Find Academic Supervisors

Iain McKechnieView profile

Associate Professor

• Coastal Archaeology
• Zooarchaeology
• Historical Ecology
• +3 more

Dr. Iain McKechnie is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Victoria, where he directs the Historical Ecology & Coastal Archaeology (HECA) Lab and the UVic Zooarchaeology Lab . His research integrates coastal archaeology, zooarchaeology, and historical ecology to examine Indigenous fisheries, marine conservation, and human-environment interactions on the Northwest Coast. He collaborates extensively with First Nations communities and institutions like the Hakai Institute and Parks Canada. Education: PhD in Anthropology (University of British Columbia) MA in Archaeology (Simon Fraser University) BA in Anthropology (University of California, Santa Cruz) Dr. McKechnie's research focuses on coastal archaeology , zooarchaeology , and historical ecology , emphasizing the role of archaeological data in supporting Indigenous knowledge and marine conservation. His work investigates long-term sustainability in fisheries, Indigenous resource management, and the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems. He employs interdisciplinary methods, including ancient DNA analysis and geospatial modeling, to reconstruct historical ecological dynamics. His publications reveal a consistent emphasis on Indigenous fisheries , marine historical ecology , and collaborative conservation . Recent articles explore topics ranging from ancient genomics of Coast Salish woolly dogs to paleothermometry in fisheries, highlighting trends in climate adaptation, biodiversity governance, and ethical research partnerships with Indigenous communities. Grants and Collaborations: McKechnie's research is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Mitacs, Parks Canada, the Hakai Institute, and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. He works with multiple First Nations on heritage management and environmental policy. He co-directs the HECA Lab, which engages graduate students in climate change and heritage projects, and the UVic Zooarchaeology Lab, housing over 2,980 animal skeletons for osteological research. Additionally, he holds affiliate positions at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and co-organizes international conferences like the International Council of Archaeozoology (ICAZ) 2027.

• Ecology
• Marine Biology
• Oceanography
• +3 more

MARIA CRISTINA SOBRINO GARCIA is a full-time researcher at the University of Vigo , affiliated with the Faculty of Marine Sciences and Marine Research Center . Her work focuses on marine ecology and biological oceanography. Doctorate : University of Cádiz (2002) - Thesis on UV radiation and CO2 effects on marine microalgae Research Focus : Climate change impacts on marine ecosystems, ocean acidification, phytoplankton physiology, UV radiation effects, and biogeochemical cycles Her recent publications analyze organophosphate esters dynamics, transparent exopolymer particles, and plankton responses to climate change. Key awards include the SCAR Prince of Asturias Fellowship . She collaborates on global oceanographic expeditions like Malaspina 2010.

Maureen KrauseView profile

Associate Professor

• Marine Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Immune Defense Mechanisms
• +4 more

Maureen Krause is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology at Hofstra University. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying immune defense, biochemistry, and genetic variation in marine bivalve shellfish, with applications to aquaculture and fisheries management. She teaches courses in Molecular Techniques, Cell Biology, and General Biology II. Research Interests: Dr. Krause investigates how genetic variation in metabolic and immune defense genes influences organismal fitness, particularly in species like bay scallops ( Argopecten irradians ) and oysters. Her work integrates molecular ecology, biochemistry, and population genetics to address ecological and applied questions. Recent studies explore stress response pathways in hemocytes, parasite detection in shellfish, and enzyme substrate specificity. Professional Roles: As Chair of the Biology Department and Graduate Program Director, she oversees academic programs and faculty governance. She collaborates with institutions on aquaculture and conservation projects, emphasizing genetic tools for species management. Lab & Research: Her lab at Hofstra employs molecular techniques to study genetic diversity, enzyme function, and disease resistance in marine organisms. Current projects include analyzing CSDE1 gene regulation under stress and developing diagnostic methods for shellfish parasites.

Juliet WongView profile

Assistant Professor

• Climate Change
• Marine Biology
• Ecology
• +5 more

Dr. Juliet Wong is an Assistant Professor at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, based at the Duke University Marine Lab. Her research focuses on understanding how marine invertebrates respond to climate change through physiological and molecular approaches. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and completed postdoctoral training at Florida International University as a Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholar and an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Her work integrates interdisciplinary methods to study organismal responses to environmental changes, emphasizing resilience promotion through collaborations with practitioners, managers, and stakeholders. Research interests include climate change ecology, marine conservation, and the application of epigenetic tools to inform restoration strategies. Key achievements include NSF fellowship awards and leadership in the Wong Lab, which emphasizes student training and partnerships across sectors. Recent activities include presenting at the EPIMAR 2025 symposium and mentoring students like Emma Johnson (PhD) and Lily Zhang (Master’s). Education: Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara (2019) Lab Focus: Marine invertebrate resilience, climate adaptation, and interdisciplinary conservation strategies Awards: NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholar Publications span organismal biology, ecology, and evolution, with applied outcomes in resource management and restoration.

Rachel E. DinerView profile

Assistant Professor

• Ecotoxicology
• Aquatic Animal Microbiomes
• Marine and Aquatic Pathogens
• +6 more

Rachel E. Diner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Memphis. Her research focuses on the impacts of pollution and environmental change on host-microbe systems, particularly in aquatic environments, using marine and freshwater animals like oysters as model organisms. She integrates fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and computational approaches, with a strong emphasis on high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing datasets. Education B.S. in Biology, University of Georgia J.D. in Coastal Environmental Law and Policy, University of San Diego School of Law M.S. in Marine Biology, San Francisco State University Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego Dr. Diner's research interests include ecotoxicology, aquatic animal microbiomes, marine pathogens, environmental change, aquaculture, and food safety and security. Her work seeks to apply microbial insights to solve environmental challenges, such as bioremediation and coastal restoration, while improving public health. Her recent publications highlight trends in microbial responses to pollution, host-microbe interactions in aquatic systems, and environmental genomics. Key themes include understanding how microbiomes mitigate pollution, track pathogens, and adapt to climate change. Dr. Diner is committed to mentoring and providing science access to underrepresented groups. Her lab includes undergraduate researchers and focuses on fostering an inclusive academic environment. She also emphasizes collaborative research and welcomes prospective students and postdocs.

• Habitat Restoration
• Aquatic Ecology
• Water Resources
• +4 more

Gulnihal Ozbay is a Professor of Natural Resources and Associate Dean of Cooperative Extension & Applied Research at Delaware State University (DSU). She holds leadership roles as Director of the Integrative Ph.D. Program in Agriculture, Food, & Environmental Sciences and Director of the ONE Health Laboratory. Her academic journey includes a PhD from Auburn University (2002) and additional graduate studies at Dalhousie University (2002), with research focused on water quality, aquaculture, and marine ecology. Her research emphasizes habitat restoration, aquatic health, and sustainable aquaculture, particularly focusing on oyster population recovery and ecosystem dynamics in Delaware’s inland bays. Collaborative projects include oyster gardening restoration, diatom monitoring, and climate change impacts on coastal wetlands. She has received awards such as the 2009 Coastal America Partnership Award and the Morrison-Evans Outstanding Scientist Award. Dr. Ozbay teaches courses like Climatology and Environmental Science, and her work extends to community engagement through extension programs on water quality and sustainable land use. She advises numerous graduate students and actively contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives, including nanotechnology applications in agriculture and CRISPR-based genomic engineering.

• Molecular Microbiology
• Foodborne Illness
• Biodefense
• +2 more

Carisa Davis is a Lecturer at Kean University's Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology. She holds a PhD in Medical Sciences, an MS in Biology, and a BS in Biology. Her research specializes in molecular microbiology, foodborne pathogens, and biodefense strategies. She has developed rapid detection methods using real-time PCR and molecular typing techniques for outbreak investigations. Her current work focuses on pandemic and non-pandemic strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and bacterial transmission pathways. Davis's publications demonstrate consistent focus on pathogen detection, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental microbiology, with recent work expanding into public health applications of microbial transmission.

Charlie HuveneersView profile

Professor

• Marine Biology
• Shark Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• +4 more

Charlie Huveneers is a Professor at Flinders University and Director of the Flinders University Marine and Coastal Research Consortium. He leads the Southern Shark Ecology Group (SSEG), focusing on shark and ray ecology, human interactions, and conservation. He holds a PhD from Macquarie University (2007) and a BSc (Hons) from the University of Southampton (2002). His research emphasizes mitigating shark-human conflicts, assessing shark vulnerability, and improving management strategies. He has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed articles and serves on committees like the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group. Research Interests : Shark ecology, conservation biology, fisheries sciences, behavioral ecology, and the application of technology in marine conservation. His work bridges ecological research with policy, aiming to reduce human-wildlife conflict through evidence-based solutions. Recipient of multiple awards, including the 2023 Flinders Research Impact Award and 2011 Vice-Chancellor Early Career Award. Lead roles in IMOS Animal Tracking and South Australian marine policy advisory committees. Advises on shark bite mitigation for governments and NGOs, with expertise in electric deterrents and public education. Labs/Teams : Directs the Southern Shark Ecology Group and collaborates with global networks like White Sharks Global. Has pioneered the use of acoustic telemetry to track marine species across Australia's east coast.

Abhijeet ShahView profile

Researcher

• Genomics
• Transcriptomics
• Evolutionary Biology
• +5 more

Dr. Abhijeet Shah is a Researcher at the University of Hohenheim, affiliated with the Institute of Animal Sciences within the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. He holds a PhD from Friedrich Schiller University (2020), an MSc from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich (2012), and a BSc from Iowa State University (2009). His research focuses on genomic and transcriptomic analysis of insects and other organisms, with a particular emphasis on evolutionary genomics, large genome architectures, and biomineralization processes. He collaborates with Prof. Dr. Martin Hasselmann and contributes to research networks like the Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research (HoLMiR) and the Competence Center for Biodiversity and Integrative Taxonomy (KomBioTa). His work includes studies on grasshopper genomics, frog life history decoupling, and shellfish biomineralization. Key contributions involve developing methodologies for analyzing complex genomes and transcriptomes, such as high-throughput sequencing and graph-based clustering. Recent research highlights include investigations into genomic repeats in grasshoppers and phylogenetic methodological challenges. Dr. Shah’s expertise spans bioinformatics, comparative genomics, and evolutionary biology. He actively participates in academic events like the 23rd Annual State of the Art Winter Symposium (2023). His research bridges basic science and applied questions in animal genetics, contributing to both theoretical understanding and practical applications in agriculture and marine biology.

• Marine Biotechnology
• Aquaculture Systems
• Microbial Ecology
• +5 more

Hal Schreier is a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He leads research in marine biotechnology, aquaculture systems, and microbial ecology with a focus on symbiotic relationships and environmental biotechnology. His academic roles include teaching and supervising research in microbial communities, probiotic development, and nitrogen cycling processes. Education: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Tufts University Health Sciences Campus (1986), Ph.D. in Microbiology from The Pennsylvania State University (1983), and B.S. in Biological Sciences from California Polytechnic State University (1978). Research Interests: Dr. Schreier's work spans marine microbial ecology, probiotic applications in aquaculture, and microbiome studies in wood-eating fish. He investigates symbiotic microbial communities involved in lignocellulose degradation, nitrogen fixation, and pathogen inhibition. Key contributions include developing probiotic bacterial strains for finfish/shellfish health and optimizing recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Intellectual Contributions: He holds multiple patents including methods for microbial phosphate sequestration in aquaculture systems and anaerobic ammonia oxidation for water treatment. His over 40 publications focus on microbial community dynamics and applied microbiology in aquatic environments. Advising & Grants: While specific student names aren't listed, his research program supports graduate students and postdocs through grants addressing aquaculture sustainability and microbial genomics. He collaborates internationally on projects like the wood-eating catfish microbiome and anammox bacteria in biofilters. Labs/Teams: Active in UMBC's Rita Rossi Colwell Center for Marine Biotechnology and leads microbial ecology projects in the Department of Biological Sciences. His lab focuses on genomic analysis of probiotic strains and environmental microbiome studies.

Yue LiuView profile

Assistant Professor

• Aquatic Germplasm Preservation
• Cryobiology
• Reproductive Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Yue Liu is Assistant Professor of Research and Assistant Director at the Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center within Louisiana State University's College of Agriculture. She holds a Ph.D. in Renewable Natural Resources from LSU (2018), M.S. in Aquaculture from Shanghai Ocean University (2013), and B.S. in Biotechnology from Jiujiang University (2010). Her research program advances interdisciplinary approaches to aquatic germplasm preservation, integrating cryobiology, reproductive physiology, and engineering solutions. Key focus areas include developing open-source technologies for genetic resource management, cryopreservation protocols for endangered species, and 3D-printed devices for biopreservation. Recent publications demonstrate strong emphasis on technological innovation for conservation, particularly microfabricated devices for sperm analysis, automated vitrification systems, and community-based repository development. Her work consistently applies engineering principles to solve challenges in aquatic genetic resource preservation. Significant grant funding includes the LSU LIFT2 project ($75,000) developing novel vitrification technology and collaborations with Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Sciences ($31,750) establishing cryopreservation pathways for amphibians. She leads the Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center, fostering collaborative research in genetic resource management and conservation technology development.

• Molecular Microbial Ecology
• Microplastics and Marine Litter
• Marine Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Gunnar Gerdts is a Researcher at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) within the Shelf Sea System Ecology department at Helgoland Marine Station. His primary research focuses on molecular microbial ecology and microplastics/marine litter, with emphasis on their environmental impacts in coastal and Arctic regions. He actively contributes to the Fram Pollution Observatory, tracking microplastic distribution across marine ecosystems. Responsibilities include membership in the German Havariekommando’s Expert Group on chemical accident consequences and the Max Planck Research School for Marine Microbiology (MarMic). He also participates in the AWI North Sea Office and technical groups related to marine genomics and litter management. Key projects involve analyzing microplastic fluxes in Fram Strait, developing harmonized monitoring protocols (e.g., AMAP guidelines), and investigating microplastic effects on marine organisms. His work bridges laboratory methods (e.g., FTIR imaging) with field observations, emphasizing high-throughput analysis and quality control. Recent studies highlight microplastic prevalence in Arctic snow, deep-sea trenches, and Antarctic waters, underscoring their global dispersal. He collaborates internationally on initiatives like MICROLAKE and the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench studies, advancing understanding of plastic污染 dynamics in diverse marine environments.

Bettina MeyerView profile

Professor

• Marine Biology
• Climate Change Biology
• Ecophysiology
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Bettina Meyer is a Professor at the University of Oldenburg and heads the Ecophysiology of pelagic key species working group at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). Her research focuses on Antarctic krill and other polar pelagic species, investigating their adaptation to climate change, biological clocks, and ecological interactions. She explores how environmental changes impact krill physiology, population dynamics, and ecosystem roles, with emphasis on circadian rhythms and climate-driven mismatches. Meyer advises international bodies like the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) on krill fisheries and conservation. Her work bridges fundamental biology with applied conservation, using field studies, molecular tools, and modeling to predict future ecosystem shifts. Key contributions include understanding krill lifecycle adaptations and their implications for Southern Ocean food webs.

• Marine Ecology
• Coral Reef Conservation
• Environmental Toxicology
• +4 more

Prof. Tinka Murk is a Full Professor at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in Marine Animal Ecology. She holds appointments in WIAS (Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences) and WIMEK (Wageningen Marine Research). Her research focuses on marine ecosystems, including coral reef conservation, elasmobranch behavior, and the impacts of pollutants and anthropogenic activities on marine life. She leads interdisciplinary projects addressing offshore renewable energy infrastructure, marine spatial planning, and biodiversity monitoring using cutting-edge technologies like eDNA metabarcoding. Dr. Murk's research interests span ecological毒理学, environmental risk assessment, and the development of novel bioassays for contaminant detection. She has supervised over 34 PhD candidates, including ongoing projects on coral gardening, sturgeon reintroduction, and the effects of electromagnetic fields on marine species. Her work integrates field studies, laboratory experiments, and computational modeling to address pressing issues in marine conservation and sustainable resource management. Key contributions include advancing molecular biodiversity monitoring techniques, evaluating the ecological impacts of offshore wind farms, and studying historical distributions of endangered sturgeon species. Her findings are disseminated through high-impact publications and media engagements, where she frequently comments on marine environmental policy and emerging risks such as underwater electromagnetic pollution.

• Marine Biology
• Conservation Genetics
• Environmental DNA
• +3 more

Agnes Le Port is a Researcher at James Cook University, specializing in marine biology, conservation genetics, and environmental DNA (eDNA) applications. Her work focuses on ecological restoration, population dynamics, and biodiversity assessment in coastal and tropical marine ecosystems. Key research areas: Marine Conservation, eDNA Technology, Fisheries Management Collaborates with institutions like Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) and CRC Press Recent publications (2024–2012) examine marine restoration, genetic tools for species monitoring, and MPA efficacy Her research integrates molecular ecology and habitat restoration, with applications to endangered species (e.g., sharks, sawfishes) and foundational species like corals and shellfish. Articles highlight methodological advancements (RAD-Seq, eDNA workflows) and ecological insights into dispersal patterns and population connectivity. Agnes contributes to interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly in marine conservation strategies across Australia, New Zealand, and Micronesia. Her work bridges empirical research and practical management frameworks for coastal ecosystems.