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Congratulations to Kayla Mosteller who graduated from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science on May 8, with a B.S. in geosciences and concentration in climate change. Prior to receiving her degree, she was recognized at the university’s 2026 Honors Convocation as the Undergraduate Researcher of the Year for the Schmidt College of Science.

“I was incredibly honored to receive this recognition,” expressed Mosteller. “It feels rewarding to know that my work in undergraduate research over the last year and a half has not gone unnoticed. The experience and knowledge I gained from research has transformed my undergraduate studies in the Department of Geosciences. Thank you to my faculty mentors, the 51�Թ��� School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability and my peers for giving me the tools to succeed at 51�Թ���.”

In 2024, Mosteller began working as an undergraduate research assistant in the Coastal Studies Lab (CSL) with Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D., chair and associate professor in the Department of Geosciences, on a graduate project analyzing microplastics in coastal sediments. This work allowed her to gain experience with sediment analysis and the importance of harmful microplastics. She was then introduced to a new opportunity at CSL with Postdoctoral Fellow Samantha Kuschke to investigate the sediment in leatherback sea turtle nests and their relationship with leatherback hatching success.

“Drs. Briggs and Kuschke have given me incredible opportunities to gain experience in the world of science,” stated Mosteller. “Their guidance has not only allowed me to be immersed in the Department of Geosciences, but also in the Department of Biological Sciences where I have performed hands-on research on DNA extractions and sea turtle incubation monitoring.”

Mosteller was awarded the WLW-ECOS Research Fellowship in the CSL, which allowed her to work additional hours in the lab to gain field experience on new graduate projects, such as performing field research to measure the beach profiles on local beach renourishment projects. She also helped collect samples for a brand-new project to evaluate beach water levels, sediments and morphology in relation to sea turtle reproductive outcomes.

“The WLW-ECOS foundation gave me so much support over the last two years,” shared Mosteller. “The WLW-ECOS Student Success Scholarship provided financial support for tuition bills and the opportunity to work fewer hours at my part-time job, allowing me to devote more time to academics. As an out-of-state student living apart from my family, I have supported myself, and this generous investment has helped me in countless ways.”

Thanks to her outstanding record of academic and research accomplishments, Mosteller landed a biodiversity restoration internship with the Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC) in Delray Beach through the WLW-ECOS internship program. After she completed her internship in September 2025, Mosteller was quickly hired by the IRC, a non-profit organization committed to the protection, restoration and long-term management of conservation research and action throughout South Florida, the Caribbean and beyond.

“For me, one of the main highlights of working at IRC has been facilitating our restoration volunteer events,” noted Mosteller. “It has been an amazing opportunity to lead ecological restoration within our local dune ecosystems and a great leadership experience. I am also I am grateful to be learning under 51�Թ��� alumna Elizabeth Dutra!”

As an undergraduate, Mosteller was involved with Florida Atlantic’s American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) Student and New Professionals Chapter. She also captured first place in the Dr. Eric Shaw Excellence in Science Undergraduate Research Poster Competition during the college’s Science Social in October 2025, for her project “Analyzing Sediment and Nest Success in Leatherback Sea Turtle Nests.”

The newly minted graduate intends to take a semester off to gain some environmental experience outside of academics, as well as continue her position as a biodiversity restoration intern with the IRC. After that, Mosteller’s goal is to begin her graduate studies at 51�Թ���.

“I hope that every endeavor I have—and work I pursue in my career—makes positive environmental change,” expressed Mosteller. “I have a great passion for environmental conservation and leadership. I hope to work toward this change, engaging with communities to bring people together to care for our Earth.”