MSRC congratulates masters student Konstantine Rountos, who was recently awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in begin research at the University of Crete in Greece next semester.
Konstantine’s research in Greece will focus on the negative effects of aquaculture on ecologically important benthic communities, specifically sea grass beds. Aquaculture is an expanding industry in the eastern Mediterranean, and is growing at a rate faster than policy can regulate it. Harmful aquaculture practices can cause areas of anoxia to appear in the sediments underneath fish farm cages. Konstantine will examine the effects of these anoxia areas on sea grass community dynamics, focusing his research efforts on sea urchin communities that form grazing fronts around sea grasses affected by anoxia.
“I am t
hrilled that Konstantine received a Fulbright Fellowship to study in Greece for the 07/08 academic year. This is an outstanding achievement,” said MSRC Dean and Director David Conover.
Konstantine came to MSRC in 2005, after receiving his B.S. from Manhattan College where he studied biology and researched benthic toxicology. His research interests include benthic community dynamics and sea grass ecology. For his master’s thesis, Konstantine is working with his advisor, Dr. Bradley Peterson, on examining the effects of sulfide toxicity on sea grass beds in Great South Bay.
“I truly appreciate all the congratulations, support and encouragement. I am honored to be a part of MSRC and will try my hardest to represent MSRC and the United States to the best of my ability,” said Konstantine.
As public outreach is an important component of the Fulbright Fellowship, Konstantine plans to incorporate environmental education and outreach components into his research plan. He hopes to organize public lectures and start an environmental education program in elementary schools, teaching communities about important environmental issues and providing them with alternatives to current practices.
