Science Serving Maryland's Coasts

Current Graduate Fellows

Maryland Sea Grant Research Fellowship

Catherine Fitzgerald

Catherine Fitzgerald

Fellowship at: 

Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Project Title: 

Novel Genomic Tools to Assess Fish Diet and Prey Quality and in the Choptank River

Cool Facts: 

Catherine Fitzgerald investigates zooplankton communities of the Choptank River and potential drivers of prey selection in larval fish. She also enjoys painting, biking, and kayaking.

Samantha Gleich

Fellowship at: 

Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Project Title: 

Assessing the Effectiveness of the Anacostia River Tunnel in Reduction of Eutrophication

Cool Facts: 

Samantha Gleich studies phytoplankton community responses to changes in nutrient abundance and form. In her spare time, Samantha loves jogging, hiking, and spending time with her friends.

Dani Quill

Dani Quill

Fellowship at: 

Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Project Title: 

Understanding the Distribution and Ecology of the Mysid Neomysis americana, a Key Forage Species in Chesapeake Bay

Cool Facts: 

Dani Quill is studying the ecology of the mysid Neomysis americana​ within the Chesapeake Bay in the context of fisheries management. She enjoys SCUBA diving, photography, kayaking, spending time with her pets, and is pursuing a PADI Rescue Diver certification. 

Daniel Teodoro

Fellowship at: 

University of Maryland, College Park

Project Title: 

Maryland Climate Resilience Indicators (MCRI): Participatory Indicators to Assess, Plan, and Evaluate Climate Adaptation Actions

Cool Facts: 

Daniel Teodoro is studying participation networks in socio-ecological systems management in the eastern shore of Maryland. In his personal time, Daniel collaborates in music, photography, and short film projects with his friends.

Competitive Graduate Research Fellowship

Ethan Hain

Ethan Hain

Fellowship at: 

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Project Title: 

Development and Validation of Novel, Fluorescence-based Tools to Screen For and Identify Urban and Agricultural Sources of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Chesapeake Bay

Cool Facts: 

Ethan Hain studies the occurrence and toxicity of contaminants of emerging concern in the Chesapeake Bay. In his spare time, Ethan enjoys cooking, baking, and playing soccer.

Ana Sosa

Ana Sosa

Fellowship at: 

Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University System of Maryland

Project Title: 

Functional and Taxonomic Diversity of Microbial Communities in Microplastic Particles from the Chesapeake Bay

Cool Facts: 

Ana Sosa is a Ph.D student studying the taxonomy and ecological roles of microbial communities forming biofilms on microplastic particles in the Chesapeake Bay. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, reading, teaching, watching movies, and doing yoga. 

Graduate Research Support Grantees

Joel Bostic headshot

Joel Bostic

Fellowship at: 

Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Cool Facts: 

Joel Bostic is researching how nitrogen is deposited from the atmosphere, interacts with ecosystems, and is exported in streams. He enjoys exploring the public lands across western Maryland with his wife and two young sons.

Drew Hobbs headshot

Drew Hobbs

Fellowship at: 

Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Cool Facts: 

Drew Hobbs is studying how aeration and oxygen controls impact biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. In his spare time, Drew likes to exercise, hike, kayak, and keep up to speed with comic books and films.

Katie Hornick

Katie Hornick

Fellowship at: 

Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Project Title: 

Characterizing Genomic Diversity of Wild and Planted Oyster Populations in Chesapeake Bay to Better Inform Restoration

Cool Facts: 

Katie Hornick is studying population genetics of eastern oyster restoration in Chesapeake Bay. In her spare time, Katie enjoys making jewelry, SCUBA diving, and hiking with her pug, Oliver.

Fisheries Population Dynamics Fellowship

Reed Brodnik

Reed Brodnik

Fellowship at: 

Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Project Title: 

Impacts of Misspecification of Spatial Structure of Assessment and Stock on Reliability of Reference Points

Cool Facts: 

Reed is studying the population dynamics of black sea bass (Centropristis striata) in the Mid-Atlantic Bight region of the Atlantic seaboard. In his free time, Reed enjoys kayaking, fishing, and crabbing in the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay. 

Coastal Resilience and Sustainability Research Fellowships

Jacob Hagedorn Profile Picture

Jacob Hagedorn

Fellowship at: 

Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Project Title: 

Potential Pollution Trade-Offs for Sustainable Coastal Agricultural Management

Cool Facts: 

Jake Hagedorn is studying the potential pollution swapping that might exist with a best management practice (BMP) implementation that controls water levels in agricultural fields in the Chesapeake Bay. When he is not sampling, you will find him gardening or hiking.

Katie Hornick

Katie Hornick

Fellowship at: 

Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Project Title: 

Using an Individual-Based Model to Predict the Genetic Impacts of Hatchery Based Restoration of the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in Chesapeake Bay

Cool Facts: 

Katie Hornick is studying population genetics of Eastern oyster restoration in Chesapeake Bay.  In her spare time, Katie enjoys making jewelry, SCUBA diving, and hiking with her pug, Oliver.

Adriane Michaelis

Adriane Michaelis

Fellowship at: 

University of Maryland, College Park

Project Title: 

Understanding Decisions to Participate in Oyster Aquaculture in Maryland-Implications of Livelihood Diversification on Resilience

Cool Facts: 

Adriane Michaelis is studying why those involved in oyster aquaculture in Maryland have chosen to take it on, and why some commercial watermen have chosen not to, highlighting challenges inherent in participation. Before starting her dissertation work with Maryland’s watermen and oyster growers, Adriane dove from and captained a dive research vessel while monitoring Maryland’s restored oyster reefs.

Oakley

Hayley Oakland

Fellowship at: 

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Project Title: 

New Measures of Aquatic Habitat for Assessing Restoration Resilience

Cool Facts: 

Hayley Oakland is studying stream restoration via the response of freshwater insect communities and measures of channel habitat derived from aerial survey techniques. In her spare time, Hayley enjoys road and mountain biking, hiking, music, and her cats.

Alex Rittle

Fellowship at: 

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Project Title: 

Continuous Mapping of Channel Features for Monitoring Aquatic Habitat and Sediment Flux in Coastal Systems

Cool Facts: 

Alex is monitoring a dam removal on the Patapsco River using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).