Doctoral Student Cox ’21 Studying Coastlines at Risk

For 2021 University of the Ozarks graduate Divina Cox, the path to a Ph.D. began in the clear, shallow waters of The Bahamas. What started as childhood days spent snorkeling and exploring the coastline has evolved into a scholarly pursuit of coastal geomorphology, driven by a desire to understand how climate change and rising seas are reshaping the natural resources of her island home and coastlines across the Caribbean. Today, Cox is a second-year Ph.D. student in geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where her research examines how coastlines and coastal landforms are formed-and how they continue to evolve over time.

Cox, who earned a degree in environmental studies from Ozarks, is currently serving as a graduate research assistant on a project examining coastal dunes along the California coast. Her responsibilities include collecting and analyzing data related to dune restoration projects, building an inventory of dune restoration efforts across California, and examining the primary motivations behind these restoration initiatives. She is also currently involved in two publications: one analyzing the motivations behind dune restoration projects, and another focused on sea turtle nesting in the Florida Panhandle.

"Growing up in The Bahamas, I have always had a strong passion for the marine environment," Cox said. "Knowing the state of The Bahamas and how the effect that climate change and sea level rise plays on the country's natural resources, I wanted to understand more about how the coastline in The Bahamas is affected and expand that more to the other Caribbean countries. "

Cox earned a master's degree in environmental science from University of West Florida. She said her Ph.D. research centers on examining shoreline dynamics in The Bahamas.

"As part of this work, I have recently established CoastSnap stations on three beaches in The Bahamas," she said. "CoastSnap is a citizen science initiative that allows members of the public to contribute to scientific research by taking repeat photographs of the coastline from fixed locations and uploading them to an online platform. These images are then used to analyze how shorelines change over time."

Cox said that The Bahamas, considered a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), faces significant threats from climate change.

"This includes sea level rise and increased storm impacts that place beaches at risk," she said. "This research is critical for improving our understanding of shoreline dynamics in The Bahamas and informing strategies to enhance coastal resilience."

She plans to pursue a life-long career focused on protecting coastlines.

"In the future, I plan to expand my research on a broader regional scale throughout the Caribbean," she said. "My goal is to collaborate directly with these communities to better understand their coastlines and support efforts to protect them from the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. I chose this field because of my passion for coastal environments and my desire to produce applied research that directly supports vulnerable communities."

Cox attended U of O on a scholarship from The Bahamas' Ministry of Education.

"Being able to attend Ozarks on a scholarship played a major role in shaping who I am today," Cox said. "This opportunity allowed me to study in the United States, where I gained clarity on my academic and professional goals."

Cox took advantage of the University's LENS program to study a variety of disciplines, including minors in creative writing & thought and education.

"Through the LENS program at Ozarks, I became more open-minded, culturally aware, and developed a broader global perspective," she said. The program also provided me with numerous academic opportunities. Through my education minor, I had the chance to teach students about coastal science, and my creative writing minor strengthened my writing and communication skills. These experiences have been foundational to my development as a researcher and educator."

She is already working to assist her home country that has helped her through her academic journey.

"I plan to continue giving back to The Bahamas by visiting schools and speaking with students about the opportunities I have received and the pathways available through education and scholarships," Cox said. "I currently work, and will continue to work, with organizations and summer programs to engage with students about my research and academic journey. Additionally, through my CoastSnap research in The Bahamas, I actively involve local communities by encouraging public participation in data collection. This approach ensures that Bahamians are directly involved in the scientific work being conducted on their coastlines and helps build local awareness and capacity in coastal science."

Topics: Environmental Studies