Christina M.

Salerno – CV March 2023

Christina M. Salerno
PhD Candidate
[email protected] | [email protected]

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Marine Biology 08/2018 – present

University of North Carolina Wilmington Anticipated: 12/2023
Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Kamel
Dissertation Title: Context-dependent effects of intraspecific trait variation in a marsh ecosystem predator-prey
interaction

B.S. Marine Biology 08/2013 – 05/2017

University of North Carolina Wilmington
Marine Biology Departmental Honors

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Ph.D. Dissertation, Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Kamel 08/2018 – present

Department of Biology & Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington

• Explores various aspects of personality in marsh periwinkle snail (Littoraria irrorata), including
identifying behavioral types, plasticity, and predictability.
• Design and conducted six experiments, both in the laboratory and the field, to explore the patterns,
causes, and consequences of individuality within this species.
• Employs a variety of techniques, including behavioral ecology experiments, parasitology, mark and
recapture, and predator-prey experiments in mesocosms.
• Performs Frequentist and Bayesian mixed models using RStudio to conduct statistical analyses.
• Maintains seawater system and all study organisms.
• Disseminates findings to varied audiences through oral and poster presentations, scientific publications ,
and outreach events.
• Mentors undergraduate research students in the UNCW Marine Evolutionary Ecology Lab.

Research Technician 06/2017 – 06/2018

Department of Biology & Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington

• Conducted DNA extractions, PCR, and fragment analysis of two species of seagrasses (eelgrass, Zostera
marina, and shoal grass, Halodule wrightii) to examine relatedness among populations.
• Assisted in daily tasks of culturing Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and conducted larval counts,
spat settlement counts, and juvenile oyster measurements.
Christina M. Salerno – CV March 2023

Undergraduate Honors Thesis, Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Kamel 08/2016 – 05/2017

Department of Biology & Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington

• Designed and conducted a study assessing individual variation in predator escape behaviors of marsh
periwinkle snails and established personality types using outdoor mesocosms.
• Disseminated findings to varied audiences through oral and poster presentations.

Gastropod Behavioral Ecology Research 06/2016 – 07/2016

SURCA Grant, Department of Biology & Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington

• Conducted a series of laboratory experiments exploring the intraspecific variation and size mediated
escape behaviors of zebra and marsh periwinkle snails.
Coral Reef Fish Ecology Field Work 04/2016
James Cook University, Orpheus Island, Australia

• Collected data about the behavioral ecology of coral reef fishes while snorkeling using multiple methods
with transects.
• Supported extensive identification of coral reef fish species based on morphometric, meristic, and visual
characteristics with the aid of guides.

Directed Independent Study Lab Research 01/2015 – 05/2015

Research Volunteer 01/2014 – 05/2014
Department of Biology & Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington

• Performed DNA extractions and PCR analyses to investigate the genetic connectivity of Eastern Oysters
in a series of NC marine reserves.
• Developed various protocols, including PCR protocols.

Marine Biology and Ecology Research Trip, Cuba 05/2014

Department of Biology & Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington

• Collected sand cores, obtained beach profiles, and recorded biodiversity of seagrasses and corals in
Cuba as part of a UNCW honors course.
• Integrated Cuban history, politics, and science in a culturally sensitive manner while disseminating
findings to a varied audience through an oral presentation.

PUBLICATIONS

In press:
• Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. (2023). Behavioural type, plasticity, and predictability are linked to shell
shape in a marsh ecosystem predator-prey interaction. Animal Behaviour, 195, 67-75.
Christina M. Salerno – CV March 2023

• Salerno, C. M., Buck, J. C., Kamel, S. J. (2023). Predation amplifies the effects of parasite infection on
the personality of a keystone grazer. Journal of Animal Ecology.

In revision:
*Denotes equal contribution

• *Salerno, C. M., *Williams, R.C., Kamel, S. J. The company you keep: individual survival is dictated
by group personality composition in a marsh ecosystem predator-prey interaction. Behavioral Ecology.

In preparation:
• Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. Geographic variation in the personality of Littoraria irrorata.
• Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. Personality persists across social contexts in the keystone grazer Littoraria
irrorata.
• Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. The effects of personality and group composition on survival in a
mesocosm in the keystone grazer Littoraria irrorata.
• Polk, M. A., Salerno, C. M., Beachman, K. A., Gittman, R., Kamel, S. J., Eulie, D. O. Marsh periwinkle
(Littoraria irrorata) densities are supported at living shorelines.

• Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. Differential survival by personality of Littoraria irrorata in the field.

TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP

Teaching
Instructor of Record: BIO 495 Senior Capstone: Animal Personality (2 semesters)
Teaching Assistant: BIO 105 Lab: Concepts of Modern Biology (10 semesters)

Mentorship:
Undergraduate: Savannah Simpson (Honors thesis, 2022), Randy Taylor (REU, 2022), Marissa Garrow
(2021-2022), Makayla Depinto (2021), Daniel Jiang (2021), Haley Idol (2021), Anthony
Grillo (2019-2021), Ryan Weide (2020), Natasha Alex-Sanders (2019), Shea Grady
(2019), Milly Cotton (2019), Rosa Vargas (2019), Zoey Kramer-Patterson (2019),
Margaret Hallmets (2019), Deena Wykle (2019)
Christina M. Salerno – CV March 2023

SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, AND GRANTS

*Denotes awarded as an undergraduate

• Ruth D. Turner Scholarship in Marine Biology - $6,480.20 2022

• Graduate School Summer Research Stipend - $3,858 2022
• Nominated for the Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Award 2022
• Graduate School Travel Grant - $1,000 2022
• BioGSA Travel Grant- $300 2022
• GSA Travel Grant- $250 2022
• Judith C. Bryan Holden Beach Turtle Watch Fellowship - $5,000 2021
• UNCW Summer Research Stipend - $2,200 2020
• UNCW Summer Research Stipend - $2,090 2019
• Graduate School Travel Grant - $1,000 2019
• BioGSA Travel Grant- $300 2019
• GSA Travel Grant - $200 2019
• UNCW Owen Graham Keenan Scholarship - Merit-based full ride 2018 – 2020
• UNCW CSURF Travel Grant* - $1,000 2017
• UNCW ETEAL SURCA Grant* - $1,200 2016
• UNCW CSURF Research Supplies Grant* - $150 2015

PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS

Oral:

Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. Predation amplifies the effects of parasite infection on the personality of a
keystone grazer. NC Coastal Conference, Raleigh, NC, November 2022.

Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. Consistency, predictability, and plasticity: how behavior varies with shell shape
and environmental context in a marsh ecosystem predator-prey interaction. Benthic Ecology Meeting,
Portsmouth, NH, March 2022.

Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. How individual trait variation influences predator-prey interactions in a marsh
ecosystem: personality in the marsh periwinkle, Littoraria irrorata. Ph.D. Prospectus Seminar, Wilmington,
NC, November 2020.

Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. Distinct personality types in Littoraria irrorata and the implications for predator
escape behavior. Undergraduate Honors Thesis Defense, Wilmington, NC, April 2017.

Poster:

Simpson, S. K., Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. Characterizing the behavior of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus.
NC Coastal Conference, Raleigh, NC, November 2022.
Christina M. Salerno – CV March 2023

Taylor, R. A., Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. Aggregation behavior in a keystone grazer, Littoraria irrorata.
REU Summer Research Presentation, Center for Marine Science, Wilmington, NC, July 2022.

Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. The implications of geographic location and size on Littoraria irrorata personality
types. Ecological Society of America, Virtual, August 2020.

Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. Distinct personality types in Littoraria irrorata and the implications for predator
escape behavior
• Benthic Ecology Meeting, St. Johns, Canada, April 2019
• SEERS Meeting, Wilmington, NC, March 2019
• Benthic Ecology Meeting, Myrtle Beach, SC, April 2017
• UNCW Spring Showcase of Student Research and Creativity, March 2017

Salerno, C. M., Kamel, S. J. Intraspecific variation in the predator avoidance response of two Littorinid
gastropods. UNCW Fall Showcase of Student Research and Creativity, November 2016.

SERVICE AND OUTREACH:

UNCW Department of Biology and Marine Biology Science Access, iNclusion, and Diversity (SAND)
Committee, Sub-committee Member 2022
Women in STEM, NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Representative 2022
UNCW MarineQuest, Invited Collaborator 2022
UNCW Department of Biology and Marine Biology Community Engagement course, Member 2021-Present
UNCW MarineQuest, Volunteer 2021-2022
Center for Marine Science Open House, Volunteer 2021
UNCW Biology Graduate Student Association, Representative 2020-2021
Virtual Town Hall, UNCW SAND Committee, Invited Panelist 2020
UNCW Biology Graduate Student Association, Officer 2019-2020
Middle School Science Fair Judge, Judge 2019-2020
Good Shepherd Center, Volunteer 2017-2018
UNCW International Students, Mentor 2016-2017
UNCW Study Abroad Programs, Ambassador 2016-2017
UNCW Honors College, Member 2013-2016
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Volunteer 2013-2014

RELEVANT EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

Evening Instructor, UNCW MarineQuest 06 – 07/2022

• Supervised 12 Oceans-17 students (age 17) in UNCW MarineQuest's research-based capstone program.
• Facilitated activities and discussions centered on marine science (e.g., species identification, scientific
diving, grant writing, and presentation skills).
• Mentored students about career paths in the sciences.
Christina M. Salerno – CV March 2023

Special Activities Instructor, NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher 03/2017 – 11/2019

• Led groups of children and adults in various informal educational programs through:
○ Indoor programs including guided tours of the aquarium, behind-the-scenes tours, and
educational presentations (e.g., animal encounters with marine invertebrates and reptiles while
adhering to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums guidelines)
○ Outdoor programs with guided tours to a local salt marsh where participants were engaged in
hands-on lectures, dip netting, and crabbing.

Kumon Learning Center, Various locations 05/2012 – 06/2018

• Tutored students (ages 5-16) in multiple levels of math and reading.
• Graded math and reading classwork.
• Organized documents and files, entered data, maintained online gradebooks, provided customer service
over the phone, and discussed progress with guardians.

SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Behavioral ecology experimental design • Seawater system design and maintenance

• Population genetics • Canva and Weebly for graphic/web design
• Molecular techniques • AZA Animal handling training
• RStudio, JMP, ArcMap • PADI Scuba Open Water (11/2013)
• Invertebrate husbandry • CPR certified (2022-2024)