Team Members
Dr. Jean Taylor Ellis
Lab Leader
Ph.D., Geography, Texas A&M University
M.S., Geography, University of Southern California
B.S., Envt. Studies (Biology), University of Southern California
Jean is leader of the WINDlab and Professor of Geography at University of South Carolina. Before joining the faculty at the UofSC in 2009, she held a position at NASA’s Applied Science Program at Stennis Space Center. She was a 2014 Fulbright Scholar at LABOMAR – Universidade Federal do Ceara.
Peter Tereszkiewicz
Doctoral Candidate
M.A., Environmental Science, University of West Florida (2016)
B.S., Environmental Science/GIS, University of West Florida (2014)
Pete’s primary research focus is applied coastal and aeolian geomorphology, specifically the role land-sea-breeze interactions have on dune recovery post-storm. His additional research seeks to understand public perception of beach-dune systems through the lens of social media. Pete is a field junky and has assisted in numerous field campaigns from assessing structural induced morphologic change along the northern Yucatán coast, to studying munition mobility in the swash zone, and measuring offshore sediment transport during Mid-Latitude Cyclones. His passion in engaging undergraduate students in field research led to re-establishment of the James P. Morgan coastal research grid (circa 1978) in 2014. Additionally, he has led geomorphology field methods courses for the Florida Institute of Oceanography. When not in the lab or on a beach, Pete is most likely climbing or homebrewing, among other hobbies.
Michelle Harris
Doctoral Student
M.S., University of South Carolina (2019)
B.S., Sam Houston State (2016)
Michelle is interested in coastal geomorphology, coastal management, and utilizing a mixed methods approach to her research that gets her out in the sand. She is particularly interested in relating her future research to coastal managers, stakeholders, and the public. Her master’s thesis evaluated the efficacy of sand fences on a dune system post-storm. Her other research has revolved around shoreline stabilization techniques and their resultant impacts to the beach-dune system. During her time at UofSC, Michelle has served as a research associate for various projects at Isle of Palms, SC, and assisted the City of Beaufort, SC, with modeling sea level rise and vulnerability. Michelle was a 2020 NOAA John A. Knauss Marine Fellow. As an undergraduate her research interests in coastal and marine science led her to topics on fishery sustainability off the Kona Coast, and to a spatial analysis on invasive lionfish.
Jay Kim
Doctoral Student
M.S., Physical Geography, Kyung Hee University (South Korea) (2019)
B.S., Geography, Kyung Hee University (South Korea) (2017)
Jay’s research interests are beach morphodynamics, coastal preservation engineering, and waves and currents. He is especially interested in sediment transports after natural events like hurricanes and rip-currents, or anthropogenic effects like artificial structure constructions, nourishment, and dredging. He uses Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), also known as drones, to detect and analyze subtle changes in coastal landforms. He is also interested in remote sensing using satellite images, aerial photographs, and Lidar to broaden his perspectives in time and space series. His master's thesis detected analyzed a beach’s changes in South Korea after nourishment using UAS. His other research explored the effects of port construction on shoreline changes utilizing satellite images and aerial images. When he needs a break, he leaves for a quiet place and enjoys camping or taking pictures.
G. Brody Marino
Master's Student
B.S. Geology/Government, College of William and Mary (2016)
Brody's interests lie in coastal geomorphology, coastal management & GIS, and science & environmental policy. Currently, his research compares different shoreline analysis tools for coastal management in Myrtle Beach, SC. His prior work examined seasonal and spatial sedimentological trends in the Merrimack Embayment of northeastern Massachusetts. He has also interned with the American Geophysical Union in Washington, D.C., working in geoscience policy and advocacy.