Past Research

Prior to my Ph.D., I conducted interdisciplinary conservation research across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, integrating social science, ecology, and wildlife management to address complex environmental challenges. My work spanned topics such as endangered species monitoring, human–wildlife interactions, and marine resource governance.

Through collaborations with governmental agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions, I gained hands-on experience in survey design, stakeholder engagement, spatial analysis, and bioacoustics. These projects laid the groundwork for my current focus on coastal resilience and predictive modeling by honing both my technical skills and my commitment to actionable, science-based solutions.

Explore the sections below to learn more about these experiences!

Compliance, Engagement, and Marine Species Protection

Marine Wildlife Conservation and Stakeholder Engagement on the Alabama Coast

During my M.S. in Natural Resources at Auburn University, I led a suite of applied social science research projects focused on marine species conservation along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. In collaboration with NOAA, state agencies, and local partners, I designed and implemented large-scale surveys and stakeholder interviews to explore human–wildlife interactions and public engagement with conservation policy.

My research examined topics such as compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, support for sea turtle-safe fishing practices, and community awareness of beach lighting regulations. We analyzed over 1,200 survey responses and conducted 60+ in-depth interviews with anglers, tour operators, and coastal residents to generate actionable insights for improving conservation outcomes and regulatory communication.

This work produced multiple publications (with several under review) and contributed to the evidence base for sustainable wildlife tourism and marine policy in the Gulf of Mexico. It also honed my skills in survey design, mixed-methods analysis, stakeholder engagement, and science communication—laying the groundwork for my interdisciplinary Ph.D. research.

Publications

Henry, H., Olivas, T., Gumbleton, S., Beckham, N., Steury, T. D., Willoughby, J. R., & Dunning, K. (2025). Willingness of Recreational Anglers to Modify Hook and Bait Choices for Sea Turtle Conservation in Mobile Bay, Alabama, Gulf of Mexico. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 32(2), e12766. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12766

Transboundary Fisheries Research in the Gulf of Mexico

Harte Research Institute SWIMM: A U.S.–Mexico–Cuba Fisheries Initiative

As project lead for a multinational social science initiative spanning the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba, I developed and implemented bilingual survey tools to assess the economic value of recreational fisheries across the Gulf of Mexico. This effort involved building a shared database of valuation methodologies and standardizing data collection from diverse stakeholder groups—including anglers, guides, and policy officials—across international borders.

The project was conducted through the 7th Gulf of Mexico Student Workshop on International Marine Management (SWIMM) and co-organized with UMDI-Sisal at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). We launched with in-person sessions in Quintana Roo, Mexico, in May 2023, followed by year-long virtual collaboration and stakeholder outreach.

Data collection concluded in May 2024, and results are currently being analyzed. Findings will inform peer-reviewed publications focused on improving fisheries governance and supporting sustainable marine resource management throughout the Gulf region.

Presentations

[POSTER] Olmo L, Henry H, Coffill-Rivera M, Costa S, Gallardo JB, Peña GM, Islas FN, Castillo D, Hernández, LV and Besonen M. “Economic valuation of recreational fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico / Valoración económica de la pesca recreativa en el Golfo de México” 154th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Honolulu, Hawai’i, United States. September 2024.

Conservation Research on the Endangered St. Vincent Amazon Parrot

How can we develop effective monitoring strategies for the endangered St. Vincent Amazon Parrot?

As an NSF IRES Fellow, I worked with the Florida International University Tropical Conservation Institute, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Forestry Department, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to lead an interdisciplinary project assessing the endangered St. Vincent Amazon Parrot (Amazona guildingii). I designed and managed field and social science surveys to evaluate both population status and human-parrot interactions across the island.

This work involved processing over 150 stakeholder surveys for statistical analysis and co-developing the first passive acoustic monitoring protocol for the species. Using RavenPro software, I analyzed more than 12,000 audio recordings and helped train local staff in bioacoustic methods to support long-term, community-based monitoring efforts.

This work continues to inform conservation management strategies while supporting long-term, community-based capacity for biodiversity monitoring in the Eastern Caribbean.

Presentations

[POSTER] Casanova A, Sabol A, Henry H, and Gomes C. 2023. “Investigating Human-Parrot Conflicts: A Case Study for the St. Vincent Amazon Parrot” The 30th Wildlife Society Conference. Louisville, Kentucky, United States. November 2023.