Undergraduate
Cadet Hunter L. Bramley ’25 – Bowers Research Award Winner
Title: Age, growth, diet and reproduction of African pompano
Author: Hunter L. Bramley Faculty: Clinton Moran
ABSTRACT: African pompano (Alectis ciliaris) is a valuable commercial species, yet little is known about its biology, which is key for management decisions. This study examined age, growth, diet, and reproduction in specimens from Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Fish were collected, measured, and analyzed for gut content, gonads, and otoliths. Results showed rapid growth, reaching 5.5 kg within two years, with a maximum age of 9 years and 17.7 kg. Diet primarily consisted of cephalopods, with few fish remains found. Reproductive capacity varied, with gonad weight positively correlated to body weight, and female fecundity increasing with age. No clear seasonal spawning pattern was observed, suggesting continuous summer spawning. These findings provide critical biological insights to inform science-based management strategies.
Mr. Banks has participated in undergraduate research since a Freshman. He worked with Dr. Moyer on monocarbon microspheres. He worked with her during the academic year and for two summers. He received funding through the Wideman Research Fellowship, the SURE Program and the James Near Climate Center. He presented the results of this research at the National American Chemical Society Conference in San Diego in the Spring of 2023 as well as the SURF conference at Wofford and other campus conferences. He received first place distinction for his research poster presentation by Sigma Xi in the Spring of 2023. When Dr. Moyer left The Citadel, he began working with me on investigating the chemical reactions and enzymes involved in glycolysis. He takes an active role in reading the literature, planning and completing experiments and analyzing the data. He is a matured into an independent researcher.
Travis C. Elliott ‘24 (Biology) – Cadet Travis Elliott is a pre-medical student who has attained several significant achievements in areas considered important for this award, including maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA as a Biology major, and making substantial contributions as a varsity athlete.One of Cadet Elliott’s major academic strengths is his ability to communicate. In his upper-level biology courses he clearly articulates his responses on tests and in discussions. In addition to his outstanding academic abilities, Travis has served The Citadel as a leader by his efforts as the starting 2nd baseman on The Citadel’s varsity baseball team, where he is highly valued.
He is a member of the SoCon (Southern Conference) Spring Academic All-Conference team; he has received the SoCon Commissioner’s Academic Medal twice; and he is a member of The Citadel’s FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). He is a genuinely good guy who is well-liked among his peers and who has displayed impeccable conduct as a cadet, never receiving any punishments during his four years at The Citadel. Travis also has a passion for outreach, and he has been generous with his limited free time in service to others. For example, from 2018-2020 he served as a baseball umpire for the Gilbert Dixie Youth Baseball Program, and in the summer of 2022, he served as a medical intern for Prisma Health Orthopedics.
Sadie Gomez ’24 (Mathematical Sciences) – Cadet Sadie Gomez joined the Citadel in Fall 2021 as a freshman mathematics major on a volleyball scholarship. She has excelled in all her classes throughout her academic studies here at The Citadel. She has maintained a 3.9 GPA even with a busy schedule with her volleyball games and is set to graduate this year (her 3rd year at The Citadel). In addition to taking her regular classes, she began working on her research project titled Prime Progressions, as a rising sophomore and received the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience grant during the summer of 2022 for the same. Cadet Gomez is a diligent hard-working student and never shies away from challenging assignments and projects. Finally, Cadet Sadie Gomez has already been recruited into the Space Force and will joining this exclusive branch of military after she graduates in May 2024.
Dalton Hazelwood ‘24 (Cyber and Computer Sciences) – Dalton is pursuing double majors in Computer Science and Cyber Operations with a minor in Data Science. Dalton has been awarded the prestigious Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship (DoD CySP) Award for the last two years. He will be joining the Cyber Workforce at Naval Information Warfare Center after his graduation. Dalton has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a dedication to success. His academic performance in Computer Science and Cyber Operations is commendable, with an impressive overall GPA of 3.745. Notably, Dalton has earned Gold Stars from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023 for maintaining a GPA above 3.7 and has been consistently named on the Dean’s List since Fall 2020.
In addition to his academic achievements, Dalton has gained valuable practical experience. At the Naval Information Warfare Center, Dalton’s internship experience underscores his ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios. His work in automation and security has been commendable, demonstrating his technical proficiency and adaptability. As a Computer Science Tutor at The Citadel, Dalton has exhibited a unique talent for mentoring and guiding his peers, simplifying complex technical concepts with ease. What truly sets Dalton apart is his character – his resilience, integrity, and team spirit. His ability to collaborate effectively with peers and mentors alike, coupled with his unwavering commitment to his goals, makes him a valuable asset to any team or organization.
William Templeton ‘24 (Health and Human Performance) – Will has been accepted to his first choice of physical therapy programs. He will be going to his hometown of Savannah, Georgia to complete his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Georgia Southern University. Will took full advantage of his opportunity to go on The Citadel Healthcare Study Abroad Program to Kenya. With numerous hours of working within The Citadel Medical Camp, Will gained a thorough understanding of global healthcare and Physical Therapy techniques that are different from those in the United States. He was an asset to the medical camp and took responsibility for many aspects of the camp as soon as he recognized a need. He gained a first-hand perspective of how the training of Physical Therapists can vary depending on location and resources. Will grew in his perceptions and was able to self-analyze, critique, and self-reflect and become a truly well-rounded, empathetic pre-PT student. He embraced the unique Kenyan culture and formed relationships with all he worked with and all his patients. He is a very personable young man and well-liked by all. This was clearly evident in how the patients felt comfortable with Will.
Graduate / Active Duty
Ms. Delayne Nickles ’24 (Nursing – Evening) – Delayne is a student in her final semester of nursing education as part of the evening cohort in the Swain Department of Nursing. The nomination for the Outstanding Student in the Department of Nursing was an easy and immediate decision by the faculty in the Swain Department of Nursing. Delayne’ s constant desire to learn fuels her success in both the classroom and clinical setting. Her academic strength is noted with making the Dean’s List and with her recent induction into Sigma Theta Tau, The International Honor Society of Nursing. The invitation to join Sigma Theta Tau is only awarded to students with a grade point average higher than a 3.0 and who are ranked in the top 35% of their class. Her grade point average of 3.94 offers evidence that she holds herself accountable to receiving good grades. In the clinical setting, Delayne easily transfers theoretical knowledge into the clinical setting. Patient care assignments reveal her ability to correlate laboratory data, diagnostic results, and assessment findings to specific disease entities. Patient care is well-received, and her time management skills are superb. Delayne extends her learning beyond those to whom she is assigned to provide nursing care by her continued desire to seek learning opportunities that expand her nursing knowledge.
Ms. Dana Norton ‘24 (Biology) – Dana has a passion for scientific research, and she has been engaged in a variety of research projects since coming to The Citadel. In my research laboratory, she has been investigating how fringing salt marshes capture microplastics and microscopic tire particles associated with nuisance floodwater in downtown Charleston to characterize pathways by which these particles go from street surfaces to our coastal waters. She has also been conducting laboratory-based experiments examining how temperature influences gut retention time in grass shrimp exposed to these particles.
Beyond research at The Citadel, Dana has continued to work as the Cyanobacteria Laboratory Director at Community Boating Inc., a local sailing center on the Charles River in Boston. In this role, Dana has created a citizen science water quality monitoring program for the Charles River that focuses on identifying cyanobacteria blooms during the sailing season. More recently, she has applied her newfound knowledge of microplastics to design a monitoring study for the Charles River collaborating with several universities and agencies in the Boston area.