About Me: Geographic Information Systems GIS5050 Introduction

 Hello all!

My name is Dixie Lauderdale, I am a first year graduate student in the Biology Department. My current research focuses on the microbiomes of historic shipwrecks sites in Pensacola Florida and surrounding waterways. I completed two bachelors at the University of West Florida, one in Maritime Studies and the other in Marine Biology. So it is safe to say my interests lie in history and the underwater world. I am also a PADI Assistant Scuba Instructor and hope to become a full Open Water Instructor by the end of this fall. With this particular career path I understand that a comprehensive knowledge of  geographic locations are essential in studying and learning all we can from the area of interest. This drove me into pursuing the GIS graduate certificate alongside my Masters in Biology.

If I am not underwater or on a boat somewhere, you can typically find me at a library or bookstore trying to find my next great read. 

 I cannot wait to see what this semester has in store because I have a great feeling about this year!