Meet the RGL team

Principal Investigator

Dr. Wokil Bam

Chemical Oceanographer · Assistant Professor, USM

Dr. Bam is an oceanographer with expertise in chemical oceanography, marine biogeochemistry, and field-based research. His academic background and hands-on experience in oceanographic fieldwork, advanced analytical techniques, and environmental monitoring have contributed to a deep understanding of the biogeochemical processes that regulate oceanic carbon cycles. He continues to conduct research that advances our understanding of ocean-climate interactions, carbon sequestration, and biogeochemical feedback mechanisms in marine ecosystems.

He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Oceanography from Louisiana State University in 2021.

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Graduate researcher

Devin Schneider

M.S. Student in Marine Science · Joined Fall 2025

Devin is a prospective marine biogeochemist interested in climate change, radioisotopes, and groundwater interactions. He completed his undergraduate Marine Science degree at USM in May 2025.

He is developing field and analytical skills while contributing to marine biogeochemistry research.

Graduate researcher

Sumit Sarker

PhD. Student in Marine Science · Joined Fall 2026

Sumit’s research focuses on marine biogeochemistry, with an emphasis on particle dynamics and their role in ocean carbon cycling.

Undergraduate researcher

Olivia Fox

B.S. in Oceanography and Ocean Mapping (Summer 2026)

Olivia Fox is an undergraduate student at the University of Southern Mississippi pursuing a B.S. in Oceanography and Ocean-Mapping. Her research interests include marine and coastal processes, oceanographic data collection and analysis, and hydrographic data surveying. Her current research explores the distribution of dissolved inorganic carbon and water isotopes in coastal sediments, providing experience in applying geochemical approaches to better understand marine environments.

UnderGraduate researcher

Sydney Blackmon

B.S in Marine Biology (Summer 2026)

Sydney Blackmon is from Madison, Mississippi, and she is a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is currently majoring in marine biology and her research interests include marine genetics and ocean conservation.