Embedded Files
Ryan J. Woodland (Associate Professor)
My research focuses on aquatic ecosystems (particularly estuaries) and how environmental factors influence community composition, niche characteristics, and trophic relationships. In addition to my own research, I'm involved in efforts to diversify STEM by supporting internships at CBL for community college students enrolled at the College of Southern Maryland.
Checking out Chetumal Bay, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Photo credit: D. Quill
Nina Santos (PhD student)
As part of my dissertation, I am investigating the diet and prey preferences of Neomysis americana, a species of mysid, in order to inform a predictive food web model. My work involves laboratory feeding experiments as well as measurements of mysids collected in the field for gut content analysis, 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.
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 will explore the abundance of microplastics through different trophic levels.
One of Meagan's focal species will be the invasive blue catfish (upper trophic level omnivore).
Matt Stefanak (PhD student)
My dissertation research will focus mainly 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 conducting field work in Kauai, Hawai'i.
Angel Reyes Delgado (MS student)
Funded through the LMRCSC, I am on a co-advised project with Dr. Ryan Woodland and Dr. Paulinus Chigbu (NOAA-LMRCSC, UMES Director). My work is focused on comparing the fatty acid composition, stable isotope composition, and diet of juvenile weakfish Cynoscion regalis from the Patuxent River and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Ultimately, my work will examine the extent to which trophic niche of weakfish differs between these two important yet very different juvenile habitats.
Angel measuring a black nose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus).
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 collecting water quality in Ambergris Caye Lagoon, Belize.
Danielle Quill (MS student)
I was awarded a Maryland Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellowship to work on the ecology of N. americana shrimp in Chesapeake Bay. My work will provide some of the most comprehensive focused research on this critical yet understudied taxon in the Bay. This work will help better inform the implementation of ecosystem-based fisheries management policy.
Dani and 1st mate Spade on the Choptank River, MD, aboard the R/V Terrapin.
Lael Collins (Faculty Research Assistant)
I was awarded a National Science Foundation Geoscience Research Experiences for Post-Baccalaureate Students (GEO-REPS) fellowship to conduct a year-long independent research project on trophic linkages between shallow coastal mysids assemblages and juvenile finfish in Chesapeake Bay. I will transition to a MS graduate fellowship in August 2023.
Lael conducting an early morning seine on the Patuxent River, MD, adjacent to the CBL pier.
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
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
Dr. Timo Arula (Baltic-American Freedom Foundation Post-doctoral Fellow, 2018-2019)
Joseph Molina (Lab Technician, 2016-2018, 2020-2021)
Maryland Sea Grant Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Alumni
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
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
Amber Giseke (E2C3 Research Fellow, 2022-2023, photo coming soon)
Kyle Jenks (E2C3 Research Fellow, 2022-2023, photo coming soon)
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)
Report abuse