Faculty Listed by Foundation
Environmental Molecular Science & Technology
Neil V. Blough (*currently not accepting students)
neilb@umd.edu
web site
Methods for detecting and identifying free radicals in condensed phases; impact of (photo)oxidative reactions on the transformation and fate of organic & inorganic compounds in natural waters and biological systems
Som Chatterjee
schatterjee@umaryland.edu
web site
Decipher the biological basis for pathogenic of S. aureus using a wide variety of molecular biology, genomic, biochemical, and immunological approaches; study beta-lactam drug resistant phenotypes and genotypes through proteomics and genomics; explore non-canonical (novel) targets responsible for beta-lactam resistance in S. aureus to re-sensitize resistant bacteria to beta-lactam drugs; explore novel approaches, such as developing nano-bodies, to treat staphylococcal infections.
Feng Chen (*currently not accepting students)
chenf@umces.edu
web site
Ecological interaction among marine viruses, bacteria and phytoplankton; phylogenetic diversity and molecular evolution of marine microbes; whole cell or in situ molecular detection; functional genes and microbial genome
J. Sook Chung
chung@umces.edu
web site
Response of crustaceans to the neurotransmitter, neurohormones and pheromones that regulate critical events in the life cycle
Kathleen Cusick
kcusick@umbc.edu
web site
Microbial ecology of coastal marine systems, with an emphasis on saxitoxin-producing harmful algal bloom ecology and evolution using a combination of genetics, genomics, and transcriptomics
Kausik Das
kdas@umes.edu
Understanding of the capillary and wetting dynamics on under-sea bio-solid substrates, the role of viscous bio-films on contact line dynamics to reveal the micro-scale information of the under-liquid wetting transition, and use it into developing macroscopic tools and techniques to i) develop tools for characterization of under-water pollutant plumes and its impact on marine ecosystems; ii)Develop surfaces which will simultaneously behave as superhydrophobic (water repellant) and superleophobic (oil repellant); (iii) Develop efficient under-water structures with antifouling properties; iv) Develop novel micro-fluidic devices for mixing/demixing.
Shao-Jun (Jim) Du
sdu@som.umaryland.edu
web site
Cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling differentiation of muscle and nerve cells during embryogenesi
Russell T. Hill (*currently not accepting students)
hillr@umces.edu
web site
Marine microbiology focused on symbiosis between bacteria and marine invertebrates. Symbiotic bacteria associated with marine micro algae with potential in biofuels production and carbon sequestration.
Rosemary Jagus (*currently not accepting students)
jagus@umces.edu
web site
Translational control of gene expression; regulation of gene activity during early development; host defense against virus infection and viral countermeasures; role of protein synthesis in lactation
Madan Kharel (*currently not accepting students)
mkkharel@umes.edu
web site
Our lab seeks to identify bioactive natural products from marine resources. Our focus is to explore their potential applications both as therapeutics or their significance at local ecosystems. We utilize molecular biology, synthetic biology and bioorganic chemistry techniques to address research questions.
Yantao Li
yantao@umces.edu
web site
My research program aims to understand abiotic and biotic interactions of microalgae with the environment, and the molecular mechanisms regulating carbon assimilation and lipid biosynthesis during those interactions.
Sairah Malkin
smalkin@umces.edu
web site
Biogeochemistry and microbial ecology, particularly in sediment environments; benthic ecology; coastal and large lakes ecology. Current projects are investigating the ecology of sulfur oxidizing bacteria in coastal marine systems.
Carys Mitchelmore
mitchelm@umces.edu
web site
Investigating molecular, biochemical and cellular responses of aquatic organisms to inorganic and organic pollutants; determining species-specificity; biochemical pathways and toxic effects; applying and developing novel biomarkers to existing and emerging environmental problems
Allen Place (*currently not accepting students)
place@umces.edu
web site
Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that permit organisms to adapt to unique diets, environments, and interactions (symbiosis); genomics of toxic dinoflagellates; and using aragonite to mitigate agricultural nutrient production
Louis V. Plough
lplough@umces.edu
web site
Population genetics of marine animals, quantitative genetics and experimental breeding of shellfish; oyster biology and aquaculture; ecological genomics of stress adaptation in marine animals; larval biology of marine invertebrates
Joseph Pitula
jspitula@umes.edu
web site
PFAS contamination of environmental sites and its biological impacts
Eric Schott
schott@umces.edu
web site
The Schott lab research focuses on understanding aquatic health in two main areas: the discovery and tracking of estuarine pathogens in the blue crab and other shellfish and the health of urban estuaries for living resources and people. Dr. Schott collaborates with numerous researchers and stakeholders, applying molecular methods to study the health of fisheries and describe the biodiversity of Baltimore Harbor.
Harold Schreier (*currently not accepting students)
schreier@umbc.edu
web site
Microbial molecular genetics and physiology; nitrogen metabolism in Bacillus subtilis; control of glutamine synthease operon expression; regulation of gene expression
Kevin R. Sowers
sowers@umbc.edu
web site
Biology of methanogenesis; anaerobic bioremediation; regulatory pathways in methanogenic Archaea; bioprocess scale-up of microorganisms from extreme environments.
Alba Torrents
alba@eng.umd.edu
web site
Chemical transformations and sorption of organic pollutants; environmental fate of toxic chemicals; applications of spectroscopic techniques to environmental systems
Allison Tracy (*currently not accepting students)
amtracy@umbc.edu
web site
I am a community ecologist studying the impact of the environment on species interactions. I'm especially interested in the ecology and evolution of disease, spatial ecology, and the role of habitat-forming foundation species in ecosystems.
My research focuses on marine health and disease, with a focus on Chesapeake Bay organisms and ecosystems. I study the ecology of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, including the reef habitat they form, the impact of restoration and management, and species interactions. Chesapeake Bay oysters are a well-studied system for understanding marine disease, which serves as a strong foundation for my work on host-parasite interactions. The other branch of my research focuses on co-infection, immunity, and environmental drivers on corals reefs in Puerto Rico. Understanding and conserving foundation species is a uniting theme of my work.
Gerardo R. Vasta
GVasta@som.umaryland.edu
web site
Molecular aspects and evolution of the acute phase response in vertebrates and invertebrates; structure/function relationships in carbohydrate-binding proteins; role of lectins in development and internal defense; host/parasite interactions; disease prevention, control in fisheries
Victoria Volkis
vvolkis@umes.edu
web site (under construction)
Natural plants in antifouling protection, the science of biofilm formation and prevention, polymeric resins for extraction of antioxidants, natural pants incapsulated into biodegradable polymers as natural pesticides.
Yan Waguespack
yywaguespack@umes.edu
web site
Lethal and sublethal responses of early life-stages of winter flounder to habitat contamination in their natal estuaries; sublethal physiological effects of heavy metal on ecologically key marine and aquatic organisms by using 31P NMR, AAS and ICP-AES; characterization of high molecular weight mucin-like glycoconjugates from fish models; heavy metal and polyaromatic hydrocarbon investigations on sediment along Maryland coastal bay, and heavy metal contaminants' effect on SAV plant along Maryland coastal bay; phyto remediation of TNT, DNT and other contaminants
Justine Whitaker
jwhitaker@umes.edu
web site
I use molecular tools to answer ecological and evolutionary questions about imperiled and invasive species.
Ten-Tsao Wong
wong@umbc.edu
web site
Molecular, cellular and applied aspects of fish germ cell biology, reproductive physiology and vaccine development
Stephanie Yarwood (*currently not accepting students)
syarwood@umd.edu
website
Microbial interactions and functioning in soils, with the overall goal of understanding environmental factors that affect microbial community composition and how microbial community structure in turn affects ecosystem function; examination of how subsurface microbial communities change during soil formation and how microbial communities vary due to anthropogenic disturbance.
Yonathan Zohar
zohar@umbc.edu
web site
Fish physiology, aquaculture and endocrinology; environmental and hormonal regulation of fish reproductive cycles, spawning induction technologies, drug delivery in aquaculture, molecular biotechnology