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Ryan J. Woodland (Associate Professor)
My research focuses on aquatic ecosystems and how environmental factors influence community composition, niche characteristics, and trophic relationships. In addition to my own research and that of my students, I'm dedicated to brining new voices and perspectives to STEM by supporting internships at CBL for community college students.
Checking out Chetumal Bay, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Photo credit: D. Quill
Nina Santos (PhD student)
As part of my dissertation, I am investigating the effects of hypoxia and prey availability on the spatial distribution and feeding ecology of mysids (Neomysis americana and Americamysis spp.) in Chesapeake Bay. My work involves laboratory feeding experiments as well as measurements of mysids collected in the field for bulk stable isotope analysis and compound specific stable isotope analysis.
Nina with a sand tiger shark captured during the URI Fish Trawl Survey aboard the R/V Cap'n Bert.
Matt Stefanak (PhD student)
My dissertation research focuses on the Chesapeake Bay plume, which is defined by the nexus of estuarine and oceanic waters, and how the spatial and temporal variability in biological communities is affected by plume dynamics. Before joining Dr. Woodland’s lab, I spent two years on Oʻahu working at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology after graduating from Middlebury College with a B.A. in Biology & Environmental Studies.
Matt preparing to deploy a CTD aboard the UNOLS vessel R/V Savannah in September 2023.
Meagan Criscuoli (MS student)
My research focuses on detecting the presence of microplastics in different functional groups of fish in the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. Through the use of gut content analysis and stable isotope analysis of fish collected at different times and locations my research explores the abundance of microplastics through different trophic levels.
One of Meagan's focal species is the invasive blue catfish (upper trophic level omnivore).
Sabrina Groves (PhD student, co-advised with Elizabeth North, Horn Point Lab)
Sabrina Groves is a Horn Point Laboratory Ph.D. student studying the application of spatial ecological informatics techniques in fisheries oceanography. Her research leverages machine learning and ecosystem modeling to map multidecadal changes in the Bering Sea Cold Pool and its broad effects on ecologically and economically valued taxa: krill and walleye pollock.
Sabrina's Cold Pool research can help inform fisheries and ecosystem management in the Berring Sea.
Raul Flamenco (PhD student, co-advised with Carys Mitchelmore, CBL)
I was awarded a NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center Graduate Fellowship to support my graduate work at UMCES. Exposure to N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (6PPD) from tires is responsible for annual salmonid kills in the Pacific Northwest. My proposed dissertation project will further our understanding of environmental concentrations, trophic transfer, toxicological mode of action, and hotspots of 6PPD-q in Maryland fish.
Raul relaxing with lab mates Sayeda Sadia Ali, Amir Azarnivand, and Walt Boynton (Emeritus).
Pauline Lawrence (MS student)
I was awarded a UMCES Centennial Presidential Fellowship to pursue graduate studies at CBL. My research will focus on the trophic ecology of fish in shallow coastal habitats of Chesapeake Bay. I am currently developing a manuscript for peer-review based on my Honors Thesis Research at St. Mary's College of Maryland that focused on validating the use of eye lens tissue stable isotope applications for Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus).
Pauline and Theresa hook-and-line sampling in the Choptank River, Maryland.
Theresa Murphy (Laboratory Manager, Faculty Research Assistant)
I started as a E2C3 intern in the Woodland Lab in 2017 and participated in the 2018 Belize Research Experience. Afterwards, I transitioned to a role as a technician in the lab and currently serve as Lab Manager and Research Assistant. I've participated in all aspects of research in the lab and serve as project manager for several ongoing and long-term research and outreach activities.
Theresa processing a benthic grab sample about the R/V Rachel Carson.
Non-Human Lab Personnel
Woodland creatures: Tilly (top) and Nora (bottom)
Santos squad: Fennel (Axolotl)
Matt's cats: Eponine (top) and Fiona (bottom)
Alumni - Graduate Students, Postdocs, and Technicians (UMCES only)
Angel Reyes Delgado (MS, 2025)
TROPHIC ECOLOGY OF WEAKFISH, CYNOSCION REGALIS, IN THE MID-ATLANTIC BIGHT, CHESAPEAKE BAY, AND MARYLAND COASTAL BAYS
Reyes Delagado, A. and B. Smith. 2024. J. Fish Biol 105:1628-1642.
Dani(elle) Quill (MS, 2024)
SPATIOTEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF CHESAPEAKE BAY MYSIDS IN THE CHOPTANK AND PATUXENT RIVERS, MARYLAND
Dani helped coauthor a recent paper on mysids:
Woodland, R.J., et al. 2024. Est and Coasts 47:2455–2472.
Alexandra Fireman (MS, 2021)
ON THE SHELL OF THE TURTLE: IDENTIFYING THE ISOTOPIC NICHE OF HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLES IN ANTIGUA, WEST INDIES
Check out a video of Alex's research
Ginni La Rosa (MS, 2019)
TROPHIC ECOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITION OF BLACK SEA BASS CENTROPRISTIS STRIATA IN THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC BIGHT
Check out a video of Ginni's research
Lael Collins (Lab Technician 2022-2023, Wilberg Lab MS Student, 2023-2025)
Joseph Molina (Lab Technician, 2016-2018, 2020-2021)
Dr. Timo Arula (Baltic-American Freedom Foundation Post-doctoral Fellow, 2018-2019)
Maryland Sea Grant Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) and Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation Fellow Alumni
Kyle Jenks (Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation Fellow, 2025)
STOMACH CONTENTS ANALYSIS OF DEEP CREEK LAKE FINFISH TO SUPPORT FOOD WEB AND HEAVY METALS MODELING
Valeria Guevara (MDSG REU Fellow 2024)
COMPARATIVE ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS OF OYSTER REEF HABITATS: COMMUNITY COMPOSITION AND TROPHIC STRUCTURE
Isabel Medina Fantauzzi (MDSG REU Fellow, 2022)
EFFECTS OF THE CHEAPEAKE BAY PLUME ON BENTHIC BIODIVERSITY AND BIOMASS IN THE SHALLOW COASTAL ZONE
Kennedy Quillen (MDSG REU Fellow, 2021)
BENTHIC-PELAGIC COUPLING BY NEOMYSIS AMERICANA IN TWO CHESAPEAKE BAY TRIBUTARIES
Ana E. Rios Morales (MDSG Virtual Professional Development Program Intern, 2020)
Learn more about Ana on her MDSG profile page.
Oliver Autrey (MDSG REU Fellow, 2019)
DETERMINING FECUNDITY AND GENETIC DIFFERENCES OF NEOMYSIS AMERICANA IN RIVER SYSTEMS THAT VARY IN PRODUCTITVITY WITHIN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Woodland, R.J., et al. 2024. Est and Coasts 47:2455–2472.
Brooke Iacone (MDSG REU Fellow, 2017)
ONE CELL AT A TIME: INVESTIGATING GRAZING HABITS OF NEOMYSIS AMERICANA IN THE PATUXTENT RIVER USING FLOW-CYTOMETRY
Rosaura Chapina (MDSG REU Fellow, 2016)
OXYGEN CONSUMPTION BY NEOMYSIS AMERICANA UNDER REALISTIC SUMMER TEMPERATURES AND SALINITY CONDITIONS
Environmental Education Community College Collaboration (E2C3) Alumni
Kyle Jenks (E2C3 Research Fellow, 2022-2023)
Amber Giseke (E2C3 Research Fellow, 2022-2023)
Jamie Coppola (CSM Research Intern, 2020)
Brianna Douglas (E2C3 Research Fellow, 2019)
Nicholas Johnson (E2C3 Research Fellow, 2019)
Nick also participated in Dr. Laura Lapham's Tiny Bubbles Project - check it out!
Theresa Murphy (E2C3 Research Fellow, 2017-2018)
Theresa participated in the 2018 Belize Research Experience.
Cameron Allen (E2C3 Research InteFellowrn, 2017-2018)
Cameron participated in the 2018 Belize Research Experience.
Pre-collegiate interns
Corinne Charney (STEM Research intern, 2020-2021)
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