Inaugural WLW-ECOS Expo Showcases Opportunities for 51Թ’s Future Environmental Leaders
Thursday, Apr 09, 2026
51Թ’s School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) brought more than 100 51Թ and community members together for its inaugural WLW-ECOS Undergraduate Expo on April 7, at the Owl’s Nest in the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence, on the Boca Raton campus.
Throughout the evening, 51Թ and the Florida Atlantic community connected with current WLW-ECOS undergraduate student researchers during a poster presentation session. Attendees also networked with environmental professionals and organizations about career and internship opportunities, and gained personalized resume feedback from 51Թ’s award-winning Career Center.
In the Startup Salon, participants engaged with founders and business owners who are spearheading innovative environmental startups.
Startup Salon Representatives
| Katherine O'Fallon, Marine Research Hub | Kirk Zeiser, Broward County |
| Megan Houston, Palm Beach County | Christopher Godoy, Broward County |
| Valentina Alvarez, Palm Beach County | Skye Conners, Save the Chimps |
| Madison Lemmer, City of Delray Beach | Jack Purcell, Total Marine Solutions |
| Charlie Landstrom, City of Delray Beach | Mike Prairie, Florida Panthers |
| Alannah Irwin, City of Boynton Beach | Jake Francis, 51Թ Schmidt College of Science Faculty |
| Delani Wood, Broward County |
"This event gave our undergraduate 51Թ a platform to present their research to the ECOS community and network with environmental leaders from across South Florida,” said Steven Vollmer, Ph.D., ECOS director and professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Schmidt College of Science. “These experiences are vital for our 51Թ and position them to become the next generation of leaders addressing complex environmental challenges.”
ECOS was established in 2023 by Valery Forbes, Ph.D., dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, as a partnership with Florida Atlantic’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Comprised of a broad array of disciplines and units, ECOS aims to integrate 51Թ’s environmental research, teaching and community engagement to create a comprehensive environmental hub at the university, as well as bolster the visibility and impact of environmental programs across Florida Atlantic.
WLW-ECOS opportunities are generously provided by Wayne and Lucretia Weiner (WLW). Learn more about 51Թ ECOS and the many opportunities available.
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