LaTina M. Steele, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Office Location
Biology
Science Ctr of Academic Bldg 234V
Dr. Steele is a marine and aquatic ecologist whose research focuses on vegetated habitats like salt marshes, seagrass meadows, and submerged aquatic vegetation. Her research program explores processes that determine how marine and aquatic plants interact with herbivores and pathogens, how these plants and associated animal communities respond to stressors, and efforts that may aid recovery of marine and aquatic vegetation. She is particularly interested in chemical ecology and plant-invertebrate interactions.
Degrees & Certifications
- Ph.D. in Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL (2010)
- BS in Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL (2004)
Teaching Responsibilities
- BI 104/258 Experiences in Coastal Ecology (Dingle)
- BI 202/204 Ecology and Evolution Lecture and Laboratory
- BI 203 Genetics and Evolution Laboratory
- BI 240/241 Invertebrate Biology Lecture and Laboratory
- BI 304 Nature's Weird Wicked Ways
- BI 333 Chemical Ecology Lecture and Lab
- BI 390 Supervised Research
- BI 399 Senior Seminar
Awards & Fellowships
- Cultivating Excellence in Lecture and Lab Award, Sacred Heart University Biology Department (2015, 2016)
- Sacred Heart University Faculty Award for Academic Merit and Accomplishment (2013, 2014)
- Sacred Heart University Presidential Seminar (2013-2014) $5,000
- Best Student Oral Presentation, Benthic Ecology Meeting (2010)
- Alabama Center for Estuarine Studies (ACES) Graduate Fellowship (2008-2009) $19,000
- University of South Alabama Doctoral Fellowship (2004-2007) $50,000
- Rawls Award from University of South Alabama Biology Department (2004)
Research & Grants
Dr. Steele’s research interests include marine community ecology, aquatic/marine plant chemical ecology, invasive plant ecology, and coastal habitat restoration. Her specific research areas include:
- Role of chemical and plant-herbivore interactions in determining invasion success of non-native aquatic plants
- Effects of invasive species on aquatic and marine communities
- Factors that can limit the spread of invasive species in marine and aquatic environments
- Techniques to assess restored salt marsh structure and function
- Distribution of algal and meiofaunal communities within salt marshes
- Role of phenolic compounds as inducible chemical defenses against herbivory and pathogenic infection in seagrasses and salt marsh grasses
- Interactions between disease and herbivory in marine plants
- How changes in land use affect aquatic invertebrate and marine algal communities along the Dingle Peninsula (Ireland)
- Interactions between human and natural systems along the Dingle Peninsula (Ireland)
- Factors that influence growth of fragmented corals
Externally Funded Grants
- 2025-2027: Crosby S.C., Hughes A.R., Spiller N., Steele L., Matthias J., Bowens J.L. Connecticut Sea Grant Long Island Sound Study. Impact of adaptive management and assisted migration on salt marsh restoration health and resilience. $454,415
- 2023-2025: Steele L., Kasinak J., Stoehr A. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Long Island Sound Futures Fund. Nature-based solutions for protection, resiliency, and wildlife within the Housatonic River Estuary, Stratford, Connecticut. $145,028
- 2023-2025: Crosby S.C., Hughes A.R., Kollars N., Spiller N., Steele L. Connecticut Sea Grant Long Island Sound Study. Assessing the impacts of warming and planting strategy on the resilience of restored salt marshes to improve restoration efficacy. $353,096
- 2020-2022: Mattei J., Steele L., Kasinak J. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Long Island Sound Futures Fund. Planning for a “Nature Based” Living Shoreline at the Mouth of the Housatonic River (CT). $65,080
- 2019-2021: Mattei J, Steele L, Kasinak J. Corteva AgriScience, a division of Dow-DuPont Corporation. Monitoring and Management of Living Shoreline at Stratford Point, Stratford, CT. $121,633
- 2016-2018: Mattei J, Steele L, Kasinak J. United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Audubon Connecticut In-Lieu Fee Program. Stratford Point Living Shoreline: Restoring Coastal Habitats to Maintain Resiliency and Function. $250,000
- 2016: Mattei J, Steele L, Kasinak J. Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) Matching Funds Program. Stratford Point Living Shoreline: Restoring Coastal Habitats to Maintain Resiliency and Function. $91,000
- 2014-2016: Steele L, Guidone M. USGS/Connecticut Institute of Water Resources 104B Grant. Mitigating Eurasian watermilfoil invasion success and ecosystem impact using native herbivores. $18,265
- 2014-2016: Mattei J, Rapaglia J, Beekey M, Steele L. DuPont Corporation. Abiotic and biotic assessment of Stratford Point. $61,686
- 2013: Mattei J, Beekey M, Rapaglia J, Guidone M, Steele L, Zemba A, Roach D. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Long Island Sound Futures Fund Planning Grant. Housatonic River estuarine ecosystem restoration project, Stratford Point, CT. $59,056
Intramural Funding
- 2017-2018: Beekey M, Roney J, Steele L. Sacred Heart University College of Arts & Sciences Interdisciplinary Faculty Research Grant. Historical Analysis of Commercial Fisheries around the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland. 2 credits of release time per person
- 2017-2018: Beekey M, Steele L, Bartholomew K, Pelle S. Sacred Heart University Research/Creativity Grant. Environmental assessment of the Dingle Peninsula. $5,700
- 2013-2014: Beekey M, Rapaglia J, Steele L. Sacred Heart University Academics for Creative Teaching Grant. From mountain to sea, understanding shifts in water quality and community dynamics through integrated hands on laboratory activities in Dingle, Ireland. $1,500
- 2013: Steele L. Sacred Heart University Research/Creativity Grant. Mitigating Eurasian watermilfoil invasion success and ecosystem impact using native herbivores. $4,105