Education
Aug. 2023 – May 2028
Doctor of Philosophy in Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
Focus: Marine Ecology – Biotic agents of eelgrass seed distribution and loss
Advisor: Dr. Joel Fodrie
Aug. 2019 – May 2029
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
University of South Carolina at Columbia, SC
South Carolina Honors College, summa cum laude
Research Experience
Feb. 2025 – Present
Community Ecology – Urchin grazing on eelgrass reproductive output
University of North Carolina (PI: Dr. Joel Fodrie)
- Employing mesocosm-based feeding assays to determine the strength of variegated sea urchin grazing on eelgrass reproductive output through seed consumption
June 2024 – Present
Community Ecology – Stingray bioturbation on eelgrass seed bank dynamics
University of North Carolina (PI: Dr. Joel Fodrie)
- Assessing the influence of stingray foraging on seed bank dynamics of eelgrass (Zostera marina), uncovering sources of seed loss and applying new knowledge to restoration practices
May 2024 – Present
Coastal Ecology – Oyster Persistence
University of North Carolina (PI: Dr. Joel Fodrie)
- Using satellite imagery and field observations to analyze relationships between constructed oyster reef persistence and hurricane intensity to improve oyster restoration strategies
May 2022 – May 2023
Parasite Ecology – Data Analyst
Honors Thesis, University of South Carolina (PI: Dr. Jeffry Dudycha)
- Assessed relationships between host sheltering behavior and parasitic infection, advancing behavioral research of Caribbean spiny lobsters and nemertean egg predators
Publications
Jkm Lazo-Murphy, B. M., Larson, S., Staines, S., Bruck, H., McHenry, J., Bourbonnais, A., & Peng, X. (22 December 2022). Nitrous oxide production and isotopologue composition by fungi isolated from salt marsh sediments. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9.
Professional Experience
Apr. 2025 – Present
Laboratory Manager
Joel Fodrie’s lab at UNC’s Institute of Marine Sciences
- Organize and maintain lab records, IACUC permits, and oversee EHS compliance
Aug. 2025 – Present
Graduate Assistant for UNC’s Office of Distinguished Scholarships
University of North Carolina Honors College
- Aid UNC students with a variety of competitive applications, from Fulbright to Hollings through one-on-one meetings and application reviews
May – Dec. 2025
EPA Documentation and Data Quality Assurance Plan
- Primary writer and revisor for detail-oriented document outlining project steps for eelgrass restoration; ensures data quality, integrity, and usability for decision-making
Awards & Honors
2025
J Charles Morrow Marine Science Award ($1000)
Brown Memorial Research Award ($3000)
Andrew Marion Blackmon Fellowship ($1000)
Gussenhoven Award for Outstanding Oral Presentation (April 2025 conference session)
2023
USC Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Research
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) – Honorable Mention
Presentations
Bruck, H., & Fodrie, J. (2025, November 9-13). Effects of stingray bioturbation on eelgrass (Zostera marina) seed density and distribution [Conference session]. 28th Biennial Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Conference, Richmond, VA.
Bruck, H., Fodrie, J. (2025, April 9). Stingray bioturbation as a potential key influence on eelgrass (Zostera marina) seed density and distribution [Conference session]. UNC’s Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences Symposium, Chapel Hill, NC. *received award for outstanding presentation
Bruck, H., Fodrie, J. (2025, April 1-4). Stingray bioturbation as a potential key influence on eelgrass (Zostera marina) seed density and distribution [Conference session]. 53rd Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting, Mobile, AL (oral).
Bruck, H., Baeza, A., Dudycha, J., Stephens, N., Baker, A., Jennings, L., Griffin, E., Ladd, M., & Behringer, D. (2023, April 26-29). Ecological exploration of egg parasitism of Panulirus argus by the nemertean worm Carcinonemertes conanobrieni [Poster presentation]. 51st Benthic Ecology Meeting, Miami, FL.
Bruck, H., Baeza, A., Dudycha, J., & Behringer, D. (2023, April 21). Questions, dead ends, and discovery: an ecological exploration of the Panulirus argus – Carcinonemertes conanobrieni symbiosis [Poster presentation]. Discover USC 2023 Symposium, Columbia, SC.
Bruck, H., Swanson, J., Richardson, T., & Dudycha, J. (2022, August 14-19). Effects of light color and phosphorus availability on absorption of natural phytoplankton communities [Poster presentation]. Ecological Society of America and Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution joint conference, Montreal, Canada.
Leadership & Service
Jan. 2025 – Present
Eelgrass Restoration in NC – Project Lead
University of North Carolina, EPA NEP Watersheds Grant: Restore America’s Estuaries
- Coordinate year-round logistics for 30-acreage eelgrass restoration in North Carolina’s estuaries
Sept. 2024 – Present
SciREN Coast – Co-Educator Coordinator
Scientific Research and Education Network, non-profit
- Organize and communicate event-based resources to educators, including lesson plans and avenues of communication between local scientists and classroom engagement
May 2025 – Present
Mentor for Undergraduate Research Fellow
University of North Carolina’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow Program
- Mentored a student throughout their 10-week internship exploring whether select invertebrate species eat seagrass seeds, potentially impacting seagrass reproduction
Oct. 2023 – Present
Mentor for or undergraduates applying to NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship
- Created and continue to lead this annual group to help undergraduates submit competitive applications for national scholarships and improve their essay writing skills
Aug. – Dec. 2025
Mentor for IMS Fall Field Site student
University of North Carolina’s Fall Field Site Program
- Mentored a student throughout their semester-long independent research exploring the size and impact of stingray bioturbation through feeding pits across a landscape mosaic
Skills
Field
Small craft boating (~80 hours)
AAUS Scientific Diver + Rescue Diver
Red Cross First Aid + CPR Certified
Stingray capture and husbandry
Laboratory
Chemical-based seed viability testing
Microscopy
Gas chromatography
IACUC & EHS documentation
General
Detail-oriented
Communication and collaboration
Creative avenues of STEM outreach
Heather Bruck 