Coastal Disease Ecology

Principal Investigator

Whether you are a MS or PhD student who is just starting, nearing the end, or have already completed your degree, there are a number of graduate student and postdoctoral fellowship opportunities at the Smithsonian Institution that offer both stipends and research funds to pursue questions related to parasite and disease ecology. 

We are interested in candidates who are interested in addressing research questions on a wide range of topics within the fields of parasite and disease ecology in coastal environments. We are a highly collaborative group, so research questions that span disciplines and have additional advisors are welcome. To discuss potential proposal ideas, please contact Katrina Lohan (lohank@si.edu).

Smithsonian Institution Postdoctoral Fellowships relevant to our research include:
 

Current Graduate Students and Postdocs

Isabella Molatore

M.S. Student, University of Maryland Baltimore County; ICARE Program

Current Research: Isabella's research involves using eDNA techniques to assess the distribution and diversity of invasive fish in the Middle Branch area of the Patapsco River. She is generating the genetic libraries from these eDNA samples in the Coastal Disease Lab. She will then compare the results from the seasonal water sampling with interviews from local fishers to see what species are present vs. what fishers are targeting and catching in these waters. 

Advisor: Dr. Tamra Mendelson; Committee: Dr. Eric Schott, Dr. Katrina Lohan

Karson Burton-Reeder
M.S. Student, University of the Pacific

Current Research: Karson's research utilizes a series of metabolic markers to characterize multiple shark species that were sampled in Tampa Bay, Florida. As many shark species are highly endangered, Karson's research will provide critical information about how these sharks are coping with stress in increasing impacted oceans.

Advisor: Dr. Jane Khudyakov; Committee: Dr. Zachary Stahlschmidt, Dr. Katrina Lohan

Lael Collins

M.S. Candidate, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Current Research: Lael's research is exploring the factors that influence mysid populations, including abiotic factors such as diel cycling, and biotic factors, such as diet. In the Coastal Disease Ecology Lab, Lael is using amplicon-based genetic methods to examine the gut contents of mysids collected from the Patuxent River to determine what these mysids are eating.

Advisor: Dr. Mike Wilburg; Committee Members: Dr. Ryan Woodland, Dr. Katrina Lohan

Gabriel da Costa Soares Pereira
M.S. Candidate, Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal (2022 - 2024)
 
Current Research: Gabriel's research is exploring the impact of parasitism on ecosystem function, specifically if infection with digenean trematode changes the ability of clams to move nutrients from the water column to the benthos. 
 
Co-advisors: Dr. Luísa Magalhães (Universidade de Aveiro), Dr. Katrina Lohan (SERC)
 
Leone Yisrael 
Ph.D. Student, Johns Hopkins University (2020 – 2025)
B.S. Marine Biology, Louisiana State University, 2018
M.S. Ocean Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, 2019
 
Current Research: I study how microbial symbionts alleviate the impacts of environmental stressors on estuarine organisms, thus permitting them to survive in otherwise uninhabitable spaces. I am using the Atlantic brief squid and its microbiome as a model system to explore these interactions. I conduct genetic and fieldwork at SERC through the Coastal Disease Ecology Lab while pursuing a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography at the Johns Hopkins University.
 
Co-advisors: Drs. Anand Gnanadesikan (Johns Hopkins University), Katrina Lohan (SERC)
 

 

Former Graduate Students and Postdocs

Dr. Alexandria Murphy (MPH, University of Florida, 2018-2019) 

Calli Wise
M.S. Student, Frostburg State University (2019 – 2021)
B.S. Wildlife Conservation, Juniata College, 2017
 
Current Research: I study river otters in the Chesapeake Bay sub-estuary around SERC. I monitor river otter latrines, collect scats, and analyze the scats with metabarcoding and microscopy to learn about river otter diet and parasites. I conduct fieldwork at SERC through the Coastal Disease Ecology Lab while pursuing an Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology M.S. at Frostburg State University.
 
Co-advisors: Drs. Thomas Serfass (FSU), Katrina Lohan (SERC)
Contact: wiseca@si.edu
 
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Postdoctoral Fellow 2019 - present
(co-advised by Dr. Ruiz in Marine Invasions Research Lab)
Smithsonian Burch Postdoctoral Fellow 2019- 2020
Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, Northeastern University
B.A. Biology, French, Wesleyan University
 
Current Research: I examine 1) the ability of populations and communities of micro- and macroorganisms to recover from disturbance by novel stressors, 2) the potential for biodiversity at all levels to buffer stressors, and 3) the importance of including pathogens in biodiversity monitoring and assessment to improve conservation.