Dr. J. Evan Ward, University of Connecticut Department of Marine Sciences

STAFF & STUDENTS IN THE MARINE BIODYNAMICS LAB

RESEARCH & EDUCATION ASSISTANT III

Ms. Bridget Holohan
B.S. Oceanography, University of Michigan; M.S. Oceanography, University of Rhode Island.
I have a wide variety of interests in marine science. I am particularly interested in the ecology of organisms and have worked for several years on the introduction of exotic marine species. I find it very fascinating how an ecosystem responds to the introduction of a new organism. My thesis research focused on the ecology of a burrowing anemone, Ceriantheopsis americanus, in Narragansett Bay.

My experience includes working as a Marine Science Teaching Assistant at the Williams College-Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program, Marine Science Instructor at the Wallops Island Marine Science Consortium, Oceanography Instructor at Acadia Institute of Oceanography, and a Research Associate at Williams College-Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program.

In addition to research, I am interested in teaching people about marine science. I enjoy interacting in an experiential teaching environment. I feel that "hands-on" learning is a very effective approach to education and therefore, try to employ this method whenever possible. It has been my experience that people gain a greater understanding and retain that understanding better if they are able to actually observe the scientific principles acting in nature.

POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW

Dr. Maille Lyons
B.S. Biology,University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth; M.A. Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Ph.D. Oceanography, University of Connecticut.

Marine aggregates (e.g., marine snow, flocs), ranging in size from a few micrometers to several millimeters, are ubiquitous in aquatic environments. Aggregation of living and non-living material is a natural process affected by a number of well-documented physical, chemical and biological processes, and represents an important mechanism of vertical transport of material to the benthos. Consequently, benthic organisms, such as molluscan shellfish, are exposed to a steady supply of marine aggregates and the various microorganisms contained within.

My research interests focus on the ecological role of marine aggregates as a link between water-borne pathogens (e.g., Vibrio spp., Listeria spp., Perkinsus marinus, MSX, QPX) and benthic, suspension-feeding bivalves (e.g., oysters, clams, mussels and scallops). Our research group has hypothesized that marine aggregates enhance the transmission of aquatic diseases by at least two mechanisms: 1) As reservoirs when aggregates serve to concentrate marine pathogens within their matrix, and 2) As vectors when aggregates deliver small pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria, zoospores) to suspension-feeding bivalves and facilitate retention by the gills.

CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS & THEIR RESEARCH

Mr. Dane Frank, Ph.D. Student
B.S. Marine Science with a Biology concentration, Southampton College, LIU; M.S. Oceanography, University of Connecticut.
Long Island Sound is home to many ecologically and commercially important shellfish species such as the oyster, Crassostrea virginica; the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis; and the clam, Mercenaria mercenaria. With the current trend in population growth of coastal communities, there is a growing need for techniques to accurately monitor the abiotic and biotic components of marine ecosystems to provide data on the impact of anthropogenic perturbations.

For my Master's project, I developed a fiber optic system capable of continuously monitoring physiological processes of bivalves in the field. I am currently using this system in my Ph.D. work to study the relationships between feeding, ventilation and pumping rates in the laboratory, and explore the physiological compensations of bivalves to environmental change.

Mr. John Doyle, Ph.D. Student
B.S. Biology, Saint Peter's College, Jersey City; M.S. Molecular Biology, Montclair State University, Montclair; M.S. Criminalistics, University of New Haven, West Haven.
Rising sea surface temperatures and the introduction of anthropogenic chemicals into the marine environment through sewage treatment plant effluent are believed to contribute to higher incidences of marine disease. I am interested in the accumulation of environmental toxins in suspension feeding bivalves and the potential deleterious effects on the animals' overall health. Accordingly, I would like to know if these chemicals serve as environmental triggers, lowering the immunological response of the bivalves, thereby enabling other opportunistic organisms to establish pathogenicity. A final point of curiosity is how the presence of the aforementioned toxins influence the microbial community within the pallial cavity and gut of bivalves. Are anthropogenic chemicals in marine systems lowering the numbers of beneficial probiotics in the environment and on / in the tissues of bivalves thereby reducing the overall fitness of the population? Results of my research may provide information important to the management of broader ecological problems such as how to minimize antibiotic resistance and ensure a safe shellfish population for human consumption.

Mr. Dustin Kach, M.S. Student
B.S. Coastal Studies, University of Connecticut.
In coastal environments the material suspended in sea water includes a heterogenous mix of organic and inorganic particles ranging in size from sub-micron to hundreds of micrometers. Suspension-feeding animals rely on this material for nutrition, but the types of particles that are actually utilized as food are often not well known. For my research, I am examining if marine aggregates (see M. Lyons above for description) serve as a food resource for suspension-feeding bivalves. In particular, I am interested in determining if aggregates serve as a means by which bivalves can uptake very small particles such as pico- and nanoplankton; particles that they would not be able to efficiently capture if freely suspended.

Ms. Maria Rosa, M.S. Student
B.S. Biology, The City College, New York.
My research interests focus on the connection between organism physiology and ecology. Questions such as why does an animal exhibit a particular behavior, and what environmental cues and processes drive it to behave in a certain way are of interest to me. For my masters thesis I am examining mechanisms that underlie the selection of particles by suspension-feeding bivalves. Specifically I am examining the effects of surface properties (e.g., surface charge, "stickiness", etc.) of various particles on selection using a bioassay guided approach. By using bivalves with different gill morphologies (i.e. ctenidial types) and ciliation, I hope to gain insight into how surface properties affect the particle selection process. I am also interested in examining whether the process of particle selection is inherent and evolutionary conserved, or if each bivalve species exhibits their own unique selective mechanism that is affected by different particle properties. Data gathered from this study will increase our understanding of how bivalves differentiate among food and other particles to which they are exposed in the field.

CURRENT UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS & THEIR RESEARCH
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Mr. Eric Heupel
Senior, Coastal Studies, University of Connecticut.
Eric is working with us as a summer research intern, funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, Integrative Biology Program. He is developing age-appropriate educational packets that will demonstrate fundamental biological principles of bivalves molluscs, an ecologically and economically important group of marine animals, in understandable, real-world terms. Among other talents, Eric enjoys blogging about our spineless relatives (see The Other 95%).

FORMER GRADUATE STUDENTS
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Dr. Maille Lyons,  B.S. Biology,University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth; M.A. Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Ph.D. Oceanography, University of Connecticut (graduated summer 2008).  Maille's work focused on the ecological role of marine aggregates as a link between pathogens (e.g., Vibrio spp., Perkinsus marinus, QPX) and benthic, suspension-feeding bivalves (e.g., oysters, clams). Among other findings, her work demonstrated that aggregates could serve as a reservoir for the clam pathogen, Quahog Parasite X (a protozoan), and might provide an ecological link between the parasite and its host. Maille is now working as a post-doctoral fellow in my laboratory (see above).

Mr. Binglin Li,  B.S. Xiamen University, Fujian Province, China; M.S. Oceanography, University of Connecticut (graduated summer 2006).  Binglin's research demonstrated that transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), which are abundant in the marine environment and can form from dissolved organic precursors, enhance the formation of marine aggregates. Using methods developed by Heinonen and McKee (see below), Binglin collected TEP from mussels and tunicates and demonstrated that these compounds do enhance particle aggregation. His laboratory results suggest that suspension feeders play a role in aggregation processes in coastal waters, and provide new information concerning populations of suspension-feeders and benthic-pelagic coupling. Binglin is now working on a PhD in the Department of Oceanography, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa

Ms. Kari Heinonen,  B.S. Biology, Eastern Connecticut State University; M.S. Oceanography, University of Connecticut (graduated summer 2004).   Kari's research complemented and extended the results obtained by Mike McKee (see below) and focused on the release of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) by benthic suspension feeders. Her results demonstrated that a number of benthic suspension feeders, including scallops, slipper snails, mussels and tunicates significantly contribute to the TEP pool. Kari is now working on a PhD with Dr. Peter Auster in the Department of Marine Sciences.

Mr. Michael McKee,  B.A. Zoology and Anthropology, Miami University; M.S. Oceanography, University of Connecticut (graduated spring 2001).   Mike's research examined the release of TEP by the oyster, Crassostrea virginica, blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, and several species of soft corals. His results demonstrated that oysters release significant quantities of TEP into the environment. Mike worked for the National Undersea Research Center (NOAA) and now works for Battelle Labs.

Dr. Lisa Milke,  B.S. Biology, Salisbury State University; B.S. Environmental Marine Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; M.S. Oceanography, University of Connecticut (graduated spring 2001).   Lisa's research focused on the transport and handling of particles within the pallial cavity of two species of bivalves: Mytilus edulis, and Crassostrea virginica. Her work examined how particle handling in the pallial cavity changed when the bivalves were exposed to particulate diets of different quality and concentration. Lisa finished a PhD at Dalhousie University (Canada) with Dr. Monica Bricelj, and now works as a research scientist at the NMFS Laboratory in Milford, CT.

FORMER POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW
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Dr. Kevin Strychar,  B.S. Marine Biology, University of New Brunswick; M.S. Marine Biology/Microbiology, University of New Brunswick; Ph.D. Marine Molecular Biology/Biochemistry, Central Queensland University.  Kevin's research focused on nutrient dynamics and phytoplankton assemblages in Long Island Sound. This research was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Gary Wikfors (Milford NMFS), and funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA - USA). Kevin is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology, Texas A&M, Corpus Christi.

FORMER UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
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Ms. Gina Ralph,  B.S. Coastal Studies, University of Connecticut (graduated). Gina worked in my laboratory as a summer research intern, funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (summers 2006, 2007). She not only helped with laboratory research involving the ecology of bivalve diseases, but also completed an honors research project on the oyster disease Dermo.

Ms. Meaghan Cosker,  B.S. Biological Sciences, University of Connecticut (graduated). Meaghan worked with us as a summer research intern, funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, Integrative Biology Program (summer 2006). She assisted with laboratory research on the physiology of bivalve feeding.

Ms. Katie Levasseur,  B.S. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut (graduated). Katie worked in my laboratory as a summer research intern, funded by the National Science Foundation (summer 2005). Katie worked with us on the ecology of two diseases of bivalves, QPX and Dermo.

Ms. Cheryl Danis,  Non-matriculated, University of Connecticut. Cheryl worked in my laboratory as a summer research intern, funded by the National Science Foundation (summer 2005). She assisted us with laboratory research on the physiology of bivalve feeding.

Mr. Dustin Kach,  B.S. Coastal Studies, University of Connecticut (graduated). Dustin worked in my laboratory as a summer research intern, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (summer 2002, 2003, 2004). Dustin also completed an independent research project with me in the fall of 2003. His research focused on differences in phytoplankton assemblages in the eastern, central, and western Long Island Sound. Dustin began graduate studies in my lab in January 2005.

Ms. Kristen Barrett,  Junior, Coastal Studies, University of Connecticut. Kristen worked in my laboratory as a summer research intern, funded by the National Science Foundation (summer 2004). For her research she examined the uptake of phytoplankton by the slipper snail, Crepidula fornicata.

Ms. Lisa (Le) Ewert,  Southampton College, LIU (graduated). Le worked in my laboratory as a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates fellow, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF-REU), Division of Ocean Sciences (summer, 2000). Her research project focused on the effects of "China" clay and silt on the feeding behavior and physiology of benthic suspension feeders.

Ms. Kristen Murphy,  The College of William & Mary (graduated). Kristen worked in my laboratory as an NSF-REU, CAREER/Ocean Sciences (summer, 2000). Her research project focused on: 1. predator-prey Interactions between juvenile fishes and nudibranchs, and 2. the influence of suspended food quality and quantity on the feeding responses of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica.

Ms. Nicholanna (Nicky) Halladay,  Salisbury State University (graduated). Nicky worked in my laboratory as an NSF-REU, CAREER/Ocean Sciences (summer, 1999). Her research project focused on the influence of suspended food quality and quantity on the feeding and digestive responses of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica.

Ms. Kerri Bentkowski,  Salisbury State University (graduated). Kerri worked in my laboratory as an NSF-REU, Division of Ocean Sciences. Her research focused on the effects of water viscosity on particle capture in marine mussels (Mytilus edulis).

Ms. Heather Small,  Salisbury State University (graduated). Heather completed an honors research project in my laboratory (1996-1997). Her research examined the symbiotic relationship between the polychaete worm, Polydora websteri, and the oyster, Crassostrea virginica.

OTHERS
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"Babs",  Undeclared,  Babs was traded from the Chicago Bulls to the University of Connecticut to play on the women's basketball team. She is interested in marine biology and makes occasional appearances in my laboratory. Someday, Babs hopes to back-pack through Europe (with a very small back-pack).

Note: Research material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association. Any opinions, findings and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of these agencies