Meghan Brown

Meghan Brown is a Professor of Biology and Chair of Aquatic Science at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS), where she has been a faculty member since 2006. Her research focuses on aquatic ecology, invasion biology, and paleolimnology, with fieldwork spanning the Finger Lakes, Lake Superior, Lago Maggiore (Italy), and the Caribbean islands. She employs interdisciplinary methods including sediment core analysis, field observations, and modeling to study invasive species dynamics.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Minnesota
• M.S., University of Minnesota
• B.S., University of Michigan

Her research interests center on understanding how non-native species establish in ecosystems and alter ecological processes, particularly in lakes and island communities. She investigates the impacts of invasive zooplankton such as the spiny waterflea, fishhook waterflea, and bloody red shrimp, focusing on their interactions with native species, dormancy strategies, and role in biomagnification of pollutants like mercury. Her work integrates ecological theory with real-world management applications, especially regarding prevention of species spread through boating and tourism.

Her recent publications reveal a strong trend in studying invasive species' ecological impacts using both contemporary and historical data. She frequently employs paleolimnology to reconstruct long-term environmental changes and combines this with behavioral and physiological studies. Her work increasingly incorporates human dimensions, such as tourism-driven plant invasions in the Caribbean and community perspectives on water quality in Guatemala.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Fulbright Research Scholar
• Fulbright-Hays Group Study Abroad Program Co-Director
• Principal Investigator, National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Program
• Recipient of grants from the Great Lakes Protection Fund and US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Co-Principal Investigator, New York Six Liberal Arts Consortium, Mellon Foundation

Meghan Brown is a dedicated mentor, having supervised numerous undergraduate research projects in ecology and environmental studies. Her advising spans topics from leaf decomposition to eDNA detection of invasive species. She is actively involved in science communication and policy outreach, advocating for 'Clean, Drain, and Dry' practices to prevent species spread. She also contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives, including collaborations with fiction writers to create scientifically accurate ecological worlds, such as in Jeff VanderMeer’s novel Hummingbird Salamander.

Laboratories and Research Teams:
She leads a vibrant research lab at HWS involving undergraduate students and collaborators from multiple institutions. Her team uses field sampling, laboratory experiments, and data modeling to investigate ecological questions. She is part of the Finger Lakes Institute and collaborates with scientists across the US and internationally, including in Italy and Cuba.