Margaret Sexton

Dr. Margaret Sexton is a Research Assistant Professor of Biological Oceanography at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). She serves as the Assistant Director and Deputy Center Director of the NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (LMRCSC). She earned a Ph.D. in Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Science from the University of Maryland (2012) and a B.S. in Marine Science and Biology from Coastal Carolina University (2003).

Her research focuses on the biology and ecology of gelatinous zooplankton, particularly early life stages of Chrysaora quinquecirrha (sea nettle) in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland Coastal Bays. Her work investigates environmental drivers of population variability, including temperature effects on medusae.

Her sole publication (2010) examines physiological responses of jellyfish to cold stress, reflecting expertise in experimental marine ecology and climate adaptation.

She holds key administrative roles in the NOAA-LMRCSC, supporting educational programs and research coordination.