Meet the Scientists Making Waves: The 2026-27 ForEverglades Fellows
Seven graduate researchers. One iconic ecosystem.
The Everglades is one of the world's most unique and complex ecosystems, and restoring it requires new ideas, innovative technology, and the next generation of scientific leaders. That's why The Everglades Foundation is proud to introduce the 2026-2027 class of ForEverglades Fellows, a distinguished group of graduate researchers whose work is advancing our understanding of everything from harmful algal blooms and climate hazards to endangered species and coastal food webs.
Representing universities across Florida, this year's Fellows are exploring some of the most pressing challenges facing Everglades restoration. Their research combines cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence and autonomous technology with field-based science that helps inform restoration and conservation efforts throughout South Florida.
Cleo Baldoumas | University of Florida
"Mapping the Mycoloop: Chytrid parasites as regulators of harmful algal blooms"
Ever heard of the Mycoloop? Neither have most non-scientists, but Cleo is tracking down chytrid fungi across 12 Everglades sites to determine how these microscopic parasites shape harmful algal blooms and ripple through the food web. Her findings could give water managers a powerful new tool for measuring restoration success.
Joel Chambers | Florida International University
"Explainable-AI Multi-Factor Prediction Model for Compound Flooding"
Flooding in South Florida can be a complex combination of rain, tides, saturated soil, and aging infrastructure all colliding at once. Joel is building an AI system that doesn't just predict these compound floods; it explains them. His tool will let operators compare forecasts to similar past events, so when the water is rising, they can make confident calls versus guessing.
Anthony Johnson | University of Florida
"'Forever Chemicals' in the Everglades: Temporal Trends and Evaluation of Fish Biomonitors"
PFAS, a notorious group of more than 15,000 synthetic “forever chemicals, are showing up everywhere, and the Everglades is no exception. Anthony is analyzing archived and contemporary fish specimens to trace how PFAS contamination has changed over time. By comparing Everglades populations to a Suwannee River reference group, he will identify the best fish species to use as living pollution monitors and shed light on how policy changes can shape future restoration.
Kevin Montiel | Florida International University
"Resolving belowground microbial responses to phosphorus enrichment in sawgrass dominated wetlands of Big Cypress National Preserve"
What's happening beneath the surface? Kevin is quite literally digging into how phosphorus enrichment changes the microbial communities living in sawgrass soils. By comparing the root zone to surrounding soil, he is pinpointing where ecological shifts begin near regulatory thresholds. His work will provide critical belowground evidence to guide restoration planning in Big Cypress National Preserve.
Hamed Najafi | Florida International University
"AI Super-Resolution Downscaling for Extreme Precipitation and Hazard-Relevant Fields"
Global climate models are great at big-picture forecasting, but can miss local occurrences, such as flash floods, severe winds, and storms that hit our neighborhoods. Hamed is using machine learning to "zoom in" on those projections and generate high-resolution regional forecasts to better plan for the extreme weather events that matter most.
Brooke Poplin | University of Florida
"Evaluating Management Scenario Effectiveness for Snail Kite Restoration in the Everglades"
The Florida Snail Kite is one of the Everglades' most endangered birds, and Brooke is building the playbook for its comeback. Using three decades of monitoring and tracking data, she's creating a simulation model to test restoration strategies: hydrologic tweaks, nesting habitat improvements, native apple snail supplementation, and more. Her work will rank the options and identify where intervention can do the most good.
Lacy Smith | Florida International University
"Into Inaccessible Waters: Using Autonomous Technology to Investigate Juvenile Bull Shark Movement in the Shark River Estuary"
Lacy is deploying autonomous surface vehicles and acoustic tags to track juvenile bull sharks in the shallow, murky waters of the Shark River Estuary, an area too tricky for traditional research boats. By connecting shark movement to seasonal prey patterns, her work will help increase understanding of how restoration-driven water changes might reshape the coastal food web.
The Future of the Everglades is in Good Hands
From artificial intelligence and autonomous technology to fungi, forever chemicals, endangered birds, and apex predators, the 2026-2027 ForEverglades Fellows are asking bold questions and developing innovative approaches to help advance Everglades restoration.
Their work is made possible through The Everglades Foundation's ForEverglades Research Enhancement Grant Program. Since 2008, the program has awarded more than $2.5 million to 118 graduate students, supporting research that expands our understanding of the Everglades and helps inform the restoration and protection of this globally significant ecosystem.
These emerging scientists represent the future of Everglades research, and their discoveries will help shape how we manage and restore this extraordinary landscape for generations to come.
Supported by Committed Partners
The ForEverglades Research Enhancement Grant Program is made possible through the generous support of:
Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation
The Woodbury Foundation
Their commitment to science, education, and conservation is helping empower the next generation of researchers who are working to protect and restore America’s Everglades.
Celebrate the 2025-2026 ForEverglades Fellows
Every year, the ForEverglades Fellowship program supports graduate students whose research is helping answer critical questions about the future of the Everglades.
Watch our video celebrating the accomplishments of the 2025-2026 ForEverglades Fellows and learn how these emerging scientists are contributing to one of the most ambitious ecosystem restoration efforts in the world.
Want to learn more?
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