Hi! I’m Dr. Emily Rose Lancaster, an Assistant Professor of Marine Biology at Eckerd College and leader of the Lancaster Invert Team (LIT) Lab. My research focuses on invertebrate zoology, molecular biology, and environmental DNA (eDNA), with a particular interest in how invasive marine invertebrates interact with their environments. I use a combination of physiological studies and molecular techniques to better understand and detect these species, especially in dynamic coastal systems like tide pools, docks, and seagrass meadows.

I earned my Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the University of Maine in 2024, after completing an M.S. in Marine Science at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and a B.S. in Biology from Pepperdine University. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to mentor students, collaborate across institutions, and contribute to projects ranging from thermal tolerance in crabs to genomic priorities for invasive species. My first teaching experiences occurred in environmental education with K-12 students, getting low income students to the beach. During my Ph.D. I taught biology for non-majors and learned a lot about the power of enthusiasm and examples to get non-scientists as hyped about the natural world as I am. Each of these experiences molded me as an educator and every semester I continue to grow with my students.

I’m passionate about making science accessible, mentoring early-career researchers, and building tools, like single species eDNA assays, that help track ecological change in real time.

You'll more likely find me in the classroom than in the lab, but I love it. I teach Marine Invertebrate Biology and Biological Oceanography and am designing a molecular methods course. My classroom is a fun and engaging space where students learn, laugh, and open their eyes to a wider world.