By Dr. Kristin Drexler
Faculty Member, School of STEM
This fall, five University graduate students will join an interdisciplinary team of five professors to participate in the first-ever faculty-student collaborative field research experience in Costa Rica entitled “Sustainability Impacts on Natural Areas in Costa Rica: An Interdisciplinary Assessment.”
We will travel to Costa Rica and remain from November 13-20, 2026. During this trip, we plan to conduct exploratory field research, including:
- Rapid biodiversity assessments
- Land manager interviews
- Water quality measures
Also, we’ll identify potential future research areas, including capstone project sites, and assess the impact of field study on students and faculty members.
Five faculty research team members from the University’s School of STEM and Security and Global Studies are researching:
- Dr. Kristin Drexler, socio-ecological systems and sustainable agriculture
- Dr. Danny Welsch, water quality and nutrient pollution
- Dr. Kelly Reiss, energy flow systems and ecosystems services
- Dr. Suzanne Agan, human-wildlife interactions and biomonitoring
- Dr. Michelle Watts, environmental policies on water quality and protected areas
The faculty field research team. Image courtesy of Kristi Drexler.
This faculty research team (and student selection committee) is very excited about the number of high-quality research assistant applications we received. We would like to thank the 38 students who applied for this graduate field research experience!
The Costa Rica Trip Presents an Opportunity for Learning Beyond the Classroom
Co-curricular opportunities are very important for students at the University. I used to coordinate faculty-led study abroad courses and field research experiences for eight years for New Mexico State University. I have personally witnessed the transformational impact that both hands-on field research and travel abroad have on students. Also, these field experiences look great on a resume!
In their Costa Rica research assistant applications, each of the graduate students stated how they would benefit from this hands-on research experience, designed to complement their graduate academic path at the University. All applicants clearly articulated how this experience would benefit them personally, academically and professionally.
One of the things I’m most proud of at the University is when learning moves beyond the virtual classroom and into the real world. Opportunities like this reflect the best of what online higher education can be: meaningful mentorship, applied research, and experiences that stretch students academically and personally.” – Dr. Brian Freeland, Dean, School of STEM
The Selection Process to Find the Final Five Graduate Students
In March, we started advertising for students to apply to be volunteer research assistants in Costa Rica. Many applicants mentioned that they heard about this experience from an announcement posted in class by their professor. Some also saw the announcement on LinkedIn®.
The faculty selection committee spent two weeks reviewing the applications. During the review process, we selected semi-finalists, conducted Zoom interviews and used a scoring matrix by rank to determine the finalists.
We then met as a committee to discuss and make final decisions to select our five graduate research assistants and three alternates. This work was exceptionally difficult, due to the stellar quality of our applicants.
Originally, the research team planned to only take two graduate students. However, due to the overwhelming number of quality applicants, we had to see if more graduate students could go on this trip.
I first contacted our logistics and language provider, CPI-Costa Rica, to see if they could add more students to our reservations, which often isn’t possible due to lodging and transport limitations. However, CPI’s director Jonle Sedar and her staff accommodated us.
Then, Michelle and I asked the University’s Director of Research and Academic Excellence, Kelsey Hotaling, if her department could support more students with travel and program funding in Costa Rica. Kelsey and her staff provided that additional support.
We then spoke to Nerissa Custer and Leischen Kranick with the University’s Marketing Department. They were able to support our fifth student, who will also provide promotional material for the University.
Thank you for the major support of University Research Grants for funding this experience for both faculty and students. As a supplement to Research Grants, we would also like to thank the University’s Marketing Department for their support of a fifth student, as well as the School of STEM for funding the Spanish language and culture portions of this experience.
Meet Our Costa Rica Field Research Assistants
During our trip in November this year, our five research assistants will work alongside faculty members in the field. The students will help us conduct rapid assessments across four biomes:
- Cloud forest
- Volcano
- River/riparian
- Coastal zone
Julia Parsons, AMU, School of STEM
An Annapolis, Maryland native, Captain Julia (Joo) Parsons currently resides in Little Rock, Arkansas as an active-duty C-130J pilot. Julia previously studied at Anne Arundel Community College to gain an associate degree in chemistry before transferring to the University of Maryland, College Park. She earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and technology with a concentration in natural resource management.
Julia also worked as a park ranger on Kent Island and earned a commission in the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. She is currently working toward her master’s degree in environmental policy and management with a concentration in fish and wildlife management through American Military University.
Julia is ecstatic to have this opportunity to be a part of assisting in global conservation. She looks forward to getting up close and personal with new biomes and adding new species to her birding life list.
Christian Grostic, APU, School of STEM
Chris Grostic is from Cleveland, Ohio. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in environmental policy and management from American Public University and plans to complete it by December 2026. After earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics from Kalamazoo College, Chris was a lawyer for nearly two decades before deciding to transition his career back to environmental science and conservation.
Chris’ law degree is from the University of Michigan Law School. As a lawyer, Chris was most recently an assistant federal public defender, practicing federal criminal defense. Prior to that, he worked for a small law firm in white collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation and as a trial lawyer in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Chris is looking forward to putting into practice what he’s learned in the classroom. He says, “The University enable me to begin building my knowledge base for a new career path while I was still working.
“I’ve found various volunteer opportunities to gain practical skills alongside my coursework, but being a field research assistant promises to be an amazing chance to integrate what I’ve learned with real-world research. Costa Rica is such a celebrated place for biodiversity and conservation. I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to and learn from the entire research team.”
Elaine Bast, APU, School of STEM
Elaine Bast, from Canton, Ohio, received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Kent State University. At Kent State, she researched moth mouthpart morphology.
Elaine is currently halfway through her master’s in environmental policy and management at American Public University. She also works as an education and outreach coordinator for the Stark Soil and Water Conservation District.
Elaine is ecstatic about this opportunity to work alongside her professors and gain hands-on experience. She says, “Learning from a virtual platform has allowed me to work full time and continue my education, but it can also make developing specific, hands-on skill sets difficult. I am filled with gratitude to accept this opportunity.”
This experience will help propel Elaine’s professional and personal goals forward by helping her develop critical research skills necessary for her own future research questions and methodology. Additionally, investigating the connection between people, policy, water, wildlife, and more will transfer back to her own work within the conservation district.
Samuel Haydon, AMU, School of STEM
Sam Haydon lives in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and currently serves as an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force. Sam is a little over halfway through his master’s program in environmental policy and management with a concentration on environmental sustainability at American Military University.
Sam is incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica as a research assistant. He explains, “It will be an amazing experience to learn from the team, gain valuable field research experience and be immersed in the Costa Rican culture.”
This trip is Sam’s second field research experience. During his undergraduate program at Portland State, he participated in an ongoing study of aquatic insect populations in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest in Oregon. That research focused specifically on the effects of saltation on insect densities in streams.
In Costa Rica, Sam hopes to experience the culture and refine his Spanish language skills, as well as gain a better understanding of environmental work and the benefits it has. He feels that this field research will guide his future academic and professional endeavors and he wants to get involved with more projects like this trip in the future.
Nerrymiah Scipio, APU, School of Security and Global Studies
Nerrymiah (Nerry) Stephen Scipio is a Caribbean-born professional communicator, based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Raised in Trinidad and Tobago, his upbringing created a deep appreciation for natural environments, cultural diversity, and community-centered living.
He recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in strategic communications from American Public University. To further his studies, Nerrymiah is working on a Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at APU.
Nerry’s previous work has involved interviewing individuals, developing content based on real-world issues, and translating complex topics into clear, audience-centered messaging. These experiences have strengthened his ability to observe critically, ask meaningful questions, and synthesize information, skills that are directly transferable to field research environments.
Nerry is particularly interested in how storytelling and communication can support sustainability, environmental awareness, and global engagement. He is eager to contribute to and learn from field-based research that explores ecological systems and protected area practices.
Three Alternates Also Selected for Costa Rica Field Research
Our faculty research team also selected three students to serve as alternates if one or more of the research assistants are unable to make the trip.
Alternate #1: Jacqueline Clem, APU, School of STEM
Jacqueline Clem is a graduate student pursuing her master’s in environmental policy and management through American Public University. She earned her B.S. in Global Environmental Science with a focus in sustainability science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
During her undergraduate studies, she worked at a Hawaiian fishpond, where she focused on ecosystem restoration and oyster-based bioremediation. During this time, she developed strong interests in water quality, biodiversity conservation, and Indigenous knowledge.
Jacqueline’s work also included environmental education, community outreach, and supporting oyster restoration efforts in Pearl Harbor. Jacqueline also volunteered with Makiki WAI, assisting with invasive species removal and native plant restoration efforts in the Makiki Valley. In addition to her environmental work, she serves in the United States Army Reserve as an intelligence analyst and Environmental Compliance Officer for her unit.
Alternate #2: Nicholas Skorup, AMU, School of STEM
With over 20 years of experience in all-source intelligence analysis in the U.S. Navy, Nicholas specializes in trend and pattern analysis, geospatial tools, executive writing, and organizational leadership. During his time in the U.S. Navy, he traveled to 40 countries across five continents. Nicholas will retire from the Navy in 2027 and plans to transition to a career path in environmental science.
Nicholas has a bachelor’s degree in intelligence studies and a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from American Military University. Currently, he is taking courses for the fish and wildlife management graduate certificate at AMU.
Nicholas previously conducted sampling and water surveys. He has worked with several organizations, including:
- The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- Trout Unlimited Priority Waters
- The Izaak Walton League (Save Our Streams project)
Alternate #3: Alexis Wilks, AMU, School of STEM
Alexis is currently on active duty with the United States Marine Corps, where she has served for the past 10 years. She decided to pursue a master’s degree in environmental policy and management with a concentration on fish and wildlife management at AMU.
Alexis has always had a passion for nature and its preservation. This passion was developed at a young age during hunting, fishing, and camping trips with her father. Currently, her goal is to obtain work with fisheries and hatcheries that are working to restore, preserve, and maintain native freshwater species.
CREST: The Center for Research in Earth/Environmental Sustainability and Technology
All five faculty members conducting research in Costa Rica with the students are members of CREST: The Center for Research in Earth/Environmental Sustainability and Technology. Founded in early 2025, CREST currently consists of 16 professors in the Schools Security and Global Studies and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), including these departments in STEM:
- Environmental Science
- Space Studies and Earth Sciences
- Natural Sciences
If you’re a faculty member who’d like to join CREST – or if you’re a current APU or AMU student who’d like to participate – please contact CREST@apus.edu.
CREST hosts real-world experiences. For example, we recently hosted the first CREST Conference (“CREST Con”) on April 22, Earth Day. CREST Con was the first major initiative of CREST, and this research trip to Costa Rica is the second.
Based on the expressed need and interest for our students to participate in hands-on research, CREST faculty are motivated to create more field research opportunities next year and beyond.
Student Research Organizations
In addition to CREST, students and alumni can get involved in the University’s research efforts by joining any of these student organizations for free. Faculty are welcome as advisors to these groups:
- The Wildlife Society (TWS)
- Women in STEM (wSTEM)
- The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP)
- The Society for Advancement for Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
- Association of Women in Science (AWIS)
- The Research and Scholarship Team (RAST)
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About the Author
Dr. Kristin Drexler is a full-time faculty member in the Space Studies and Earth Sciences Department. She teaches geography, environmental science, earth and planetary sciences, and sustainability for the School of STEM.
Dr. Drexler holds a master’s degree in Latin American studies with an emphasis in natural resources management from Ohio University. She earned her Ph.D. in educational leadership at New Mexico State University with research in socioecological systems, sustainable agroecology, and community education.
Dr. Drexler earned the Undergraduate Excellence in Teaching Award for the School of STEM (2020) and the Dr. Wallace E. Boston Leadership Award (2021). She was also nominated for the Outstanding Faculty Scholarship and Research Award (2026). Dr. Drexler has conducted numerous community surveys in Belize and Guatemala regarding agroforestry, conservation, and sustainable agriculture; she was also co-investigator for a multi-year research study on COVID-19 impacts to Indigenous communities.
In the late 1990s, Dr. Drexler served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Belize; she co-founded Full Basket Belize, a 501(c)(3) and has served on its Board of Directors since 2005. She produced the award-winning short film Yochi and produced seven documentaries about wilderness for the U.S. Forest Service in 2024. She founded “Science Talks with Dr. Drexler and Friends” to assist science teachers during the pandemic. For the University, Drexler serves as a faculty advisor for wSTEM, AWIS and SACNAS student chapters.
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