91制片厂

91制片厂 Graduate Studying Deadly Bacteria in Florida

Gabrielle Barbarite received her doctorate in integrative biology on Tuesday, August 9.


By kelsie weekes | 8/10/2016

For Gabrielle Barbarite, the decision to attend 91制片厂 was an easy one. The South Florida native, 30, grew up on the water and knew she wanted to take advantage of 91制片厂鈥檚 marine biology program. After earning an undergraduate degree at 91制片厂, she continued her marine biology studies 鈥 determined to learn about the fatal bacteria that was infiltrating the Treasure Coast鈥檚 Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and causing much sickness and death.聽 This important research has led Barbarite back to the commencement stage 鈥 where she recently received a doctorate in integrative biology.

Barbarite鈥檚 knowledge of 91制片厂鈥檚 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) in Fort Pierce, a research institute focused on innovation in ocean science, originally attracted her to 91制片厂 in 2004. She immediately signed up for HBOI鈥檚 Semester-by-the-Sea program, which offers undergraduate students an opportunity to immerse themselves in marine science.

鈥淗BOI is unique in that you can work directly with researchers who are doing these really cool projects,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t didn鈥檛 even feel like I was in school.鈥

After earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marine biology, Barbarite continued her studies at HBOI and enrolled in its graduate program in integrative biology. That鈥檚 where she connected with Peter McCarthy, Ph.D, a research professor and the associate director for education at Harbor Branch.

鈥淕abby and I developed an interesting Ph.D. project that combined her love of marine biology with my interests in microbiology,鈥 McCarthy said. 鈥淪he has proven herself to be a very capable research scientist whose outgoing personality allows her to communicate clearly with both scientists and the general public.鈥

Barbarite鈥檚 research project focused on Vibrio vulnificus, a naturally-occurring bacterium that has caused 42 deaths in Florida over the past four years, including three in the IRL where her study occurred. Barbarite has been sampling water, sediment, fish and bait to determine where these bacteria live and how they can be transmitted to humans, specifically fishermen. She says there鈥檚 a lack of information available to the public about Vibrio infections, and she鈥檚 working hard to change that.

鈥淚 want to translate the science so the public can understand it,鈥 she said.

Barbarite collaborated with Florida Sea Grant to create a flyer about Vibrio to post at local boat ramps. She鈥檚 also been busy traveling around the state giving lectures on Vibrio at more than 20 nature centers. She鈥檚 spoken at conferences including the Indian River Lagoon Symposium, Florida Academy of Sciences, and the American Society for Microbiology. Her findings have been featured in USA Today, Florida Today, and the TC Palm.

鈥淲hile I enjoy doing research, I鈥檓 more interested in education and outreach,鈥 she said.

Barbarite says her most rewarding experience at HBOI has been working with undergraduate students interested in marine biology. 聽She served as a teaching assistant and instructor for HBOI鈥檚 Semester by the Sea program, the same program she attended as an undergraduate.

鈥淚 worked very closely with students and helped them decide what they were interested in and how to apply for graduate school and jobs,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been awesome to keep in touch with them after all these years and see all the great things they鈥檝e accomplished.鈥

One of her students, Brandon McHenry, has decided to continue Barbarite鈥檚 research on Vibrio in his upcoming graduate studies. He says she has impacted his life both personally and professionally.

鈥淕abby has taught me skills and techniques that I could have only learned through hands-on experience,鈥 McHenry said. 鈥淪he is an incredible person, mentor and friend, and is always willing to go out of her way to help others.鈥

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