People
Elizabeth Hamman
Dr. Hamman received her BA in Marine Biology/Applied Math from New College of Florida, and her Ph.D. from the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia. She completed postdocs in the Biology Departments of East Carolina University and Radford University, and the Math Department of Tulane University.
Generally, she's interested in how interactions between organisms generate spatial variation, particularly when one of the organisms forms biogenic habitat. She also enjoys thinking about predator-prey dynamics and statistical methods.
Undergraduate Researchers
St. Mary's Projects and SURF Students
Spring 2023
Adrianna Danvers: Variation in the density of Littoraria irrorata across St. Mary's County and consequences for grazing rates
Nolan Dorics: Modeling the predator-prey dynamics of ctenophores in their native range of the Chesapeake Bay. Winner of the Flores Award
Olivia Magaletta: Effects of illumination on dragonfly predation of mosquito larvae
Fall 2022
Rachel Becker: Effects of naproxen sodium on the survival, growth, and reproduction of a freshwater snail. Winner of the Excellence in Completion of a Student-Initiated St. Mary's Project Award
Jay Jensen: Asexuality and its place in theories on sexual orientation. Winner of the Excellence in a Literature-Based St. Mary's Project Award
Zane Krissoff: Winter stoneflies in St. Mary's County: Bioindicators of Chesapeake Watershed health
Shannon Welker: Grazing rates of Littoraria irrorata in the presence of blue crab predatory cues
Emily Wilkinson: Developing a NetLogo model of coral ecosystems: Investigating coral-associated fish and invertebrate population dynamics
Summer 2022
Nathaniel Richardson: Microplastics in Southern Maryland: Prevalence and effects on Littoraria irrorata grazing. SURF Fellow
Spring 2022
Zander Kramer: The Effect of Nicotine on Acetylcholinesterase Content and Activity: Investigating the Role of Acetylcholinesterase in Nicotine Withdrawal. Winner of the Flores Award
Nolan, Cicely, and Shannon pose in the perfectly named playground at Point Lookout State Park after sampling a nearby marsh (Summer 2022)
Directed Research & Field Assistants
Cicely Clark, Charlotte Horn, and Madelyn Clemmer (Spring 2023): Response of Galaxea coral to simulated predation
Shannon Welker (Spring and Summer 2022), Cicely Clark and Nolan Dorics (Summer 2022): Oyster reef community assembly and variation in Littoraria irrorata density in Southern Maryland
Kira Wisner (Fall 2022): Improving the design of cages for sampling oyster reef communities
Jack Eskay (Fall 2022 & Spring 2023): Designing and maintaining coral aquaria