Research Assistant & Doctoral Student
Marine Science

Fellowships & Grants:
NSF Bridge to the Doctorate

Education:
BS Coastal Marine Biology, UPR-Humacao
MS Marine Biology, NSU Oceanographic Center

Research Interests:
Research work incorporates the use of remote sensing to determine sediment movement from a whole watershed approach. Study areas include Hillsborough River, Tampa, El Verde, Puerto Rico and Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.

Research Topics:
Remote sensing & radiogeochemistry

Advisors:
Ashanti Pyrtle, PhD
Barnali Dixon, PhD

Selected Publications:
Hernández-Cruz, L. R., Purkis, S., and B. Riegl. 2006. Documenting decadal spatial changes in benthic cover and seagrass by analysis of aerial photography in Bahía Salina del Sur, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico: 1937-2000. Bulletin of Marine Science, 79(2): 401-414. (PDF)

Brock, J.C., C.W. Wright, I.B. Kuffner, R. Hernandez, and P. Thompson. 2006. Airborne lidar sensing of massive stony coral colonies on patch reefs in the northern Florida reef tract. Remote Sensing of Environment, 104:31-42. (PDF)

Contact Information:
lhernandez-cruz@marine.usf.edu