About Us

About Us

The Shellfish Aquaculture Research and Extension Program is a university-based program that supports integrated research, education and extension to develop, sustain, and enhance economic opportunities for the shellfish aquaculture industry in Florida.

We are an integral part of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida, one of the nation’s leading Land Grant universities. The mission of IFAS, a federal-state-county partnership, is to develop the knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and life sciences, and enhance and sustain the quality of human life by making that information accessible.

We tap into the expertise of scientists of various disciplines located at the university’s 20 departments and schools. Our statewide specialists lead highly relevant programs including seafood safety, aquaculture economics and business management, invertebrate physiology and ecology, shellfish reproduction, soil and water sciences, and more. Our extension, education and outreach programs are done in partnership with UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Sea Grant and coastal counties of Florida.

Cedar Key Field Office

Leslie Sturmer
Shellfish Aquaculture
lnst@ufl.edu

Natalie Simon
Biological Scientist
nsimon921@ufl.edu

Reggie Markham
Farm Manager
reggie.markham@ufl.edu

On Campus Departments

Shirley Baker
Bivalve Ecology and Physiology
sbaker25@ufl.edu

Andrew Kane
Aquatic Pathology and Toxicology
Kane@ufl.edu

Todd Osborne
Aquatic and Soil Biogeochemistry
osbornet@ufl.edu

Edward Phlips
Algal Physiology and Ecology
phlips@ufl.edu

Andrew Ropicki
Marine Economics and Business Mgmt
aropicki@ufl.edu

Ashley Smyth
Soil and Water Sciences
ashley.smyth@ufl.edu

Huiping Yang
Mollusk Aquaculture and Restoration
huipingyang@ufl.edu

Sea Grant Agents

Angela Collins
Manatee, Hillsborough and Sarasota Counties
abcollins@ufl.edu

Erik Lovestrand
Franklin County Extension Director,
Regional Specialized
elovestrand@ufl.edu