Affiliates & Fellows
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Advancing our Mission
At its core, ODU’s Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience seeks to advance the practice of resilience and adaptation by working across sectors and levels of government to develop practical solutions for coastal communities. This challenging task is made possible in part through ICAR’s accomplished Affiliates and Fellows, Old Dominion University researchers from across the STEM fields, social sciences, and humanities.
Their investment of time and energy, along with their considerable research expertise, support resilience building now and for the future, and educate students and professionals to become the next generation of leaders in coastal resilience.
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ICAR Affiliates
Michael Clemons
Professor and Director of the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity
Erika Frydenlund
Research Associate Professor, Academic Affairs
Anna Jeng
Professor, School of Community & Environmental Health
John Klinck
Professor, Department of Ocean & Earth Sciences
Michael Pokojovy
Associate Professor, Mathematics and Statistics
Guohui Song
Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics & Statistics
Tancy Vandecar-Burdin
Director, Social Science Research Center
Lida Haghnegahadar
Research Assistant Professor, School of Cybersecurity
Eileen E. Hofmann
Professor, Department of Ocean & Earth Sciences
Chunqui Jiang
Professor, Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics
Elizabeth Wallace
Assistant Professor, Department of Ocean & Earth Sciences
Kun Xie
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Venicia Ferrell
Research Assistant Professor, Center for Educational Partnerships
Rip Hale
Assistant Professor, Department of Earth & Ocean Sciences
Dalya Ismael
Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering Technology
Athena M. King
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and Geography
Eduardo Landaeta
Asst. Dir. Alumni Relations/ Communications, Alumni Relations
Michael Seek
Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering Technology
Ricardo Ungo
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Information Technology & Decision Sciences
Cong Wei
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
ICAR Fellows
Tom Allen
Professor, Department of Political Science & Geography
Joshua Behr
Research Professor, Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center
George McLeod
Director, Center for Geospatial Science, Education, and Analytics
Mujde Erten Unal
Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Theodore Gournelos
Associate Professor, Department of Communication & Theatre Arts
Taylor Sloey
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Jennifer Whytlaw
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science & Geography
Steven M. Becker
Professor, School of Community & Environmental Health
Leslie Hoglund
Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Community & Environmental Health
Navid Tahvildari
Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Erik Yando
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Elizabeth River Project Fellows
Venicia Ferrell
Research Assistant Professor, Center for Educational Partnerships
Phone: 757-683-3197
Email: vferrell@odu.edu
Dr. Venicia Ferrell, a Research Assistant Professor at Old Dominion University's The Center for Educational Partnerships (TCEP), leads environmental literacy projects, including SEVEE Consortium, B-WET, and DCR initiatives. With 23 years of experience in K-12 education, she excels in integrating technology, designing curricula, and delivering professional development. Dr. Ferrell pioneered the Hampton Environmental Literacy Program, recognized by NOAA and state authorities. She presents at national, state, and regional conferences. Previously a science supervisor in Virginia, she shaped science curricula and served on the State STEM Board. Dr. Ferrell's work is dedicated to environmental education that enrich the lives of students and educators.
Phone: 757-683-3197
Email: vferrell@odu.edu
Dr. Venicia Ferrell, a Research Assistant Professor at Old Dominion University's The Center for Educational Partnerships (TCEP), leads environmental literacy projects, including SEVEE Consortium, B-WET, and DCR initiatives. With 23 years of experience in K-12 education, she excels in integrating technology, designing curricula, and delivering professional development. Dr. Ferrell pioneered the Hampton Environmental Literacy Program, recognized by NOAA and state authorities. She presents at national, state, and regional conferences. Previously a science supervisor in Virginia, she shaped science curricula and served on the State STEM Board. Dr. Ferrell's work is dedicated to environmental education that enrich the lives of students and educators.
David Robledo
Lecturer, Department of English
Phone: 757-683-5818
Email: drobledo@odu.edu
David Robledo is a community action researcher who studies interrelationships of seafood nutrition and ocean biodiversity collapse. A Fulbright research ambassador and lecturer in Technical Writing at Old Dominion University, his work builds from a career developing small-scale environmental economy in Latin-x zones. His current research project titled The Amazing Neighborhood Mollusk Adventure models sustainable aquaculture as a solution to fishery collapse, using localized scientific analysis to develop a climate theater of consumer choices to support nutrition-economic systems and coastal habitats.
Phone: 757-683-5818
Email: drobledo@odu.edu
David Robledo is a community action researcher who studies interrelationships of seafood nutrition and ocean biodiversity collapse. A Fulbright research ambassador and lecturer in Technical Writing at Old Dominion University, his work builds from a career developing small-scale environmental economy in Latin-x zones. His current research project titled The Amazing Neighborhood Mollusk Adventure models sustainable aquaculture as a solution to fishery collapse, using localized scientific analysis to develop a climate theater of consumer choices to support nutrition-economic systems and coastal habitats.
Taylor Sloey
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Phone: 757-683-3595
Email: tsloey@odu.edu
Dr. Sloey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Old Dominion University and the PI of the Wetland Plant and Restoration Lab. She is trained as a wetland plant ecologist and restoration ecologist who dabbles in plant ecophysiology. Her lab’s research focuses on understanding how wetland ecosystems, particularly plants, respond to environmental changes and disturbance in a context that informs restoration and management. Using field, greenhouse, and mesocosm studies, her lab explores applied research questions in ecosystems ranging from coastal marshes and mangroves to freshwater forested swamps.
Phone: 757-683-3595
Email: tsloey@odu.edu
Dr. Sloey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Old Dominion University and the PI of the Wetland Plant and Restoration Lab. She is trained as a wetland plant ecologist and restoration ecologist who dabbles in plant ecophysiology. Her lab’s research focuses on understanding how wetland ecosystems, particularly plants, respond to environmental changes and disturbance in a context that informs restoration and management. Using field, greenhouse, and mesocosm studies, her lab explores applied research questions in ecosystems ranging from coastal marshes and mangroves to freshwater forested swamps.
Erik Yando
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Phone: 757-818-8941(m)
Email: eyando@odu.edu
Erik Yando is a coastal and wetland ecologist who studies systems interactions and resilience with a focus on plants and soil. Trained in botany and ecology, Erik has worked in a variety of regions across the US and globe exploring marshes, mangroves, seagrasses, and swamps. He received his BA from Connecticut College and his MS and PhD from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Erik has been part of ODU’s Department of Biological Sciences since 2020 where he leads the Coastal Plant and Ecotone Ecology Lab.
Phone: 757-818-8941(m)
Email: eyando@odu.edu
Erik Yando is a coastal and wetland ecologist who studies systems interactions and resilience with a focus on plants and soil. Trained in botany and ecology, Erik has worked in a variety of regions across the US and globe exploring marshes, mangroves, seagrasses, and swamps. He received his BA from Connecticut College and his MS and PhD from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Erik has been part of ODU’s Department of Biological Sciences since 2020 where he leads the Coastal Plant and Ecotone Ecology Lab.
Elizabeth River Project Fellows
Venicia Ferrell
Research Assistant Professor, Center for Educational Partnerships
Phone: 757-683-3197
Email: vferrell@odu.edu
Dr. Venicia Ferrell, a Research Assistant Professor at Old Dominion University's The Center for Educational Partnerships (TCEP), leads environmental literacy projects, including SEVEE Consortium, B-WET, and DCR initiatives. With 23 years of experience in K-12 education, she excels in integrating technology, designing curricula, and delivering professional development. Dr. Ferrell pioneered the Hampton Environmental Literacy Program, recognized by NOAA and state authorities. She presents at national, state, and regional conferences. Previously a science supervisor in Virginia, she shaped science curricula and served on the State STEM Board. Dr. Ferrell's work is dedicated to environmental education that enrich the lives of students and educators.
Phone: 757-683-3197
Email: vferrell@odu.edu
Dr. Venicia Ferrell, a Research Assistant Professor at Old Dominion University's The Center for Educational Partnerships (TCEP), leads environmental literacy projects, including SEVEE Consortium, B-WET, and DCR initiatives. With 23 years of experience in K-12 education, she excels in integrating technology, designing curricula, and delivering professional development. Dr. Ferrell pioneered the Hampton Environmental Literacy Program, recognized by NOAA and state authorities. She presents at national, state, and regional conferences. Previously a science supervisor in Virginia, she shaped science curricula and served on the State STEM Board. Dr. Ferrell's work is dedicated to environmental education that enrich the lives of students and educators.
David Robledo
Lecturer, Department of English
Phone: 757-683-5818
Email: drobledo@odu.edu
David Robledo is a community action researcher who studies interrelationships of seafood nutrition and ocean biodiversity collapse. A Fulbright research ambassador and lecturer in Technical Writing at Old Dominion University, his work builds from a career developing small-scale environmental economy in Latin-x zones. His current research project titled The Amazing Neighborhood Mollusk Adventure models sustainable aquaculture as a solution to fishery collapse, using localized scientific analysis to develop a climate theater of consumer choices to support nutrition-economic systems and coastal habitats.
Phone: 757-683-5818
Email: drobledo@odu.edu
David Robledo is a community action researcher who studies interrelationships of seafood nutrition and ocean biodiversity collapse. A Fulbright research ambassador and lecturer in Technical Writing at Old Dominion University, his work builds from a career developing small-scale environmental economy in Latin-x zones. His current research project titled The Amazing Neighborhood Mollusk Adventure models sustainable aquaculture as a solution to fishery collapse, using localized scientific analysis to develop a climate theater of consumer choices to support nutrition-economic systems and coastal habitats.
Taylor Sloey
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Phone: 757-683-3595
Email: tsloey@odu.edu
Dr. Sloey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Old Dominion University and the PI of the Wetland Plant and Restoration Lab. She is trained as a wetland plant ecologist and restoration ecologist who dabbles in plant ecophysiology. Her lab’s research focuses on understanding how wetland ecosystems, particularly plants, respond to environmental changes and disturbance in a context that informs restoration and management. Using field, greenhouse, and mesocosm studies, her lab explores applied research questions in ecosystems ranging from coastal marshes and mangroves to freshwater forested swamps.
Phone: 757-683-3595
Email: tsloey@odu.edu
Dr. Sloey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Old Dominion University and the PI of the Wetland Plant and Restoration Lab. She is trained as a wetland plant ecologist and restoration ecologist who dabbles in plant ecophysiology. Her lab’s research focuses on understanding how wetland ecosystems, particularly plants, respond to environmental changes and disturbance in a context that informs restoration and management. Using field, greenhouse, and mesocosm studies, her lab explores applied research questions in ecosystems ranging from coastal marshes and mangroves to freshwater forested swamps.
Erik Yando
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Phone: 757-818-8941(m)
Email: eyando@odu.edu
Erik Yando is a coastal and wetland ecologist who studies systems interactions and resilience with a focus on plants and soil. Trained in botany and ecology, Erik has worked in a variety of regions across the US and globe exploring marshes, mangroves, seagrasses, and swamps. He received his BA from Connecticut College and his MS and PhD from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Erik has been part of ODU’s Department of Biological Sciences since 2020 where he leads the Coastal Plant and Ecotone Ecology Lab.
Phone: 757-818-8941(m)
Email: eyando@odu.edu
Erik Yando is a coastal and wetland ecologist who studies systems interactions and resilience with a focus on plants and soil. Trained in botany and ecology, Erik has worked in a variety of regions across the US and globe exploring marshes, mangroves, seagrasses, and swamps. He received his BA from Connecticut College and his MS and PhD from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Erik has been part of ODU’s Department of Biological Sciences since 2020 where he leads the Coastal Plant and Ecotone Ecology Lab.
