John Jaeger North Babylon Environmental Researcher has acted as a Mentor for various Research Projects in STEM. Most notably, Jaeger mentored researchers for the Shellfish Hatchery in Mount Sinai Harbor, analysis of Soil Invertebrates of Pine Barrens and the Protein Challenge.
DNA Barcoding: Soil Invertebrates of Pine Barrens
During the 2023 — 2024 academic year, John Jaeger North Babylon Environmental Researcher made significant contributions to the independent research of Soil Invertebrates. This STEM outreach and research initiative was part of a program facilitated by DNA Barcoding 101. As Mentor, John Jaeger was tasked with overseeing the analysis of the effects of Southern Pine Beetles on Soil Invertebrate Diversity. The research project specifically took a look at LI Pine Barrens. In conclusion, the research determined that through use of methods and techniques to mitigate the damaging impact of Southern Pine Beetles on the LI Pine Barrens, the soil diversity of these locations can be effectively preserved.
Shellfish Hatchery in Mount Sinai Harbor
Independent Environmental Researcher and STEM Outreach Mentor John Jaeger North Babylon made significant research contributions to the Shellfish Hatchery in Mount Sinai Harbor. The Mariculture Facility has acted as an impactful center for various research initiatives. John Jaeger’s mentoring of the Shellfish Mariculture Program on Aquaculture Techniques resulted in being awarded grants that led to the expansion of the Shellfish Hatchery in 2018 and 2019. These significant upgrades included culture equipment and systems yielding 12 million hard clam seeds and 3 million oysters. Prior to expansion from the awarded grants, the Shellfish Hatchery and Mariculture Facility grew approximately 1.5 million oysters and more than one-million clams per year. The intentional research reserves the shellfish for not-for-profit partners who place oyster spat in various areas to improve water quality as natural spawner sanctuaries. Jaeger’s work as a Mentor helped facilitate major improvements on the Hatchery.