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Below, you’ll find my current research on ospreys, as well as a record of previous projects in pedagogy and environmental endocrinology.
Below, you’ll find my current research on ospreys, as well as a record of previous projects in pedagogy and environmental endocrinology.
Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus)
Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus)
Background
Background
The osprey is a widely admired and globally distributed raptor. Despite their versatility in nesting structures and fish prey and co-existence with humans, the widespread use of DDT and other pesticides in the mid-20th century pushed the species to the brink of extinction by the 1970s, reducing the population from New Jersey (NJ) to Massachusetts by 90%.1 In response to these dramatic losses, extensive conservation efforts were launched, including bans on pesticides, construction of nesting platforms, and implementation of protective measures like buffer zones that excluded disturbance around breeding sites. Remarkably, the populations on the east coast of North America and others around the world have recovered to pre-DDT population sizes, sometimes even surpassing them. Today, this charismatic species is a common sight in South Jersey, a testament to the success of conservation programs and environmental regulations.
While significant progress has been made in recovering osprey populations (current conservation status of ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN/BirdLife International), they are not ‘out of the woods’ yet. Productivity rates in NJ and surrounding states have declined in recent years, often below the rates needed to maintain a stable population (i.e., 1.1 chicks per nest).2 In 2023, the lowest productivity rates were witnessed in Stockton’s backyard, the Mullica River, Great Bay, and Atlantic City region (0.59 chicks per nest). According to the data my students and I collected in our 2025 pilot study, the productivity at our Great Bay/Mullica River site was 0.82 chicks per nest. Despite these concerning productivity declines, in January 2025, NJ delisted the osprey from its Endangered and Nongame Species Program, eliminating the protective measures such as buffer zones that have guarded the breeding sites of this species since 1974. Without mandatory exclusion of human activity from osprey nesting sites, construction projects could encroach on osprey territories. Ospreys face reduced protection federally, as environmental agencies and the policies they enforce are weakened. Finally, they compete for key fish prey with commercial fisheries and other piscivorous predators, and face environmental stressors like extreme weather linked to climate change. At this tenuous time in the history of ospreys, it is critical to understand the relative impacts of the factors influencing this vulnerable species. My research will provide valuable insight into the ongoing management and advocacy for the protection of this species and the ecosystems in which it lives.
1. Poole. Ospreys: The Revival of a Global Raptor. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins U. Press, Baltimore, MD, USA; 2019.
2. Wurst & Clark. NJ DEP. https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/njfw/osprey-report-2023.pdf
Question 1: How does food stress impact breeding performance?
A critical aspect of this research is to determine whether hunger, driven by insufficient provisioning, is a major determinant of osprey breeding performance. In the Mid-Atlantic region, Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) have comprised most of the osprey diet during the breeding season (65-75%).1 Fluctuations in this commercially valuable fish are strongly linked to osprey breeding performance in a nearby population in the Chesapeake Bay,2 suggesting that the availability of menhaden may influence NJ ospreys, as well. When the preferred prey species is scarce, a male breeding osprey—who is solely responsible for delivering food to his mate and young—spends more time hunting (expending more energy for a lower pay-off to his dependents) and/or switches to less optimal species requiring more fish prey deliveries to the nest than would be needed to provide the same energy and nutrient content as more optimal prey. Consequently, delivery of food to the chicks (i.e., nest provisioning) has been shown to drop below their metabolic needs, and older siblings aggressively monopolize the available food.3 In this way, food stress leads to a significant loss of chicks and a marked reduction in productivity.
Question 2: What is the impact of weather on timing of clutch initiation and breeding performance?
Climate change alters weather patterns and leads to more extreme weather events (e.g., hurricanes). Ospreys may be vulnerable to the effects of climate change in the timing/success of their migration, as well as throughout their breeding season as the weather disrupts their hunting and can stress their young. In this research, we explore the effects of extreme weather events and when they initiate their nests. Earlier nesting is associated with greater chances of reproductive success in many avian species, including ospreys.4 Earlier in the season, ospreys may take advantage of reduced nest competition with other species and abundant migratory fish prey returning to coastal areas. The young of earlier nests mature before the intense summer heat and storms, and have more time to transition to independence (e.g., hunting on their own) before their autumn migration.
1. Wurst & Clark. NJ DEP. https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/njfw/osprey-report-2023.pdf
2. Watts et al. 2023. Front. Mar. Sci. 10: 1284462.
3. Machmer & Ydenberg. 1998. Can J Zool. 76:181–186
4. Steeger & Ydenberg. 1993. Can J Zool. 71(11): 2141–2146.
Stockton Students:
If you're interested in joining this project, you should introduce yourself to me via email (melanie.schroer@stockton.edu), including your major, anticipated graduation date, and career interests.
Publications and Presentations
Publications and Presentations
Schroer, M.; Genovese, A.; Anderson,T.; Hawkins, B.; Sharma, T.; Reynolds, S.J.; Sadler, J. 2026. Our Ospreys, Our Research: Students Investigate the Breeding Performance of Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus). Poster Presentation by M. Schroer and A. Genovese at the Stockton University’s Scholarship, Teaching, and Research Symposium, March 31.
Liu, J.; Schroer, M. 2024. Nesting by Design: Ospreys and the Adaptive Use of Human-Made Materials. Poster presented by Stockton student J. Liu at Stockton Environmental Sciences Internship Symposium, December 2.
Science of Teaching and Learning
Science of Teaching and Learning
Publications and Presentations
Publications and Presentations
Tower-Gilchrist, C.; Dubowy, C.; Leal, M.; Schroer, M.; Tice, D.; Wisco, J.; Worrell, L.; Stokes, J. 2025. Blood, Bones, and Barriers: HOW we incorporate the Social Determinants of Health into A&P. Workshop presentation at the Annual Conference of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, Pittsburgh, PA, May 21-25.
Tower-Gilchrist, C.; Eckel, C.; Eischen, B.; Leal, M.; Schroer, M.; Smith, M.; Wisco, J.; Worrell, L.; Stokes, J. 2025. Blood, Bones, and Barriers: Incorporating the Social Determinants of Health into A&P. Poster presentation at the Annual Conference of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, Pittsburgh, PA, May 21-25.
Schroer, M. 2025. Beyond the Textbook: Introducing Diversity into the Anatomy and Physiology Curriculum. Poster Presentation at Stockton University’s Scholarship, Teaching, and Research Symposium, April 7.
Schroer, M. 2024. Empowering Voices, Elevating Equity: A Review of Student-Generated Videos. Poster presentation at the Annual Conference of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, St. Louis, MO, May 25-29.
Gharaibeh, B., Goldina, A., Jellyman, J., Schroer, M., Tower-Gilchrist, C.D. 2024. Implementation of Diversity and Inclusive Pedagogies in Human Anatomy and Physiology: A Systems Approach. Workshop presentation at the Annual Conference of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, St. Louis, MO, May 25-29.
Schroer, M. 2024. Empowering Voices, Elevating Equity: A Review of Student Generated Videos. Poster Presentation at the Stockton University’s Scholarship, Teaching, and Research Symposium, April 25.
Law, M.; Schroer, M. 2024. Representing the Underrepresented through Student Generated Videos. Poster presented by M. Law at Stockton University’s NAMS Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 22.
Schroer, M. 2024. Lights, Camera, Action Potential: Student-Generated Videos in Online
and Face-to-Face Physiology Education. HAPS Educator 28(1): 4-13.
Schroer, M. 2023. Students as prosumers of anatomy and physiology content. Workshop presented at the Annual Conference of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, Albuquerque, NM, May 24-28.
Calandrino, S.; Schroer, M. 2023. Students in the Director’s Seat: A Scholarly Review of Literature on Teaching and Learning through Structured Video Creation. Poster presented by S. Calandrino at the NAMS Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April.
Schroer, M. 2023. A Social Media Project to Engage with Historical Figures and Examine Bias. #DeadlyArtist. Poster Presentation at the Stockton University Center for Teaching and Learning Design’s Week of Teaching, February.
Schroer, M. 2022. Breaking the Ice in an Online A&P Course. HAPS Teaching Tips.
Schroer, M. 2022. The Value of Learner-Generated Videos in the College Classroom. Recorded Presentation at the Stockton University Day of Scholarship, November 7.
Schroer, M. 2022. Flipgrid: Back to Campus. Peer- reviewed Buzz Session presentation at the Stockton University Center for Teaching and Learning Design’s Week of Teaching, February.
Schroer, M. 2021. Student Collaboration in the Online Classroom. Workshop presented at the Annual Conference of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, Virtual Meeting May 23-26.
Schroer, M. 2021. Students Making Videos: The Use of Flipgrid in the STEM classroom. Peer-reviewed Buzz Session presentation at the Stockton University Center for Teaching and Learning Design’s Week of Teaching, April.
Schroer, M. 2021. Flex Your Muscles: Exercise Videos in a Virtual Classroom. Poster (peer-reviewed) presented at the Stockton University Center for Teaching and Learning Design’s Week of Teaching, April.
Schroer, M. 2020. Flex Your Muscles: Exercise Videos in a Virtual Classroom. Poster presented at the October 3 Regional Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists and Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, Virtual Meeting.
Schroer, M. 2020. Using Video Response Systems in Human Anatomy Laboratory Classes
[Abstract]. HAPS Educator, August 2020 131.
Keller, A., Smith, D., Harrop, B., Lamit, L., Schroer, M., Wymore, A., Ueckert, C. 2012.
Genes Are Us. Science Scope 36(2): 52-59
Environmental Endocrinology
Environmental Endocrinology
Publications and Presentations
Publications and Presentations
Daniels, K.D., Schroer, M.L., Wolff, S.E., Bergamini, R.R., Propper, C.R. 2014.
Morphological Differences between Fish from a Wastewater Effluent Pond Compared to a Reference Lake. Poster presented by K.D. Daniels at Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology 2014 Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
Schroer, M.L., Healy, F., Peters, M., Shannon, J.P., Propper, C.R. 2012. Community Structure in the Verde River Watershed, Arizona: Is it associated with predicted pollution inputs? Poster presented by M.L. Schroer at American Water Resources Association Contaminants of Emerging Concern Summer Specialty Conference, Denver, CO.
Schroer, M. 2012. Fish behavior and benthic community interactions: The implications for wildlife response to pollution. [Abstract] Masters Abstracts International. Vol. 50(06): 156
Daniels, K.D., Schroer, M.L., Propper, C.R. 2012. Morphological Differences between Fish from a Wastewater Effluent Pond Compared to a Reference Lake. Poster presented by K.D. Daniels at Undergraduate Research and Design Symposium, Flagstaff, AZ.
Healy, F., Peters, M., Schroer, M.L., Propper, C.R. 2012 Assessment of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities as a tool to identify potential sites of pollution in the Verde River Watershed. Poster presented by F. Healy and M. Peters at Undergraduate Research and Design Symposium, Flagstaff, AZ.
Keller, A., Cooper, H., McHugh, T., Harrop, B., Lamit, J., Schroer, M., Smith, D., Wymore, A., Ueckert, C., Kesler, K., Watwood, M.B. 2012. NAU BIOTECH Project: Promoting Biotechnology in a Culturally Diverse Region. Poster presented by A. Keller at National Science Foundation Graduate STEM Fellows in K-12 Education Conference, Washington D.C.
Schroer, M.L., Peters, M., Healy, F.L., Petersen, J.N., Propper, C.R. 2012. The effects of shifting population dynamics on behavior and the expression of secondary sex characteristics in Pimephales promelas. Poster presented by M. Schroer at Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology 2012 Annual Meeting, Charlston, SC.
Harrop, B., Keller, A., McHugh, T., Wymore, A., Schroer, M., Ueckert, C., Kesler, K., Watwood, M.B., Gess-Newsome, J. 2011. 2011-2012 NSF GK12 BIOTECH Program. Poster presented by all authors at Northern Arizona University IGERT Annual IGERT Symposium, Flagstaff, AZ.
Schroer, M.L.; Wymore, A.S.; Keeley, A.T.H.; Yturralde, K.M.; Propper, C.R.; Whitham, T.G. 2011. Genes to ecosystems: Exploring the frontiers of ecology with one of the smallest biological units. Poster presented by M. Schroer at IGERT's First Online Poster Competition.
Peters, M.; Healy, F.; Petersen, J.; Schroer, M.L.; Propper, C.R. 2011. The Development of a Behavioral Assay for Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas) Addressing the Role of Sex Ratio on Courtship, Aggression, and Fecundity. Poster presented by M. Peters, F. Healy, J. Petersen at Undergraduate Symposium. Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Tahir, U.; Schroer, M.L.; Murray, J.A.; Cain, S.D. 2011 Mucociliary interactions in the foot of the sea slug Tritonia diomedea. Poster presented by U. Tahir at South East Neuroscience Conference. St. Augustine, FL
Tahir, U.; Schroer, M.L.; Murray, J.A.; Cain, S.D. 2011. Mucociliary interactions in the foot of the sea slug Tritonia diomedea. Poster presented by M. Schroer at Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, UT
Wymore A.S.; Keeley A.T.H.; Yturralde K.M.; Schroer M.L.; Propper C.R.; Whitham T.G.2011. Genes to ecosystems: exploring the frontiers of ecology with one of the smallest biological units. New Phytologist 191(1):19-36
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