Science Serving Maryland's Coasts

Current Graduate Fellows

Maryland Sea Grant Research Fellowship

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

Aixa Alemán-Díaz

Fellowship at:

NOAA National Sea Grant Office

Cool Facts:

Aixa Alemán-Díaz joined the NOAA National Sea Grant Office for her Knauss fellowship as the coastal ecosystems and resilience specialist. Her research compares the way in which the social background influences people's relationships with beaches and coastal bioluminescence in their everyday life.

Ammar Hanif

Fellowship at:

NOAA National Centers for Coastal and Ocean Science

Cool Facts:

Ammar Hanif joined NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Monitoring and Assessment Branch as a senior scientist studying the presence and environmental impacts of microplastics in the Great Lakes using bioindicators in mussels. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, running, and cycling, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Noelle Olsen

Fellowship at:

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service’s Office of Science and Technology

Cool Facts:

Noelle Olsen is serving as the bycatch, release mortality, and observer program specialist in the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service’s Office of Science and Technology. She enjoys traveling, cooking, going to concerts, and is proud to be a part of the LGBTQ community.

Lauren Tavar

Fellowship at:

US Senator Cory Booker

Cool Facts:

Lauren Tavar is serving as a legislative fellow for the Office of Senator Cory Booker. She has worked for a variety of environmental nonprofits including the Center for Biological Diversity, Endangered Species Coalition, Environmental Integrity Project, and Natural Resources Defense Council.

Graduate Research Support Grantees

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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).

Emily Russ

Fellowship at:

Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Project Title:

Exploring the Connectivity of Sediment Transport in Upper Chesapeake Bay

Cool Facts:

Emily Russ is studying sediment dynamics in the the upper Chesapeake Bay. When she is not there, you might find her throwing a frisbee or hiking.

Danielle Weissman

Fellowship at:

University of Maryland, College Park

Project Title:

Salt Water Intrusion and Legacy Nutrient Release Across Coastal Farmland

Cool Facts:

Dani Weissman researches the relationship between nutrient cycling and salt water intrusion in coastal agricultural areas. In her spare time, Dani plays the fiddle in her band, Swamp Donkey Newgrass.

Featured Research Project

Integrated Geospatial, Cultural, and Social Assessment of Coastal Resilience to Climate Change

Social scientists will collaborate with a wetlands ecologist to improve assessments of communities’ vulnerabilities to climate change and to help communities develop strategies to adapt. Better integration of geospatial and modeling data with social science knowledge has the potential to reveal critical decision points leading to more resilient communities, economies, and ecosystems.