People Directory - School of Marine Sciences - University of Maine /marine/people/ University of Maine Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:03:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 Christopher Abbandonato /marine/people/christopher-abbandonato/ Wed, 05 Sep 2018 14:47:05 +0000 /marine/?post_type=um_people&p=7181

·¡»å³Ü³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýÌýUniversity of New Brunswick at Fredericton Advisor: ÌýDr.ÌýYong Chen and Dr. Brian Beal Email Address:Ìý chrisistopher.abbandonato@maine.edu Phone: Ìý506.261.1554 ³¢´Ç³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýÌý Website: Ìý Research: ÌýMy research interests are in mathematical biology and ecology modeling andÌýin particular the study of the species distribution of the population of green crabs, researching the effects of green crab on the population […]

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·¡»å³Ü³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýÌýUniversity of New Brunswick at Fredericton

Advisor: ÌýDr.ÌýYong Chen and Dr. Brian Beal

Email Address:Ìý chrisistopher.abbandonato@maine.edu

Phone: Ìý506.261.1554

³¢´Ç³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýÌý

Website:

Ìý

Research: ÌýMy research interests are in mathematical biology and ecology modeling andÌýin particular the study of the species distribution of the population of green crabs, researching the effects of green crab on the population dynamics of soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria) in coastal Maine; identifying different potential factors such as climate variability and predator-prey interactions.

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Cheyenne Adams /marine/people/cheyenne-adams/ Mon, 27 Jun 2016 19:56:41 +0000 /marine/?post_type=um_people&p=469

Contact Information Email: cheyenne.adams@maine.edu Advisor:Ìý Drs. Paul Rawson and Larry Mayer Education M.S. Marine Biology, University of Maine, 2018 B.S. Zoology and Environmental Biology, Southern Illinois University, 2014 Description I am interested in ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry, especially in the light of our changing climate.Ìý I am deeply motivated to preserve the natural world, which […]

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Contact Information

Email: cheyenne.adams@maine.edu

Advisor:Ìý Drs. Paul Rawson and Larry Mayer

Education

M.S. Marine Biology, University of Maine, 2018
B.S. Zoology and Environmental Biology, Southern Illinois University, 2014

Description

I am interested in ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry, especially in the light of our changing climate.Ìý I am deeply motivated to preserve the natural world, which includes both personal education and the use of a scientific toolbox in conservation efforts.

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Katherine Allen /marine/people/katherine-allen/ Mon, 16 May 2022 21:06:04 +0000 /marine/?post_type=um_people&p=8658

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Brian Alper /marine/people/brian-alper/ Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:03:04 +0000 /marine/?post_type=um_people&p=9419

Contact Information Email: brian.alper@maine.edu Advisor: Dr. Walt Golet Education B.A. in Marine Science with minors in Applied Mathematics and Aquaculture & Aquarium Sciences, University of New England Biography Areas of Interest: movement and feeding ecology, along with age, growth, and life history of highly migratory species Proposed Research: the development of epigenetic aging techniques on […]

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Contact Information

Email: brian.alper@maine.edu

Advisor: Dr. Walt Golet

Education

B.A. in Marine Science with minors in Applied Mathematics and Aquaculture & Aquarium Sciences, University of New England

Biography

Areas of Interest: movement and feeding ecology, along with age, growth, and life history of highly migratory species

Proposed Research: the development of epigenetic aging techniques on blue marlin, white marlin, and swordfish

Brian Alper is a masters student in the Pelagic Fisheries Lab (PFL) under the guidance of Dr. Walt Golet. Brian received his B.S. in marine sciences at the University of New England (UNE), where his undergraduate research centered around the geochemistry and microstructure of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) otoliths and scales. Following graduation, Brian worked as a technician at the PFL collecting and processing biological samples from the commercial Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT) fishery. Afterwards, he moved out to California where he worked as an otolith specialist at the Otolith Geochemistry and Fish Ecology Laboratory (OGFL) at the University of California, Davis. In this role, he headed various projects on the age, growth, and life history of longfin (SpirinchusÌýthaleichthys) and delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus). In January of 2025, Brian made his return to the Northeast and the PFL as a masters student, researching age and growth of highly migratory pelagic species. His current project focuses on developing epigenetic aging techniques for various billfish including swordfish (Xiphias gladius), blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), and white marlin (Kajikia albida).

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Catlin Ames /marine/people/catlin-ames/ Tue, 19 Jul 2016 15:03:39 +0000 /marine/?post_type=um_people&p=1198

Contact Information Phone:Ìý Email:Ìýcatlin.ames@maine.edu Address:Ìý Advisor: ÌýDr.ÌýGayle Zydlewski Education PhD, University of Maine, M.S. Auburn University, 2016 B.S. Georgia College and State University, 2009, Description I received my PhD at the University of Maine Marine Biology program.Ìý My interests are focused on conservation ecology of aquatic species.Ìý These include habitat use, population dynamics, ecosystem services […]

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Contact Information

Phone:Ìý

Email:Ìýcatlin.ames@maine.edu

Address:Ìý

Advisor: ÌýDr.ÌýGayle Zydlewski

Education

PhD, University of Maine, M.S. Auburn University, 2016
B.S. Georgia College and State University, 2009,

Description

I received my PhD at the University of Maine Marine Biology program.Ìý My interests are focused on conservation ecology of aquatic species.Ìý These include habitat use, population dynamics, ecosystem services and life histories of non-game species.
When studying environmental science at Georgia College and State University, I had the fortune to work with the invertebrate underdogs, crayfish, and garnered a passion for the aquatic realm.Ìý I then moved on to a M.S. position studying crayfish, freshwater mussels, and fiddler crabs at Auburn University.Ìý Upon graduation, I worked as a large river ecologist for the Missouri Dept. of Conservation on several projects including habitat use and survivorship of the endangered Pallid sturgeon on the Missouri River.Ìý My time focused in freshwater led me to long for the salt air, and I am now working on my PhD studying Shortnose an Atlantic sturgeon under the direction of Gayle Zydlewski’s lab.Ìý My work will utilize capture-recapture methods to ascertain population sizes, health, dynamics, and habitat preferences of these endangered species.

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Paul Anderson /marine/people/paul-anderson/ Wed, 26 Oct 2016 15:30:49 +0000 /marine/?post_type=um_people&p=3930

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Alexander Ascher /marine/people/alexander-ascher/ Wed, 05 Sep 2018 14:55:21 +0000 /marine/?post_type=um_people&p=7184

Education: ÌýBoston University, 2017 Advisor: ÌýDr.ÌýRichard Wahle Email Address: Ìýascher.alex@gmail.com Phone: Ìý207.585.957.0531 Location:Ìý Darling Marine Center Website: Ìý Research:ÌýÌýI did my undergraduate work at Boston University, where I graduated with honors in Marine science. At BU I found my love of research and ecology, and finished my senior year by completing a thesis project on […]

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Education: ÌýBoston University, 2017

Advisor: ÌýDr.ÌýRichard Wahle

Email Address: Ìýascher.alex@gmail.com

Phone: Ìý207.585.957.0531

Location:Ìý Darling Marine Center

Website:

Ìý

Research:ÌýÌýI did my undergraduate work at Boston University, where I graduated with honors in Marine science. At BU I found my love of research and ecology, and finished my senior year by completing a thesis project on the factors which influence speciation in coral reef fish. After graduation I worked for a year as a Northeast Fisheries Observer, recording data on commercial fishing vessels. This was a great place for me to gain field experience to supplement the lab experience I already had. I feel that research is strongest when you are able to incorporate both lab and field data. As I work on my PhD with Dr. Wahle, I strive to continue gaining research experience and furthering my career as a marine scientist.

Current research: Investigating whether there is an effect of maternal size on egg and larval quality in
the American Lobster, and whether there is a correlation between lobster larvae
abundance and the zooplankton assemblage for a given year.

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Riley Austin /marine/people/riley-austin/ Wed, 05 Sep 2018 14:59:10 +0000 /marine/?post_type=um_people&p=7186

Education:Ìý MS Candidate, Marine Biology, University of New England, BS, Marine Sciences, 2017 Advisor: ÌýDr.ÌýWalt Golet Email Address: Ìýriley.austin@maine.edu Phone:Ìý Ìý814.596.7003 Location:Ìý Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Rm 213 Website:Ìý http://www.gmri.org   Ìý Research: ÌýMy research interests include ecology, physiology, and population dynamics of commercially and recreationally important species. My current research focuses on the […]

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Education:Ìý MS Candidate, Marine Biology, University of New England, BS, Marine Sciences, 2017

Advisor: ÌýDr.ÌýWalt Golet

Email Address: Ìýriley.austin@maine.edu

Phone:Ìý Ìý814.596.7003

Location:Ìý Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Rm 213

Website:Ìý

 

Ìý

Research: ÌýMy research interests include ecology, physiology, and population dynamics of commercially and recreationally important species. My current research focuses on the foraging ecology, age, and growth of bigeye and yellowfin tuna in the northwest Atlantic Ocean.

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Stephanie Ayres /marine/people/stephanie-ayres/ Mon, 27 Jun 2016 20:05:50 +0000 /marine/?post_type=um_people&p=474 Contact Information Phone:Ìý207.581.4348 Email:Ìýstephanie.ayres@maine.edu Advisor: Drs. Lee Karp-Boss and Pete Jumars Education B.S. in Marine Science at University of South Carolina, 2013 Description Physical Oceanography

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Contact Information

Phone:Ìý207.581.4348

Email:Ìýstephanie.ayres@maine.edu

Advisor: Drs. Lee Karp-Boss and Pete Jumars

Education

B.S. in Marine Science at University of South Carolina, 2013

Description

Physical Oceanography

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Frank Balla /marine/people/frank-balla/ Fri, 10 Dec 2021 16:41:29 +0000 /marine/?post_type=um_people&p=8524

Contact Information Phone: 484-354-3599 Email:Ìýfrank.balla@maine.edu Advisor:ÌýDr. Walter Golet Education Professional Science Masters (PSM) Marine Policy, University of Maine, current B.S. Wildlife Conservation & Management, Delaware Valley University Description I’m a professional science masters (PSM) student here at 91¸£Àû since starting in 2021. Before coming to Maine I worked professionally as a recreational and commercial deckhand […]

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Contact Information

Phone: 484-354-3599

Email:Ìýfrank.balla@maine.edu

Advisor:ÌýDr. Walter Golet

Education

Professional Science Masters (PSM) Marine Policy, University of Maine, current
B.S. Wildlife Conservation & Management, Delaware Valley University

Description

I’m a professional science masters (PSM) student here at 91¸£Àû since starting in 2021. Before coming to Maine I worked professionally as a recreational and commercial deckhand for various different forms of fishing vessels along the entire Eastern Seaboard. While spending over 8000 hours in the last 5 years at sea, I gained a better understanding from the perspective of stakeholders towards fisheries management. I have interest in working professionally in the field of marine policy and or natural resource management from Maine to Texas following graduation.

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