Fox Cities News

Fourteen students and three faculty members from Lawrence University recently spent two weeks on the island of Bonaire, conducting field research on marine life as part of the Lawrence University Marine Program (LUMP). The group, led by Bart De Stasio ’82, Professor of Biological Sciences and Brian Piasecki, Associate Professor of Biology, traveled to the western shore of Bonaire to study fish and coral reef environments.

The LUMP has provided a hands-on undergraduate experience in marine biology every other year since 1978. Students spend time learning about coral reef ecosystems, ecology, and human effects on reef environments before embarking on a two-week research trip to the Caribbean.

In an unprecedented collaboration between the marine program and the Conservatory of Music, José Encarnación, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies joined the trip. Encarnación studied Bonaire's music while accompanying students on daily dives and ecosystem explorations. This led to a unique Memorial Chapel performance featuring the LU Jazz Band performing music related to the ocean and Bonaire’s Krioyo musical tradition.

De Stasio emphasized that Encarnación's participation allowed for a more holistic understanding of how coral reefs are integral to local societies. He stated: “We always try to make this trip more holistic. We want our students to understand how the coral reefs are really a part of the society that’s there."

Lawrence’s marine biology program is one among only seven such programs in the country. Many students choose Lawrence specifically for this program. Emma Moya, a sophomore biology major from Chicago called her experience in Bonaire "impactful" and said it solidified her plans to pursue marine biology as a career.

Bonaire is one of three islands off Venezuela's coast known as the ABC Islands. It replaced Grand Cayman as the destination for Marine Term trips in 2022 amid COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts.

The first week in Bonaire was dedicated to gathering data on fish and coral diversity at seven sites. During the second week, students worked on research projects of their own design. A disease outbreak affecting hard corals in the region added urgency to the research.

When not diving, the group explored Bonaire's cultural heritage, including local music that caught Encarnación's attention. He described it as "beautiful, happy, and exciting musical traditions."

LUMP is an extension of other marine-related study in Lawrence’s Biology Department. Over the past four decades, nearly 350 Lawrence students have participated in the marine program.