Knauss legislative fellowships in Congress help build careers — and they're fun and educational. See our video and fact sheet for details.
Science Serving Maryland's Coasts
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Current Graduate Fellows
Maryland Sea Grant Research Fellowship
Fellowship at:
Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental ScienceProject Title:
Novel Genomic Tools to Assess Fish Diet and Prey Quality and in the Choptank RiverCool 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:
Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental ScienceProject Title:
Understanding the Distribution and Ecology of the Mysid Neomysis americana, a Key Forage Species in Chesapeake BayCool 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.
Fellowship at:
University of Maryland, College ParkProject Title:
Maryland Climate Resilience Indicators (MCRI): Participatory Indicators to Assess, Plan, and Evaluate Climate Adaptation ActionsCool 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
Fellowship at:
University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyProject 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 BayCool 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.
Fellowship at:
Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University System of MarylandProject Title:
Functional and Taxonomic Diversity of Microbial Communities in Microplastic Particles from the Chesapeake BayCool 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
Fellowship at:
The Office of Congressman Alan LowenthalCool Facts:
Laura Almodóvar-Acevedo is serving as a legislative fellow for the office of Congressman Alan Lowenthal of California’s 47th District. She is also researching habitat use of juvenile black sea bass in the Chesapeake Bay for her Ph.D. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and playing guitar.
Fellowship at:
National Marine Fisheries ServiceCool Facts:
Katie Hornick is a Habitat Restoration Specialist in the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service's Office of Habitat Conservation. She studied the genetic impact of large-scale hatchery-based restoration of oysters in Harris Creek, Maryland. Katie enjoys making jewelry, kayaking, hiking, and exploring new places with her pug, Oliver.
Fellowship at:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceCool Facts:
Amanda Lawrence is a 2020 Knauss Fellow with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in the National Wildlife Refuge System for the Coastal and Marine Program. She loves being near the water in any capacity, be it researching, kayaking or diving.
Fellowship at:
NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Climate Program OfficeCool Facts:
Wenfei Ni uses models to understand the impacts of human activity and climate change on the long-term change of summer low oxygen condition in the Chesapeake Bay water. Aside from work, Wenfei enjoys reading crime novels, watching soccer games and hanging out with friends.
Fellowship at:
Oceanographer of the NavyCool Facts:
Caroline is serving as the Knauss Marine Policy Fellow in the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy. She enjoys running, music by Johnny Cash, and really bad puns.Graduate Research Support Grants
Fellowship at:
Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University System of MarylandProject Title:
Natural Algaecides: Compounds Produced by Barley Straw to Reduce Harmful Algal BloomsCool Facts:
Taylor Armstrong is studying the toxins produced by algae and identifying natural algaecides to reduce harmful algal blooms. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to audiobooks, running, and painting.
Fellowship at:
Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental ScienceProject Title:
Linking Stormwater BMP Implementation and Mosquito Infestation to Resident Socioeconomic Status, Knowledge, and Attitudes in Two Suburban WatershedsCool Facts:
Brendan Campbell is looking at novel ways of understanding the physical environment associated with shellfish aquaculture gear and its relation to growth and production of shellfish. Aside from work, Brendan can be found hiking, fishing, or cooking.
Fellowship at:
Salisbury UniversityProject Title:
Interspecific Interaction Between Ctenophores and Forage Fishes in Maryland Coastal Bays Using Stable IsotopesCool Facts:
Sarah Cvach is examining possible dietary competition between ctenophores and forage fishes in Maryland’s coastal bays. In her spare time, she likes to volunteer, work, play videogames, and go out to eat with friends.
Fellowship at:
Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental ScienceProject Title:
Characterizing Genomic Diversity of Wild and Planted Oyster Populations in Chesapeake Bay to Better Inform RestorationCool 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.
Fellowship at:
University of Maryland, College Park, Department of Environmental Science and TechnologyProject Title:
Spatiotemporal Study of Yellow Perch from Chesapeake Bay Tributaries: Genetics, Hormones, and HistopathologyCool Facts:
Alexander MacLeod is investigating reproductive issues in wild yellow perch associated with declining populations in Chesapeake Bay tributaries. Outside of his academic pursuits, he relishes backpacking in the wilderness, playing music on the piano, and board games with friends.
Fellowship at:
University of Maryland, College ParkProject Title:
Microplastics from Wastewater Effluent as Vectors for Pharmaceutical & Personal Care Products to Rivers and EstuariesCool Facts:
Alterra Sanchez studies the fate and transport of organic pollutants and microplastics in the wastewater treatment process. When not in the laboratory, Alterra loves to read fantasy novels, play the Magic the Gathering card game, practice yoga, and learn to play pinball.
Fellowship at:
University of Maryland, College ParkProject Title:
Automated Crabmeat Picking Technology - Enhancing the Research Outcome through In-lab and In-field StudiesCool Facts:
Dongyi is working to design a computer vision-guided automated blue crab meat harvesting machine. He enjoys cooking, playing badminton and tennis in his spare time.
Fellowship at:
University of Maryland, College ParkProject Title:
Assessing the Ecohydrological Performance of Stormwater Green Infrastructure (SWGI) Treatment Trains at the Subwatershed Scale in Montgomery County, MDCool Facts:
Matthew Wilfong investigates the hydrology and pollution retention of different stormwater green infrastructure designs in Maryland to better understand stormwater pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. He enjoys fly fishing, trail running, and backpacking.NMFS-Sea Grant Joint Fellowships
Fellowship at:
Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental ScienceProject Title:
Impacts of Misspecification of Spatial Structure of Assessment and Stock on Reliability of Reference PointsCool 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.Program Announcements
News and Blogs
Featured Fellow
Taylor Armstrong is studying the toxins produced by algae and identifying natural algaecides to reduce harmful algal blooms. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to audiobooks, running, and painting.
Featured Research Project
Assessing the Ecohydrological Performance of Stormwater Green Infrastructure (SWGI) Treatment Trains at the Subwatershed Scale in Montgomery County, MD
Urban stormwater runoff remains on the of the primary sources of nutrients, sediments, and other pollutants in receiving waters, like the Chesapeake Bay. Stormwater best management practices (BMPs) and green infrastructure (SWGI) have been implemented in urban and suburban areas to re-establish ecosystem functions lost because of urbanization. SWGI treatment trains provide sequential infiltration and treatment of stormwater on the landscape prior to export into nearby waterways and groundwater.
