Faculty
Dr. Vanessa Beauchamp
Plant ecology, Restoration, Invasive species, Riparian, Wetland, Succession
I am a plant community ecologist and my research looks at deer impacts and forest succession, ecology and impacts of invasive plant species, and restoration of riparian and wetland habitats.
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Dr. Harald Beck
Mammal-plant interaction, Seed dispersal and predation, Impact of
White-tail Deer on Forest Ecosystems
My research interests include mammal-plant interaction, multi trophic-level interactions, and ecosystem engineering in temperate and tropical ecosystems. Recently, my research focuses on the effects of hyper-abundance of ungulates in the northern hemisphere and defaunation of ungulates in the southern hemisphere. My study sites are located within the Peruvian Amazonas and forests in Maryland.
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Coastal/Aquatic ecology, Wetlands, Mudflats, Avian ecology, Habitat selection, Restoration and adaptation
My lab's research fundamentally addresses how ecosystem geomorphic structure (size, shape, heterogeneity, connectivity) influences ecosystem function and habitat-use by animals. We often work in coastal environments (though any aquatic-terrestrial linkages are of interest), and consider socially-relevant questions related to conservation of wildlife habitat. Typically, research questions will address interactions between water, mud, sometimes plants, and birds.
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Dr. Mark Bulmer
Recruiting for Fall 2025
Molecular Evolution, Behavioral Ecology, Social Insects, Entomopathogens,Innate Immunity, Social Immunity
Social insects live in crowded conditions that should be conducive to the spread of disease. Research in my lab focuses on how termites achieve high levels of resistance to infections. This includes investigation of behavioral and molecular defenses.
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Dr. Daniela Chavez
Recruiting for Fall 2025
Fertility, molecular and cellular biology, assisted reproduction technology, oocyte,
gamete
The Chavez lab studies egg cell development using the domestic cat. Specifically, we study the aspect of egg cell development that happens right before a female ovulates, a process known as meiosis. To study this, we collect reproductive tracts that are normally discarded by spay and neuter clinics and collect eggs from the ovaries. The goal of our research is to better understand the molecular events of mammalian female meiosis. Through this, we aim to inform the use of assisted reproduction in endangered feline species and humans experiencing infertility.
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Dr. Daniel Caetano
Systematics, Phylogenetics, Evolution, Morphology,
Phylogenetic Comparative Methods, Computational Biology
The central aim of my research is to understand how evolution has unfolded over deep time using the phylogenetic relationships among lineages and their fossil record. My current work can be divided into three branches: 1) the study of trait evolution using phylogenetic trees; 2) the development and implementation of statistical approaches to study macroevolution using phylogenies; and 3) the evaluation and improvement of current models.
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Dr. Jacqueline Doyle
Population Genetics, Conservation Genomics
My research program aims to use rapidly developing genomic approaches to facilitate the management of threatened species. At Towson University, undergraduate and graduate researchers and I have resolved the phylogenetic relationship of prairie falcons relative to other falcon species, tested for viability selection in golden and imperial eagles and considered the effect of translocations on heterozygosity in genetically depauperate Allegheny woodrat populations.
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Dr. Elana Ehrlich
Cell Biology, Virology, Ubiquitin, Herpesvirus, Cancer
We study the function of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins in the transition of KSHV from latency to lytic replication. I also have a collaborative project with Dr. Mary Devadas (Department of Chemistry, Towson University) where we study the role of the Cullin 5 ubiquitin ligase in resistance to Hsp90 inhibitors.
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Dr. Anne Estes
Host-microbe interactions, Microbiology, Microbial Ecology
and Evolution, Genomics
Dr. Anne Estes is an integrative biologist interested in the effect of the host diet and physiology on the genome and evolution of the host’s microbiome. The Estes laboratory examines the effect of diet and antibiotic perturbation of the dung beetle digestive system microbiome, an insect essential to human and environmental health.
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Dr. Brian Fath
Systems Ecology, Network Analysis, Sustainability, Environmental Assessment
The goal of my research is to understand better Sustainability Science, which I address using three different approaches: network analysis, integrated environmental assessment, and complex systems science. Sustainability Science is a critically important area that encompasses a broad range of research interests including ecosystem services, biodiversity, natural resources, human cultures, and specific environments. I use network analysis to investigate thermodynamic sustainability indicators.
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Dr. Laura Gough
Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Engaging STEM Undergraduates in Research
I am broadly interested in plant communities and how they interact with other trophic levels, including mammals and soil organisms, particularly in coastal wetlands and arctic tundra. Recent graduate students have studied invasive plant species in the mid-Atlantic region. In addition, I am part of a team helping faculty develop and teach CUREs (course-based undergraduate research experiences) and become more inclusive and effective mentors of undergraduate researchers.
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Dr. Sarah Haines
Recruiting for Fall 2025
Science Education, Outdoor Education, Environmental Education,
Teaching and Learning
My research interests lie in the areas of science education, and in particular, environmental education. My focus is on improving preservice and inservice teacher knowledge and training in the area of environmental education, and promoting environmental education and awareness among students in grades K-12. My most current research has involved studying the effects of exposure to environmental education on student achievement, pedagogical techniques for outdoor teaching and learning, and the connection between civic engagement and environmental education.
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Dr. Erin Harberts
Innate Immunity, Cell-signaling, Host-pathogen Interactions
Innate immune signaling molecules called pattern recognition receptors (PRR) recognize conserved molecular signatures from every order of life including plants, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and mammals. Recognition of a ligand by PRR leads to specific immediate upregulation of immune responses that are tailored to appropriately respond to the stimuli detected. These signaling pathways represent a mechanism for organisms to communicate and adapt to the environment they are living in and defend against changes and infections that threaten survival. My research investigates the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of innate immune ligands and PRR.
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Dr. Steve Kimble
Recruiting for Fall 2025
Ecology, Evolution, Molecular, Herpetology, Conservation, Wildlife Disease, Microbiome
My research interests revolve around the conservation of threatened reptiles and amphibians, usually with some combination of field work, lab work, and bioinformatics. Current and recent projects include Northern Map Turtle Population Genetics, Box Turtle Microbiomes, and a comparison of zoo and captive Eastern Box Turtles.
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Dr. Matt Hemm
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Small Proteins, Bacteria
In our lab we identify and characterize small proteins, broadly defined as those proteins containing 50 or fewer amino acids, in the bacterium Escherichia coli. It is unknown how many small proteins are encoded in any genome, and one half of our lab focuses on identifying new small proteins in E. coli. The other half of the lab works to characterize the function of known small proteins.
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Dr. Iskander Ibrahim
Recruiting for Fall 2025
Photosynthesis, Plant development, Bacterial signal transduction systems
The central goal of the Ibrahim lab is to gain a better understanding of how photosynthesis is regulated under various abiotic stress conditions. Possible projects includes: 1) identifying the full scope of photosynthetic gene regulatory networks for chloroplasts and cyanobacteria; 2) the mechanism by which chloroplasts communicate with the nucleus to regulate plant development; and 3) the regulation of cyanobacterial CO2-concentrating mechanism, with the aim of genetically engineering C3 plants to improve their low photosynthetic efficiency caused by photorespiration under current atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
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Dr. John LaPolla
Ants, Taxonomy, Systematics, Morphology, Biodiversity, Symbiosis
I am a biodiversity scientist, fascinated with understanding the global diversity of ants. As such my students and I conduct research involving revisionary taxonomy, building phylogenies, studies on the structure and function of morphological features of ants and their associates and spend as much time as we can in the field. My research has focused on two aspects of ant diversity: understanding the mutualistic relationships Acropyga ants have with mealybugs and revisionary taxonomic work within the subfamily Formicinae.
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Dr. Sarah Longo
Evolution, Biomechanics, Morphology, Organismal Biology,
Aquatic Animals, Vertebrates
My research program investigates how animals work and how function evolves across broad evolutionary timescales by focusing on ecologically relevant traits in a variety of systems. For instance, my research includes studying innovations in the feeding mechanisms in fishes, the evolution of cranial structures in various vertebrate groups, and the biomechanics of claw snapping in pistol shrimp.
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Fish Physiological Ecology
My lab is currently studying the physiology of the invasive snakehead fish.
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Dr. Chris Oufiero
Physiology, Evolution, Organismal, Ecology, Ectotherms,
Functional Morphology
My lab is interested in understanding the evolution of whole-organismal performance traits to determine how ecology affects the way an organism works. This includes studies focused on comparing the morphology and performance of organisms within a species and among species. Currently my lab is focusing on prey capture in praying mantises from biomechanic, ecological, and physiological perspectives.
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Dr. Will Ryan
Evolution, Ecology, Marine Biology, Invertebrates,
Global Change, Population Genetics
The Ryan Lab studies intra-specific variation in marine invertebrate species to understand how mechanisms at the intersection of ecology and evolution drive adaptation and maintain biodiversity. We are particularly interested in understanding variation across species' geographic range, the role of phenotypic plasticity in adaptation, the evolution of clonality and other features of complete life cycles, and the interplay between life cycle and mating system variation and population genetic structure. We work in intertidal and shallow estuarine environments on many coastlines.
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Ecotoxicology, Population Ecology, Bioaccumulation, PFAS,
Simulation Modeling, Conservation
Research in the Salice lab incorporates laboratory, field and modeling approaches to better understand the effects of anthropogenic stressors on ecological systems. Currently, we have projects exploring the impacts of iron in stream communities and the fate and effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in ecological systems.
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Dr. Jack Shepard
Neuroscience, Behavior, Pharmacology, Physiology, Stress, Anxiety
My research focuses on understanding the neural circuits that underlie fear and anxiety. Specifically, we want to understand how these circuits can transition from a normal fear response to excessive activation producing a maladaptive state of anxiety. Understanding these circuits may lead to developing better treatments for anxiety disorders.
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Dr. Vonnie Shields
Neuroscience, Neurophysiology, Insect-plant Interactions, Olfaction,
Gustation, Vision, Behavior, Microscopy
Exploration of the importance of gustatory, olfactory, and visual cues in the selection of food sources (attractants and repellents) by insects involving behavioral, microscopic, and electrophysiological studies.
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Dr. Michelle Snyder
Immunology, Microbiology, Host-pathogen Interactions,
Innate Immunity, Bacterial Pathogenesis
Our lab focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions. The main projects in the lab right now are related to bacterial evasion of host innate immune mechanisms, including evasion of innate pattern recognition signaling pathways. We use model organisms, including E. coli and Dictyostelium discoideum, as well as mammalian cell lines to probe these immune evasion mechanisms.
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Recruiting for Fall 2025
Virology, Evolution, Ecology, Emerging Infectious Disease, Molecular Epidemiology,
Medical Entomology
The Taylor lab studies emerging and remerging zoonotic pathogens. We are currently focused on the evolutionary mechanisms of vector-borne viruses and their ability to sustain transmission between vectors and hosts. We do this using a combination of laboratory (classical virology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, etc.) and field (vector trapping, serosurveys, environmental assessment, etc.) techniques.
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Dr. Petra ("Peko") Tsuji
Recruiting for Fall 2025
Colorectal cancer, molecular biology, cell signaling, polyphenols, nutrients
Our laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms of colon cancer and inflammation. In particular, the use of dietary compounds as preventive strategies are of interest. Biological models utilized include primarily human and mouse cell lines. Current projects focus on the trace mineral selenium and the cereal grain Sorghum (USDA collaboration).
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Dr. John Weldon
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Antibody Engineering,
Recombinant Immunotoxins, Cancer Therapeutics
I am interested in protein function at a molecular level, and how we can manipulate the behavior of proteins through directed engineering and external modulators. My research uses techniques from molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology to examine the control of protein synthesis by the bacterial toxin Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE). I am particularly interested in the intracellular trafficking of PE and PE-based toxin conjugates, the unique diphthamide target of PE, and the use of toxin conjugate molecules therapeutically.
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