CSETAC 2025 Annual Meeting Recap
- Carolinas SETAC
- May 5
- 3 min read
The 2025 Carolinas SETAC Regional Chapter Annual Meeting was held on April 17th-19th in Charleston, South Carolina. More than 90 people were in attendance, with a large student presence. We welcomed researchers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Virginia to the Lowcountry!
The meeting began on Thursday afternoon with a short course in the salt marsh facilitated by Linda Rowe (SC Aquarium) and Morgan Treon (SC Sea Grant Consortium). Through an interactive ice-breaker, we learned about critters that live in the estuarine environment- including blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), periwinkle snails (Littorina littorea), and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops erebennus). Then, we quantified and removed litter from the park and recorded our data in the SC Aquarium’s Litter Journal (check out our entry here). We removed a total of 35 pounds of litter (1,198 items, 77% of which were plastic) from the salt marsh ecosystem of Brittlebank Park! This waterfront public space is right along the Ashley River, which opens into the Charleston Harbor. Thank you to all who participated in leaving a positive impact on the local environment!
Thursday evening, CSETAC members met for drinks and appetizers at Edmunds Oast Brewing Co. This was an informal social get-together, for friends and colleagues to reconnect and mingle with new members. A group also went to the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park to watch the Charleston RiverDogs win in baseball!
To start the meeting on Friday morning, Pete Key (CSETAC Past President) welcomed attendees to the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) facilities and thanked our meeting sponsors. Michele Harmon (SNA Board Member, CSETAC Treasurer) gave a heartfelt update from the SETAC North America Board of Directors. Students discussed how to get involved as a CSETAC Student Representative and/or member of the North America Student Advisory Council (NASAC).
Dr. Austin Gray (Virginia Tech) gave an inspirational plenary talk regarding the similarities between ecotoxicology and ecosystem ecology. His talk walked us down the divergent path of these fields, while emphasizing their inherent connections throughout history. As we build upon our understanding about contaminants as agents of global change and look to the future, Dr. Gray encouraged members to remain nimble, responsive, and collaborative.
This opening was followed by a full day of platform presentations by students and professionals- with fantastic talks all around! The sessions covered topics including animal models, ecotoxicology, emerging contaminants (such as PFAS and microplastics), and fate of chemicals in the environment. Plenty of scheduled breaks allowed for additional discussions and professional networking.
Networking continued during the Friday dinner social at the Charles Towne Fermentory, featuring local brews and food by Roti Rolls!
Saturday morning kicked off with a packed poster social in the SCDNR Outdoor Classroom, with beautiful views of the marsh and harbor. The meeting wrapped up with a brief CSETAC business meeting and announcement of our best graduate and undergraduate student presentation awards.
Congratulations to our student presentation award winners!
Graduate Student Platform Presentations:
1st Place: Maggie Pipkin (Appalachian State University)
2nd Place: Gabrielle Jones (College of Charleston)
3rd Place: Beija Gore (Virginia Tech)
Undergraduate Student Poster Presentations:
1st Place: Allison Montgomery (Virginia Tech)
2nd Place: Aaliyah Moser, Aleisha Whipple, Duck Duckworth (Appalachian State University group)
3rd Place: Henry Langford (College of Charleston)
Graduate Student Poster Presentations:
1st Place: Zachary Padgett (Clemson University)
2nd Place (tie): Emma Hepworth (North Carolina State University) and Jeantel Cheramy (University of Florida)
We would like to thank our Past-President, Pete Key for putting together this annual meeting. Big thanks also to our Communication Committee members Jessica Wenclawiak and Bonnie Ertel for meeting messaging; our Student Representatives Lola Renauer and Gabby Jones for meeting logistics; our Secretary Bob Swarthout for organizing student judging; and Katy Chung for meeting planning and photography. Lastly, thank you to our presentation judges, question askers, and engaged attendees!
Please share any group photos so we can add them to the above carousel!
As of the conclusion of this meeting, Elizabeth Medlock Kakaley (US EPA), is now the Past-President and Lisa Manglass (Francis Marion University) is now the President of Carolinas SETAC. Our 2026 CSETAC Annual Meeting will be held next spring in North Carolina. We look forward to seeing everyone again then, if not at the SETAC North America Annual Meeting in Portland this November!
We are now seeking nominations for Board Members and Student Representatives (SC and NC). Please contact us to learn how you can volunteer for these positions within CSETAC.
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