Covel McDermot

Covel McDermot is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Delaware and a Minority SURGE Capacity in Disaster Food Security team leader on the St. Thomas Recovery Team in St. Thomas of the United States Virgin Islands. McDermot is a plant and soil scientist studying urbanization impacts on native red maple in forests spanning northern Newark, Delaware and northeastern Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. McDermot’s research integrates the combined impact of pre- and post-disasters and current environmental conditions on red maples in cities. He is interested in merging natural ecology study in disaster research to better understand contaminants movement and plant re-emergence after natural disasters.

McDermot has received an associate degree from the College of Agriculture, Science and Education in Natural Sciences, a bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies in general chemistry and food processing technology, and a master’s degree in plant science from Delaware State University. During his academic career McDermot has worked on several research projects leading to peer-reviewed publications. He spent six years in the teaching profession molding young minds at the Islington High School in Jamaica where he taught Biology, Integrated Science and Chemistry. He is currently exploring postdoc and job opportunities.