• Undergraduate research opportunities 
• Potential for economic impact and spillovers 
• Potential to attract competitive funding. 
 
After external review by members of the BCCR Advisory Board, nine incubator grants 
were selected for funding (including three awaiting final approval), totaling 
approximately $200,000. More than a dozen new researchers as well as a number of new 
undergraduate researchers are expected to participate in the 2006-2007 incubator 
projects. Collaborators from other universities and federal agencies will be included. 
(Details of the new incubator research projects and expected follow-on proposals are 
included in Appendix C.) 
 
The intention of VI-EPSCoR incubator grants is to enable researchers to develop 
effective proposals for external funding and to assist them in gaining experience in grants 
management. Toward that end, in 2006-2007, VI-EPSCoR will work with the 
University’s Office of Sponsored Programs to train and mentor researchers in grants 
management.  
 
 
 
 
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The on-going and new incubator grants should lead to significant expansion of research 
proposals submitted to NSF and other federal funding agencies. In 2006-2007 and 2007-
2008, VI-EPSCoR will increasingly engage in information dissemination activities as the 
preliminary results from these incubator studies become available and are shared with VI-
EPSCoR potential partners and major stakeholders throughout the territory. 
 
Infrastructure Investments 
Space and renovations 
In the first two years of the program, existing UVI research, education, and outreach 
facilities on St. Thomas (MacLean Marine Science Center) and St. John (Virgin Islands 
Environmental Resource Station), have been renovated with VI-EPSCoR and other grant 
funds. 
 
As of May 2006, renovations of four research labs, one teaching lab, a compressor shed, 
office space and a video conference room in the MacLean Marine Science Center are 
nearly complete. Additional office space for postdoctoral researchers and technicians will 
be complete in Summer 2006. Funds from VI-EPSCoR have been leveraged with funds 
from UVI capital projects ($400,000) and two Title III ($135,000) grants to the 
University’s Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES). In 2006-2007, a 
newly renovated conference room with VI-EPSCoR funded videoconferencing 
equipment was leveraged with Title III funded smart classroom tools to create a state of 
the art facility for teaching and outreach.  
 
As of May 2006, renovations at the Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station are 
nearly complete. These include extensive renovation of research labs, construction of out-
buildings for research support facilities, and reconfiguration of office space for library 
and computer stations. VI-EPSCoR funds have been leveraged with an NSF Field Station 
and Marine Lab grant ($185,000) to CMES for renovations. 
 
In early 2006 the University renovated space to house the VI-EPSCoR offices in a new 
permanent location on the St. Thomas campus -- for the VI-EPSCoR administrative 
offices as well as office space for 2-3 visiting researchers. 
 
On-going planning for facilities development includes the identification of space on the 
UVI St. Thomas campus to support the needs of future growth in research volume and the 
proposed graduate program in marine and environmental sciences. VI-EPSCoR has also 
initiated identification of space on the UVI St. Croix campus to house VI-EPSCoR 
related research, education, and outreach activities, including wetlab facilities and office 
space for graduate students and visiting researchers conducting field research on St. 
Croix. 
 
 
 
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Major equipment 
A new VI-EPSCoR funded research/dive vessel, a 30 ft Island Hopper with an inboard 
diesel engine, hydraulic trap hauler and electronics, was delivered to UVI in October 
2005. Thus far the vessel has been used for coral reef surveys during the recent coral reef 
bleaching event in the eastern Caribbean and to conduct studies on grouper spawning 
aggregations. The research vessel will be used extensively to support current and future 
research projects related to the VI-EPSCoR research thrust. 
 
A computer system with three servers for high performance ocean modeling (HYCOM) 
has been installed and set up in collaboration with researchers from the Rosenstiel School 
of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami. 
 
New Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers were deployed at three grouper and snapper 
spawning aggregation sites, in a study to predict the regional synchrony of spawning 
activity and the direction of transport of eggs and larvae using a computer model 
designed to calculate current patterns.  
 
A new Acoustic Wave and Current profiler is being used in a pilot project to measure 
wave heights and surface conditions in coastal Virgin Islands waters.  
 
VI-EPSCoR investments in new equipment were leveraged by Title III funds used to 
purchase nine compound and nine dissecting microscopes, a video imaging system for 
instruction and two fume extractors for a CMES teaching and research lab.  
 
Information Technology 
VI-EPSCoR goals for information technology (IT) infrastructure improvements at UVI to 
support research include improving intranet and internet capacity to deliver 100Mb 
capacity at the desktop for all researchers, establishment of DS3 connectivity to the 
Internet, and ultimately the acquisition of Internet2 connectivity, to enhance research 
capabilities and collaborations. In 2005-2006, VI-EPSCoR supported a security 
assessment of the UVI network, the development of a disaster recovery and business 
continuity plan, and the development of a new network design with a 1 gigabit capacity 
backbone. Since September 2005 the main UVI Internet connection has been upgraded 
from two-thirds of a T1 line to four T1 lines -- with financial support from VI-EPSCoR 
and in-kind support from providers.  The proxy connection on the UVI St Croix campus 
has been upgraded from 512 KB to 3 megabytes. This capacity provides for redundancy 
as well as allowing adequate resources to the University until the business plan for 
Internet2 capabilities is complete.  UVI expects to upgrade to a DS3 connection that will 
connect the University to Internet2 by 2008. UVI’s IT department is also working with 
CMES and VI-EPSCoR to provide high speed internet connectivity at UVI’s remote field 
station on St. John. 
  
 
 
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Proposed plans in 2006-2007 include Phase 2 of the University’s Banner upgrade project 
at $225,000 and bringing wired/wireless access to classrooms on both campuses.  The 
classroom improvements will begin next year, at an estimated three year cost of 
$450,000. Faculty will be trained to use the new classroom technologies at a cost of 
$350,000. Library staff are receiving training in technology to better support student and 
faculty users. Proposals for Title III funds would support much of this cost. A 
Department of Homeland Security grant is being sought to implement disaster recovery 
recommendations and to position UVI as a leading partner with the Territory for disaster 
recovery operations. 
 
In 2006-2007, UVI’s IT section and VI-EPSCoR will continue to work together to further 
develop the University’s information technology capabilities, to develop technology 
plans to support growth of applied research activities, and to install project management 
software. Similarly, VI-EPSCoR is taking the lead in identifying the technology needs of 
specific projects, as they are proposed, and anticipating how to address the technical 
requirements of projects. 
 
Libraries and Information Services 
In 2005-2006, the UVI science librarians and heads of the UVI libraries on the St. 
Thomas and St. Croix campuses have worked with VI-EPSCoR management and 
researchers to strengthen library support for VI-EPSCoR research.  
 
In the first two years of the RII grant, VI-EPSCoR funds were used to purchase electronic 
search services that provided access to abstracts and limited access to full-text journal 
articles. In a series of discussions with BCCR researchers, it was agreed to discontinue 
those services and focus VI-EPSCoR support on delivery of rapid full-text journal access. 
Library staff have explored options for providing researchers with full-text access to 
journals relevant to the research thrust area. Two new resources are being tested: 1) an 
agreement with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute library to provide BCCR 
researchers with full access to the Woods Hole collections including electronic resources; 
and 2) document delivery services that electronically deliver full-text articles on a fee-
per-document basis.  
 
The libraries have continued some of the electronic search services initially funded by 
VI-EPSCoR, using the UVI Library budget. In addition, institutional funds have been 
used to purchase key books and periodicals requested by BCCR researchers. In 2006-
2007, the Libraries have requested $60,000 of Title III funds to supplement overall 
journal collections and $120,000 to increase electronic search capabilities. These 
additional funds will further leverage VI-EPSCoR initial investments and ongoing 
support for enhancing library and information resources to support research and 
education activities. 
 
 
 
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Strengthening Education 
 
Background 
VI-EPSCoR’s educational-related activities focus on strengthening the environment for 
research at UVI, developing new graduate programs in teaching mathematics and in 
marine and environmental sciences, strengthening undergraduate research opportunities 
in STEM areas and K-12 educational outreach related to the VI-EPSCoR research thrust.    
 
UVI VISION 2012 and VI-EPSCoR 
UVI places being a learner-centered institution engaged in innovative research and 
responsive community service, goals of VI-EPSCoR, as principal tenets of its mission. 
VISION 2012, the University’s strategic plan, sets out the framework through which the 
University will fulfill its mission. VISION 2012 provides not only for financial support of 
VI-EPSCoR being a University priority but also makes provision for the role that VI-
EPSCoR is expected to play in development of the University’s research infrastructure, 
training of future scientists and strengthening of K-12 science, technology, engineering 
and mathematics education in the Territory. 
 
VI-EPSCoR has been involved in the university’s strategic planning process, and will 
continue to help the University implement VISION 2012. For example, as part of the 
development of an academic master plan, the UVI Provost has initiated a committee on 
the integration of teaching and research faculty and the development of policy on 
distribution of indirect cost funds, both of which will strengthen research infrastructure 
and faculty competitiveness.  
 
New graduate program in teaching mathematics 
With support from the Virgin Islands EPSCoR program, the University of the Virgin 
Islands is implementing a new masters degree program in teaching mathematics to meet 
the professional development and training needs of secondary school teachers. The new 
program was approved by the university’s Board of Trustees in March 2006. The first 
cohort of 15-20 teachers will begin in summer 2006. 
 
The program responds to deficiencies in the teaching qualifications of mathematics 
teachers in secondary schools in the territory. Implementation of the new program will 
help the public school system meet federal and territorial requirements. The new training 
in teaching mathematics will create a more highly qualified and motivated workforce of 
mathematics teachers. Better trained teachers will provide secondary level students with 
the strong preparation in mathematics essential for development of a technically skilled 
workforce. Students with a strong K-12 foundation in mathematics are more likely to 
 
 
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pursue higher level mathematics and other STEM-related studies and research-related 
careers. 
 
The Virgin Islands Department of Education is very supportive of the new program, and 
has offered 16 full scholarships for public school teachers beginning with the first cohort 
in June 2006. 
 
Proposed graduate program in marine and environmental sciences 
An important goal of the VI-EPSCoR RII is the development and implementation of a 
Master’s degree program in marine and environmental sciences at UVI. The proposed 
Master of Science degree in Marine and Environmental Sciences will be offered through 
the Division of Science and Mathematics (DSM) in coordination with CMES. 
Establishment of the M.S. program is an important goal of the current RII grant and is 
included as an objective in VISION 2012, the University’s strategic plan. 
 
The proposed graduate program would provide students with skills for planning, 
conducting, and evaluating scientific research. It will produce a growing cadre of 
professionals capable of addressing topical environmental issues of the Virgin Islands 
and Caribbean nations. This interdisciplinary program will draw on DSM and CMES 
faculty as well as others, and thus will provide for integration of research and teaching 
elements within the university. It will also link the university with federal and territorial 
natural resource agencies and other bodies engaged in natural resource management and 
research, as well as with local K-12 schools. 
 
The addition of a M.S. program at UVI would provide the university community with 
graduate students capable of assisting UVI faculty as Teaching Assistants and serving as 
role models for undergraduate students, as well as assisting on research projects. This is 
an effective way to free faculty time for other obligations, including writing grants, and 
conducting research. An M.S. program will enhance the research climate and serve to 
improve UVI competitiveness in gaining federal research dollars.  Graduates of the 
program will be qualified for academic, government, and private sector positions in 
science and resource management locally, regionally and nationally.  
 
A graduate program coordinator has been recruited with initial funding from VI-EPSCoR 
to lead the academic approval and implementation process of the program. In Summer 
2006, a full proposal for the program will be finalized including curriculum and a 
financially sustainable business plan. The proposal will be taken through UVI approvals 
process in Fall 2006, and if successful, to the UVI Board of Trustees at the November 
2006 meeting. When approved by the Board, the new program would commence in Fall 
2007. 
 
 
 
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Undergraduate research opportunities 
VI-EPSCoR collaborates with other federally funded programs to strengthen 
undergraduate research opportunities in STEM areas. VI-EPSCoR incubator projects 
have included the participation of 27 undergraduate researchers in the first two years of 
the program, most of them funded by other federal grants. VI-EPSCoR sponsors the 
university’s Fall and Spring Undergraduate Research Symposia showcasing 
undergraduate research. 
 
In 2006-2007, the new coordinator for the proposed graduate program in marine and 
environmental sciences will be working closely with DSM and CMES to develop 
innovative programs to introduce undergraduate students to marine and environmental 
sciences. 
 
K-12 outreach related to the VI-EPSCoR research thrust 
VI-EPSCoR plays a facilitating role in linking UVI faculty and students, the UVI Virgin 
Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS) and the Virgin Islands Department of 
Education teachers and students in educational outreach activities related to the VI-
EPSCoR research thrust. In 2006-2007 VI-EPSCoR will work with UVI faculty, VIMAS 
staff, and K-12 teachers to develop a pilot project to introduce young people to marine 
and environmental sciences through activities focused on aquarium management and 
feet-wet research experiences. VI-EPSCoR is supporting the cost of a 270 gallon teaching 
aquarium for the MacLean Marine Science Center, and will facilitate development of 
proposals for external funding to support a larger scale K-12 aquarium management 
program. 
 
Strengthening Research Management 
 
Seminar Series 
In 2005-06, the VI-EPSCoR Seminar Series focused on strengthening the development of 
VI-EPSCoR Incubator Grant proposals. Topics included: 
 
• priority research directions related to the research thrust on the Biocomplexity of 
Caribbean Coral Reefs  
• effective incubator proposal development 
• presentation and discussion of proposals being developed for the 2006-2007 VI-
EPSCoR incubator grant competition 
• presentation and discussion of external funding proposals from on-going incubator 
projects. 
 
 
 
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Office of Sponsored Programs 
The UVI Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) works closely with the VI-EPSCoR staff 
to facilitate the administration of the RII grant, and also to assist and train researchers in 
the process of acquiring and managing grants.   
 
In 2005-2006 OSP assisted VI-EPSCoR in conceptualizing and implementing a new 
approach to incubator projects. The new process uses the incubator projects not only to 
launch interesting new research but also as a training opportunity to strengthen 
researchers’ skills in project design, proposal writing, and grant management. OSP 
participated in the development of the incubator grants Request for Proposals, which 
included structured submission requirements. OSP then conducted training for proposers 
to strengthen their understanding of the fundamental elements of preliminary proposals.  
 
OSP also provided liaison with the UVI Grants Accounting Office to help VI-EPSCoR 
create a realistic simulation of post-award grants management for the successful 
incubator proposals. In 2006-2007 OSP staff will conduct training for the incubator 
researchers on how to manage their incubator projects, and will assist and coach them in 
their dealings with Human Resources, Grants Accounting, Purchasing, etc. The goal of 
this activity is to enhance researchers’ abilities to seek and manage external grant funds 
successfully. 
 
Project planning and management 
In 2006-2007 VI-EPSCoR will be adopting management and accounting tools to enable 
more effective project oversight, including the use of project planning software integrated 
with the university’s enterprise-level information system and databases. As part of VI-
EPSCoR’s efforts to introduce incubator researchers to best practices in research 
management, researchers will be trained in the use of project planning software.  
 
Strategic planning 
VI-EPSCoR prepared a strategic plan in consultation with the VI-EPSCoR Governing 
Committee and submitted it to the National Science Foundation in 2004-2005. In 2005-
2006, the strategic plan was revisited to focus it more clearly on the research thrust on the 
Biocomplexity of Caribbean Coral Reefs. Based on the updated strategic plan, an 
operational plan is being finalized which will guide efforts in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008, 
as well as a monitoring and evaluation plan including formative, summative and extended 
evaluation data to be collected for project management use and for reporting to NSF. 
 
Update of personnel 
Key personnel in the VI-EPSCoR program are detailed in Appendix D.  
 
 
 
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Dr. Henry H. Smith, VI-EPSCoR Project Director, is expected to leave the VI-EPSCoR 
program by the end of June 2006. Dr. Meri Whitaker, VI-EPSCoR Project Co-Director, 
will be taking on the duties of Project Director, and a new VI-EPSCoR Program 
Coordinator will be recruited. 
 
Dr. Meri Whitaker, VI-EPSCoR Program Coordinator since April 2005, was named VI-
EPSCoR Project Co-Director in November 2005. 
 
Dr. Tyler Smith joined the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies in October 2005 
from the Rosenstiel School of Marine Science, University of Miami. He is managing 
UVI’s coral reef monitoring program for the territory as well as building a collaborative 
research program on coral reef studies.  
 
Dr. Vanere Goodwin (Ph.D., Mathematics, SUNY-Buffalo) joined the UVI math faculty 
on St. Croix in Summer 2005. In addition to his teaching duties, funding from VI-
EPSCoR is enabling him to lead the implementation of the new master’s degree program 
at UVI for secondary teachers of mathematics.  
 
Dr. Elizabeth Gladfelter of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute completed a VI-
EPSCoR funded feasibility study of a new graduate program in marine and 
environmental sciences. She submitted a report with her recommendations in February 
2006. 
 
Dr. Sylvia Vitazkova (Ph.D., Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia 
University) will be joining VI-EPSCoR in May 2006 as Graduate Coordinator for the 
new graduate program in marine and environmental sciences.  
 
Mr. Eoghan Joyce joined VI-EPSCoR as Research Project Manager in April 2006 from 
East Carolina State University. He will have responsibility for managing daily research 
operations including grant administration, logistics, capital projects, and procurement.  
He will also act as internal and external liaison on issues including partnerships, 
permitting, compliance, and outreach. 
 
Mr. Eugene Gottlieb, Outreach Coordinator, has left VI-EPSCoR for personal reasons.   
 
Ms. Maria Dillard (M.A., Sociology, East Carolina State University) will be joining VI-
EPSCoR in June 2006 to do Communications Outreach.  
 
Dr. Paul Butler-Nalin (Ph.D., Higher Education Administration and Policy Analysis, 
Stanford University) has joined VI-EPSCoR as consultant for planning, monitoring and 
evaluation. Working with the VI-EPSCoR Project Co-Director, he has responsibility for 
creating a monitoring and evaluation plan, identifying formative, summative and 
extended evaluation data to be collected for project management use and for reporting to 
NSF. 
 
 
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Appendices 
 
A. Other Federally Funded Projects in the Territory with Linkages, 
Coordination, and Collaboration with VI-EPSCoR RII Activities   
 
B. Research Projects in Years 1 and 2 Related to VI-EPSCoR Research Thrust   
 
C. New Incubator Research Projects Related to VI-EPSCoR Research Thrust  
 
D. VI-EPSCoR Personnel 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Appendix A: Other Federally Funded Projects in the Territory with Linkages, Coordination, 
and Collaboration with VI-EPSCoR RII Activities   
 
Funding Source 
Project / Proposal 
Status 
US Dept of Ed TITLE 
III 
Institutional strengthening grant to UVI which is 
leveraging VI-EPSCoR RII investments in several 
key areas, including physical renovations, 
information technology, and libraries.  
Awarded $1,729,401 
(FY06) 
NIH MBRS-SCORE 
UVI research and institutional strengthening 
project with two sub-projects related to VI-
EPSCoR research thrust. (See Nemeth and Hall 
in Appendix A.)  
UVI will be submitting the next NIH MBRS-
SCORE proposal on 10/06. Several researchers 
with VI-EPSCoR funded incubator grants will 
submit SCORE sub-proposals. VI-EPSCoR has 
also facilitated new research collaborations 
expected to lead to SCORE sub-proposals. 
Awarded $1,183,721 
6/03 – 5/07 
Proposal being 
developed for 10/06 
USGS Sea Grant-
University of Puerto 
Rico 
Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Services. 
Educational and outreach activities to inform and 
educate citizens about its ocean resources and to 
increase interest in and awareness of marine 
career opportunities in the Virgin Islands. VI-
EPSCoR and VIMAS collaborate in educational 
and outreach activities related to the VI-EPSCoR 
research thrust. 
Awarded $118,104 
2/04 – 3/06 
Renewal pending 
NSF HBCU-UP 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities-
Undergraduate Program  (HBCU-UP). UVI 
project to strengthen undergraduate education in 
STEM areas. HBCU-UP undergraduates could 
participate in research projects including VI-
EPSCoR projects. VI-EPSCoR and HBCU-UP 
cooperate to support undergraduate researchers, 
including funding to present research posters at 
UVI Undergraduate Research Symposiums. 
Awarded $545,035 
9/05 – 8/06 
(funding on annual 
basis) 
NIH MBRS-RISE 
Minority Biomedical Research Support-Research 
Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS-
RISE). UVI project to strengthen undergraduate 
education in STEM areas by providing four years 
of scholarship support. MBRS-RISE funded 
undergraduates could participate in research 
projects including VI-EPSCoR projects. 
Awarded $1,748,586 
6/01 – 5/06 
Proposal pending for 
6/07 
NIH MARC 
Minority Access to Research Centers (MARC). 
UVI project to strengthen undergraduate 
education in STEM areas. Provides stipends for 
undergraduate researchers to participate in 
research projects including VI-EPSCoR projects.  
Awarded $257,594 
(FY06) 6/92 – 5/06 
Renewal pending 
NSF CSEMS 
UVI project to strengthen the foundation of 
undergraduate students in STEM areas of study. 
CSEMS funded undergraduates could participate 
in research projects including VI-EPSCoR 
projects. (Program replaced by S-STEM) 
Awarded $294,495 
10/02 – 9/06 
 
 
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NSF S-STEM 
NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, 
Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) 
program for strengthening and broadening the 
foundation of undergraduate students in STEM 
areas of study. S-STEM funded undergraduates 
could participate in research projects including 
VI-EPSCoR projects. 
In review: $497,593 
9/06 – 8/11 
NSF SEAGEP 
South East Alliance for Graduate Education and 
the Professoriate (SEAGEP). Program to 
increase significantly the number of students 
receiving doctoral degrees in STEM areas, with 
special emphasis on underrepresented minority 
groups. UVI participates on subcontract from the 
University of Florida. SEAGEP funded 
undergraduates could participate in research 
projects including VI-EPSCoR projects.  
Awarded $50,000 
5/06 – 2/06 
NIH HRSA HCOP  
Health Resources and Services Administration-
Health Careers Opportunities Program (HRSA-
HCOP). UV project to encourage undergraduates 
to enter Health Careers. Provides financial 
support for the UVI Summer Science Enrichment 
Academy to strengthen preparation of high 
school students in STEM areas. 
Awarded $314,347 
(FY06) 9/99 – 8/06 
 
SBA SBDC 
Virgin Islands Small Business Development 
Center. Supports economic development 
ventures in the Virgin Islands. Strengthens local 
grant writing capacity. 
Awarded $500,000 
(FY06) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17
Appendix B: Research Projects in Years 1 and 2 Related to VI-EPSCoR Research Thrust   
 
Funding Source 
Research Project / Proposal 
Researchers 
Status 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of USVI 
Porites 
Targets for external funding: NSF 
Collaborative Research-Tree of Life 
(funded), NSF Biological Sciences 
Systematic Biology and Biodiversity 
Inventories (7/06), Research Initiation 
Grants (7/06), and CAREER (7/06).  
Romano (UVI) 
Marshall (Undergrad) 
Cuffy (Undergrad) 
Phillips (Undergrad) 
Awarded 
$65,000 Fall 
04 – Sum 06 
NSF 
Collaborative Research: Assembling the 
Tree of Life – An Integrative Approach to 
Investigating Cnidarian Phylogeny. UVI 
received this grant as a part of a multi-
institution project. 
Romano (UVI) 
+ Post-doc 
+ Undergrads 
Awarded 
$90,743 (UVI 
portion)  
10/05 - 10/10 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Study of Genetic Diversity of Long-
spined Black Sea Urchins to Improve 
Management of Caribbean Coral Reef 
Ecosystems 
Targets for external funding: NSF Biological 
Oceanography related to Population 
Connectivity in Marine Systems Specific 
Theme of Emphasis 2/06 and 2/07. 
Ketcham (UVI) 
Awarded 
$80,000 Fall 
04 – Fall 06 
NOAA Sector 
Applications 
Research 
Program 
A Coastal/Coral Reef Decision Support 
Tool with Climate Change Scenario-
Testing 
McManus (UMiami), 
Ketcham (UVI), Renaud 
(USN ret) 
Submitted 
Jul 05 
$756,000 
Rejected Jan 
06 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Coastal Oceanography 
Targets for external funding: COOS 
(funded), NOAA Ocean.US consortium 
Watlington (UVI) 
Gentius (Undergrad) 
Awarded 
$101,000 
Fall 04 – 
Sum 06 
NOAA-University 
of Puerto Rico 
Caribbean Regional Association in 
support of an integrated ocean and 
coastal observing system (COOS) for the 
US-Caribbean Exclusive Economic Zone. 
UVI is subcontractor. 
Watlington (UVI) 
Ban (UVI) 
Awarded UVI 
1/06 $55,000 
first year, 
$90,000 
second year, 
90,000 third 
year 
DOI USGS VI 
WRRI 
Virgin Islands Water Resources Research 
Institute.  Improving water quality 
research through hands-on hydrology / 
hydrography training 
Watlington (UVI) 
Awarded 
$29,800 3/05 
– 3/06 
University of 
Kopenhagen 
Galasia Project 
Watlington (UVI) 
Awarded 
$250,000 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Developing a Marine Natural Products 
Facility at UVI 
Targets for external funding: MBRS-SCORE 
6/06,  NSF CAREER 7/06 
Carroll (UVI) 
Purcell (Undergrad) 
Washington(Undergrad) 
Awarded 
$45,000 Fall 
04 – Spr 06 
NSF CHE-
Research 
Acquisition of a 300 MHz NMR for Use in 
Research and Education. The NMR would 
Carroll (UVI) 
In review 
$271,400 
 
 
18
Instrumentation 
and Facilities  
be used in at least two research areas 
related to the VI-EPSCoR research thrust. 
8/06 – 7/09 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Finding Descriptive Patterns with 
CREWS datasets. Using data mining tools 
to analyze Caribbean oceanographic data. 
Targets for external funding: NOAA Sea 
Grant, NSF CISE Directorate Data, 
Inference and Understanding Cluster 
Boumedine (UVI) 
Carty (Undergrad) 
Jerrold (Undergrad) 
Awarded 
$90,000 Fall 
04 – Sum 06 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Mesoscale Weather Modeling Project – 
Modeling, Analysis and Data 
Visualization of Local Effects of Storms 
Targets for external funding: NSF, NOAA 
D.Smith (UVI) 
Boumedine (UVI) 
Francis (Undergrad) 
Awarded 
$72,000 Fall 
04 – Spr 06 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Preliminary Assessment of the 
Relationship between Habitat and 
Parasite Infestation among Managed 
Reef Fishes of the US Virgin Islands 
Targets for external funding: pre-proposal 
approval from Oregon Sea Grant  
Sikkel (OSU) 
D.Nemeth (UVI) 
McCammon(Undergrad) 
Paul (Undergrad) 
Awarded 
$10,000 Spr 
05 – Spr 06 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Biophysical Modeling of Larval Fish and 
Invertebrate Dispersal 
Targets for external funding: NSF CAREER 
7/06 
Idrisi (UVI)  
LaPlace (Undergrad) 
Awarded Spr 
05 – Fall 07 
NSF CAREER 
Connectivity among Caribbean coral 
reefs 
Idrisi (UVI) 
Submitted 
7/05, 
Rejected, In 
development 
7/06 
NSF BIO OCE 
Collaborative research – The Carbon 
Isotopic Composition of Organic Material 
Idrisi (UVI) 
Submitted 
8/05, 
Rejected 
NIH SCORE 
Disease spread among coral populations 
Idrisi (UVI) 
T.Smith (UVI) 
In 
development 
10/06 
NSF BIO OCE 
Spatial analysis of multi-species 
spawning aggregation: modeling habitat 
use and reproductive behavior for 
predicting larval dispersal patterns 
Idrisi (UVI) 
R. Nemeth (UVI) 
In 
development 
8/06 
NOAA Sea 
Grant-University 
of Puerto Rico 
Determining the minimum size of fishery 
closures for protecting grouper 
spawning aggregations 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Awarded 
$145,000 
3/06 – 2-/08 
NMFS and VI 
DPNR-DF&W 
(#GC-PNB-027-
2003) 
Assessment of grouper and snapper 
spawning aggregations 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Awarded 
$90,000 1/03 
– 3/05 
NOAA 
International 
Coral Reef 
Conservation 
Program 
(#NA03NMF463
0329) 
Comparative Investigations of Red Hind 
Spawning Aggregations under different 
management regimes in USVI, BVI and 
Saba 
and  
Development of educational 
documentary on grouper and snapper 
spawning aggregations in the USVI 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Awarded 
$60,000 
10/03 – 3/06 
 
 
19
The Ocean 
Conservancy 
Development of educational 
documentary on Grouper and Snapper 
Spawning aggregations in the USVI 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Awarded 
$10,000 
10/05 – 8/06 
The Nature 
Conservancy 
Development of educational 
documentary on Grouper and Snapper 
Spawning aggregations in the USVI 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Awarded 
$15,000  
10/05 – 8/06 
NIH-SCORE 
(#1 S06 
GM066923-01) 
Regional analysis of red hind breeding 
populations 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Awarded 
$260,361 for 
third year 
6/03 – 5/07 
The Ocean 
Conservancy 
Identification of essential fish habitat for 
juvenile groupers in the US Virgin 
Islands 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Awarded 
$10,000 
11/04 - 11/06 
DPNR-CZM 
Long-term coral reef monitoring program 
in the Virgin Islands – year 5 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
T.Smith (UVI) 
Awarded 
$72,000 2/06 
– 9/06 
DPNR-CZM 
Long-term coral reef monitoring program 
in the Virgin Islands – year 4 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Awarded 
$80,000 
10/04 – 9/05 
NOAA Sea 
Grant-University 
of Puerto Rico 
(#MS-151-06) 
Core funding for Virgin Islands Marine 
Advisory Service 
R. Nemeth (UVI) 
Taylor (UVI) 
Ban (UVI) 
Awarded 
$126,710 
3/06 – 2/08 
NOAA Sea 
Grant-University 
of Puerto Rico 
(#MS-151-04) 
Core funding for Virgin Islands Marine 
Advisory Service 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Taylor (UVI) 
 
Awarded 
$118,105 
3/04 – 2/06 
VI DPNR-DEP 
Territorial biological monitoring program 
of coral reefs and fishes within Category 
1 watersheds 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Taylor (UVI) 
Awarded 
$156,924 
10/03 – 9/06 
VI DPNR-DEP 
Non-point Source Pollution Education. K-
12 education on St. Croix. 
Taylor (UVI) 
Awarded 
$86,111 3/03 
– 3/05 
NSF FSML 
(#DBI-0331552) 
Strengthening the Research and 
Educational Capabilities of the Virgin 
Islands Environmental Research Station, 
St. John US Virgin Islands. This funding 
leverages facilities and laboratory 
renovations funding in the NSF EPSCoR RII 
grant. 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Awarded 
$185,000 
4/04 – 3/07 
DOE Title III 
(#P031B020099) 
Enhancing student learning and faculty 
research productivity within the MacLean 
Marine Science Center. *Nominated as an 
Exemplary Title III project 
R.Nemeth (UVI) 
Awarded 
$140,000 
NIH-SCORE 
Lobster Neurology 
Hall (UVI) 
Stewart (post-doc) 
Forte (post-doc) 
Awarded 
$348,102 for 
third year 
6/03 – 5/07 
NSF Regulatory 
Section or NIH 
RO1 
Capacity of organisms to deal with 
gradual changes in environmental 
temperature, from the molecular and 
cellular level  
Hall (UVI) 
In 
development 
 
 
20
DOI USGS VI 
WRRI 
Virgin Islands Water Resources Research 
Institute. Diversity of freshwater fish and 
invertebrates of St. Thomas watersheds 
and its relationship to water quality as 
affected by residential and commercial 
development. 
Targets for external funding: NSF CAREER 
7/07  
D.Nemeth (UVI) 
+ Undergrads 
Awarded 
$17,960 
3/06 – 3/07 
 
 
 
 
21
Appendix C: New Incubator Research Projects Related to VI-EPSCoR Research Thrust  
 
Funding 
Source 
Research Project / Proposal 
Researchers 
Status 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Do coastal current patterns influence 
disease susceptibility and connectivity 
of populations of the endangered coral 
Acropora palmata in St. John and St. 
Thomas, US Virgin Islands 
Targets for external funding: NOAA Sea 
Grant-University of Puerto Rico (2/07), 
NSF BIO-OCE (8/07) 
Idrisi (UVI) 
T.Smith (UVI) 
Romano (UVI) 
Rogers (USGS) 
+ Undergrads 
Awarded 
$32,982 
Spr 06 – 
Sum 07 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Coral Restoration on Reefs Dominated 
by Macroalgae: Is the Long-Spined Sea 
Urchin Diadema antillarium the Key to 
Success? 
Targets for external funding: NSF, USGS 
Sea Grant-University of Puerto Rico 
(02/07), NOAA, National Wildlife 
Foundation, The Nature Conservancy 
Walters (U Central 
Fl.) 
Turner (UVI) 
+ Grad (UCF) 
+ Undergrads 
Awarded 
$20,996 
6/06 – Sum 
07 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Identification of Metabolic Markers for 
Bleaching in the Coral Porites 
astreoides 
Targets for external funding: NIH MBRS-
SCORE (10/06), NOAA Sea Grant-
University of Puerto Rico (2/07), NSF BIO-
OCE (8/06) 
Sussman (U Wisc.) 
Nelson (U Wisc.) 
T.Smith (UVI) 
Awarded 
$19,955 
Spr 06 – 
Sum 07 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Pilot study to integrate the effects of 
watershed activity patterns and coastal 
processes on near-shore coral reefs 
Targets for external funding: NOAA Sea 
Grant-University of Puerto Rico (2/07), 
NSF BIO-OCE (8/07), DOI USGS VI WRRI 
(12/06) 
T.Smith (UVI) 
Idrisi (UVI) 
Devine (UVI) 
Thomas (UVI) 
Awarded 
$18,319 
Spr 06 – 
Sum 07 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Measuring Near-Shore Bulk Sea 
Temperatures 
Targets for external funding: NSF, NOAA 
 
D.Smith (UVI) 
Watlington (UVI) 
+ Undergrads 
Awarded 
$14,500 
Spr 06 – 
Sum 07 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Biological Interactions at the Surface of 
Advanced Fouling-Release Marine 
Coatings 
Targets for external funding: Office of 
Naval Research, NSF, NIH, Other DOD 
branches 
Archibald (UVI) 
Turner (UVI) 
Awarded 
$25,000 
Spr 06 - 
Sum 07 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Symbiont diversity and population 
dynamics of coral reef sea anemones 
Targets for external funding: NSF, NOAA 
Chadwick (Auburn) 
Ratchford (UVI)  
Boulon (National 
Park) 
+ Undergrads 
Approval 
pending 
$30,000 
Spr 06 – 
Sum 07 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Feasibility Study for a Fishermen-
Based Coastal Pollution Monitoring 
Program in St. Thomas 
Olsen (St. Thomas 
Fishermen’s 
Association) 
Approval 
pending 
$19,240 
 
 
22
Targets for external funding: NOAA 
Cooperative Research Program, National 
Marine Fisheries Service Marine Fisheries 
Initiative Program (MARFIN) 
+ Fishermen 
Spr 06 – 
Sum 07 
VI-EPSCoR 
incubator 
Using data mining tools to analyze 
Caribbean oceanographic data 
Targets for external funding: NOAA Sea 
Grant-University of Puerto Rico (2/07), 
NSF CISE Data, Inference and 
Understanding Cluster 
Boumedine (UVI) 
+ Undergrads 
Approval 
pending 
$25,000 
Spr 06 – 
Sum 07 
 
 
 
 
23
Appendix D: VI-EPSCoR Personnel 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VI-EPSCoR Governing Committee  
Name 
Institution / Organization 
Frank Schulterbrandt 
Chairman of the Governing Committee and Executive Director, U.S. 
Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority 
LaVerne E. Ragster 
Co-Chair of the Governing Committee and President, University of the 
Virgin Islands (UVI) 
Lorraine Berry 
Senate President, U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature 
Donna M. Christensen 
U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress 
Noreen Michael 
Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education 
Richard Moore 
CEO, Para Technology 
Roderick Moorehead 
Board of Directors Member, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce 
Richard Nemeth 
Principal Investigator, Biocomplexity of Caribbean Coral Reefs (BCCR) 
and Director, UVI Center for Marine & Environmental Studies (CMES) 
Dean Plaskett 
Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural 
Resources 
David Sharp 
CEO, Innovative Corporation 
Henry H. Smith 
VI-EPSCoR Project Director and Vice Provost for Research and Public 
Service, UVI 
Robert Stolz 
Division of Science and Mathematics, UVI 
Thomas Taylor 
Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 
University of Kansas 
Lee Williams 
Vice President for Research  and Dean of the Graduate College, 
University of  Oklahoma 
 
 
Biodiversity of Caribbean Coral Reefs (BCCR) Advisory Board 
Name 
Institution / Organization 
Richard Nemeth 
Principal Investigator, BCCR, and Director, CMES 
Elizabeth Gladfelter 
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 
Cecil A. Jennings 
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resource, University of Georgia 
Barbara Kojis 
Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources-Division of 
Fish and Wildlife 
John McManus 
National Center for Coral Reef Research, University of Miami 
John C. Ogden 
Florida Institute of Oceanography 
Robert Richmond 
Pacific Biosciences Research Center-University of Hawaii at Manoa 
Caroline Rogers 
U.S. Geological Survey-Virgin Islands National Park Service 
Sandra Romano 
Division of Science and Mathematics, UVI 
Henry H. Smith 
VI-EPSCoR Project Director and Vice Provost for Research and Public 
Service, UVI 
Alina Szmant 
Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina-Wilmington 
Roy Watlington 
Division of Science and Mathematics, UVI 
Meri Whitaker 
VI-EPSCoR Project Co-Director 
 
 
VI-EPSCoR Staff  
Name 
Institution / Organization 
Henry H. Smith 
VI-EPSCoR Project Director and Vice Provost for Research and Public 
Service, UVI 
Meri Whitaker 
VI-EPSCoR Project Co-Director 
Richard Nemeth 
Principal Investigator, BCCR, and Director, CMES 
Vanere Goodwin 
Graduate Program Coordinator, Mathematics for Teachers 
Under recruitment 
Graduate Program Coordinator, Marine and Environmental Sciences 
Eoghan Joyce 
Research Manager, BCCR 
Under recruitment 
Outreach Communications Manager, VI-EPSCoR 
Paul Butler-Nalin 
External Consultant, VI-EPSCoR Monitoring and Evaluation 
 
 
24
Kaisa Prentice 
Program Specialist, VI-EPSCoR 
Marilyn Henderson 
Administrative Assistant, BCCR