UD doctoral student dives deep to explore the underwater world

At the University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, doctoral student TreVaughn Ellis has continued his interest in researching microbial seagrass communities underwater. In fact, a good part of his research has focused on the microbiome – the community of microorganisms – of seagrass species in the Delaware Bay and how they respond to different variables such as tidal stressors. 

The only problem with his desire to take a closer look at these seagrass beds on his own time? He didn’t have any diving gear. 

As a recent recipient of the Zale Parry Scholarship from the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, Ellis can now purchase the necessary equipment and take his research to the next level.

The Zale Parry Scholarship offers financial support to individuals seeking to advance their knowledge or to enter professional careers in ocean exploration and related fields. It is named after Zale Parry, a scuba pioneer, underwater photographer and actress. 

“That scholarship gave me the means to actually build my kit and be able to get diving in Delaware,” said Ellis. 

In addition to the monetary award, Ellis flew to Florida for the NOGI Awards ceremony sponsored by the academy, which he said offered a valuable networking opportunity. 

“In her letter congratulating me on the scholarship, Zale Parry said the ceremony was the ‘Oscars for the diving community,’” said Ellis. “And it was like the Oscars for me, because they rented my tuxedo, they paid for my flight, and the people who were there were literally history makers. By talking to them, I was able to get advice on purchasing the correct gear for the type of diving that I want to do.” 

Ellis, who learned to dive in 2024 through the UCLA Diversity Project and earned credentials as a scientific diver, is interested in cold-water diving. Due to the extreme icy conditions and poor visibility divers must endure, this type of diving is less popular than its warm-water counterpart. 

However, while it might not be as prevalent, Ellis said it is just as important. 

“My research is here in Delaware, and it gets cold in our waters. Having the right equipment to stay under longer and be able to investigate some of these critical ecosystems is important,” said Ellis. “Our seagrass beds are disappearing, and there are a lot of things that need to be investigated when it comes to preserving those ecosystems. So yeah, cold-water diving is for me.” 

Microbes are key to keeping underwater plants healthy, and Ellis’ research at UD includes examining how microbes generate power underwater, conducting a census of Delaware submerged aquatic vegetation, aka SAV, and conducting a lab-based study to see how SAV microbiomes are impacted by physical stressors such as boat activity and heat. 

Ellis is a doctoral student in Jennifer Biddle's lab group. He first came to UD in summer 2021, during a Research Experience for Undergraduates program where he also worked with Biddle, the Mary A.S. Lighthipe Professor of Marine Studies. 

He said Biddle was a big reason why he wanted to continue his studies at UD after graduating with a degree in biology from American University in Washington D.C. 

“Jen is a great advisor, and she is someone that I knew I could trust or rely on,” said Ellis. “She was someone I could see myself learning a lot from, and Jen gave me the platform to do all of these different things. She’s awesome and wonderful, and I'm really lucky to have her as my advisor.” 

For her part, Biddle said Ellis has been an incredible student, not only for UD but for the greater Lewes community. 

“TreVaughn first stood out to me due to a recommendation letter that we received with his application to our National Science Foundation-funded REU program. It said he was ‘a professor's dream student.’ I knew right then he was the intern I'd select,” said Biddle. “TreVaughn is not only a serious and talented student; he's also a member of the local beekeepers group, a greeter at the Lewes Farmers Market and just completed Delaware Fire School to volunteer with the Lewes Fire Department.”