Dr. Brittany Jellison is a marine scientist that explores how coastal organisms are responding, acclimating, and adapting to human-altered environments. Her work explores how marine ecological interactions are altered by global change, using a variety of mechanistic-laboratory and -field experiments with a focus on factors that influence and alter trophic cascades in coastal systems. Most of the work in her lab concentrates on intertidal/subtidal habitats and marine invertebrate organisms. She uses physiology, animal behavior, and community ecology tools to study these systems and stressors (seawater pH, temperature, nutrient loading) in the Gulf of Maine. Her work seeks to explore questions such as the following: How do species and populations respond physiologically and behaviorally to ocean change? How do multiple stressors in the field alter species interactions and influence community structure? Will specific populations or species be more vulnerable to ocean change?

Hannah Gossner is a PhD student studying the interaction between coastal climate change, Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), and toxicity in commercially valuable shellfish species in the Great Bay area in the Gulf of Maine. She hopes to explore the intersection between physiology, biogeochemistry, and applied ecology, with the eventual goal of using her research to help guide shellfish harvesting management. While her background is strongly rooted in natural science, she is especially interested in how scientists can leverage their research to push for equity in academia, the resource management, and local communities. She completed her B.A. in Marine Sciences at Boston University in 2013, and her M.S. at Oregon State University in 2018 with Dr. Francis Chan looking at the influence of ocean acidification and hypoxia on juvenile shellfish. She has most recently worked as lab manager and research assistant for Drs. Amy Maas and Leocadio Blanco-Bercial at Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (Arizona State University) in the Zooplankton Ecology Lab. When not in the lab, she loves getting outside, knitting, and hiking with her dog Kitsune. 

Abigail is a marine biology student who is currently working towards her master's degree. Her research focuses on the convergent impact of anthropogenic noise and temperature on the settlement behavior of larval blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). This project seeks to understand how to support the burgeoning blue mussel aquaculture industry in New Hampshire in a way that is actionable. Both this project and the ethos of the MEPL lab align well with her research interests, as they lie in the physiology and behavior of aquatic invertebrates in the context of a changing climate.

Abigail attended the University of New Hampshire for her undergraduate degree and earned her B.S. in Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Biology. During this time, she studied the impact of different anthropogenic and climate stressors on various aquatic invertebrate species. This includes the American horseshoe crab's (Limulus polyphemus) response to the biomedical bleeding process, the impact of increasing water temperatures on the swimming behavior and physiology of the post-larval American lobster (Homarus americanus), and the locomotor behavioral response of freshwater mussel species to the disturbance of conservational relocation efforts in New Brunswick, Canada. She hopes to continue delving into marine biological research and is excited for what graduate school has to offer!

Maggie Dillon is a PhD student interested in how marine organisms respond to environmental stressors across physiological and ecological scales in dynamic habitats. In particular, she is interested in overwintering stress and energy allocation in eastern oysters, as well as investigating the impacts of predation on oyster morphology and performance. Maggie hopes to use her research to inform aquaculture practices and coastal conservation strategies.

Prior to joining the Marine Ecophysiology Lab, Maggie earned her B.A. from St. John's College (Annapolis) and an M.S. studying fish assemblages on artificial reefs in California in the Claisse Lab at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. In addition, she has hands-on experience as a Research Technician at Occidental College and The Virginia Institute of Marine Science, as well as a Marine Science Instructor and Aquarist at the Catalina Island Marine Institute.

In her free time, you can find Maggie camping, diving, reading, crafting, or spending time with her dog.

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https://mmdillon38.github.io/

Sophie is a PhD student interested in the energetic tradeoffs organisms face in response to biotic and abiotic stressors, especially those stressors that are changing due to human impact. Previously, Sophie conducted research to understand if increased-shell thickness in Blue mussels, induced by their invasive predator Green crabs, resulted in diminished adductor muscle mass and stength, a defensive structure used against predators like Forbes Sea stars. However, she found that adducutor muscles were actually larger and stronger in blue mussels with thickened shells. This then leaves the energetic source of increased investment in defense a mystery, and one Sophie hopes to uncover in her PhD work. She is particularly interested in understanding if reproductive investment may be lower in blue mussels responding to stressors, and expanding the stressors considered beyond just predation to include some of the many other challenges faced by this important marine bivalve. 

Sophie attended Bowdoin College for her undergraduate degree, earning her B.A. in Biology with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology. She then worked as a science educator for four year. For three of those year, she was a high school biology and oceanography teacher, and concurrently earned her Master's Degree in Secondary Science Education. She also worked for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts in the year prior to beginning her PhD, helping to launch the novel "STEM-On-The-Go" program aimed to make science programing more accessible across the region. 

In her freetime, you can find Sophie hiking, tidepooling, propogating her plants, finding someone's pet to hangout with, or watching reality competition shows. 

Katherine M. Pagán Rivera graduated from the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, where she double majored in coastal marine biology and wildlife management. Her main area of interest is ecology, especially in estuarine systems and the great variety of factors that can influence and alter them. In addition to this, she has a particular interest in aquatic invertebrates. Among some of her research roles, she worked with deep sea image analysis to obtain the biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone in the Pacific Ocean. Before her position at UNH, she worked with local hands-on volunteer efforts such as coast monitoring for sea turtles nesting. You can find her diving, snorkeling, or walking with her cat in her free time.

Olivia is a senior at the University of New Hampshire majoring in Zoology with a minor in Marine Biology. Her areas of interest include marine ecology, benthic communities, and physiology. She is currently assisting with research on how biotoxin accumulation effects the feeding behavior and food selection of commercially important bivalves. Outside of school, Olivia enjoys doing art and being outside.

Maryanne recently graduated from UNH with a B.S. in Zoology and a minor in Marine Biology. Her main interests are ocean conservation and animal behavior. Currently, Maryanne is assisting Maggie over the summer, researching the overwintering stress of oysters in Great Bay. After she will be volunteering for the Caretta Research Project to collect data on loggerhead sea turtle hatching and emergence success. Outside of working, Maryanne loves the beach, collecting shells, and listening to good music. You will often find her humming tunes to herself throughout the day. 

Sam is a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire, majoring in Zoology. Her interests include wildlife conservation, animal behavior, and wildlife ecology. She is currently assisting with research on the physiology of blue mussels and how their defensive response to one of their predators, invasive green crabs, affects reproduction and other processes. Outside of school, Sam enjoys hiking and winter sports.

Kayla is currently a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire. She is majoring in Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Biology with minors in Animal Behavior and Marine Policy. Her interests include shark biology and conservation, the effects of climate change on marine species, and marine animal behavior. She enjoy spending her free time hiking, golfing, and being outdoors, especially at the beach.

Tom Munger is a research technician at the University of New Hampshire, contributing to multiple projects focused on ecological monitoring and conservation. His current work includes investigating the cumulative effects of climate change and anthropogenic noise on the larval recruitment and growth of blue mussels. He is also supporting the development of a detection algorithm to quantify toadfish vocalizations as indicators of ecological change associated with Everglades restoration efforts.

Tom’s research interests center on the use of bioacoustics as a passive monitoring tool to assess ecological indicators and track species presence and behavior. He is passionate about applying science to support conservation and the protection of natural ecosystems.

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Prior to joining UNH, Tom worked for six years with the U.S. Forest Service on a large-scale bioacoustics monitoring project across the Pacific Northwest. Outside the lab, he enjoys spending time in nature, birding, and adventuring with his wife, Jill, and their dog, Quinn.