RESEARCH TEAM

I am grateful to have a talented and dedicated research team (including many wonderful students and our favorite canine/feline science pawtners)!

OLIVIA GRIFFIN

SHU 2027 | Major - Biology (Honors)

Team Oyster!

Olivia is studying oyster parasites/diseases across aquaculture sites and methods. She shared the results of her Spring 2024 research at the Benthic Ecology Meeting in April 2024 - her first scientific conference and poster presentation! Olivia also presented at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference in 2025 and at Sacred Heart University’s Academic Festival in 2024 and 2025. She received funding from SHU’s Undergraduate Research Initiative in 2024 and 2025.

Lauren Wichelhaus

SHU 2027 | Major - Biology

Team Daphnia!

Lauren conducted a Daphnia evolution experiment to assess the effects of different biocide concentrations and combinations on Daphnia survival, growth, and reproduction. Lauren presented her research at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference in March 2026.

CONNOR ACIERNO

SHU 2028 | Major - Biology | Minors - Chemistry

Team Oyster!

Connor joined the lab in Summer 2026 and is studying oyster parasites/diseases, as well as the effects of pollutants on oyster health. He has quickly become a shucking expert - hence his nickname The Mad Oysterist! Connor is also leading a meta-analysis looking at the effects of pollutants on oyster life history traits.

SEDrA ALASADI

SHU 2027 | Major - Biology (Honors) | Minor - Chemistry

Team Science!

Sedra joined the lab in Summer 2025 and hit the ground running helping with a Spartina project. Then she co-led a lab experiment (with Kayla) looking at the effects of biocides on different Daphnia species with unique ecological histories (building on lab alumnus Logan’s study from Spring 2025). Sedra presented her results at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference in March 2026 and received a Best Poster award! She also assisted with DNA extraction of seagrass samples collected from warmer and cooler meadows in Long Island Sound. Sedra received funding from the Jennifer Mattei Research Scholarship in 2025.

KayLA TRACY

SHU 2026 | Major - Biology

Team Daphnia!

Kayla is joining the lab in Summer 2025, and is going to be focusing on all things genetics, particularly related to a Daphnia experiment and a seagrass survey. Kayla also received funding from SHU’s Undergraduate Research Initiative in 2025.

EMMA MURPHY

SHU 2027 | Major - Biology (Honors) | Minors - Chemistry, Psychology

Team Spartina!

Emma joined the lab in Spring 2025! She hit the ground running, leading a Spartina seed germination experiment and presenting her research at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference in March 2025. Emma also presented at Sacred Heart University’s Academic Festival in 2025, and received funding from SHU’s Undergraduate Research Initiative in 2025.

AVA NEVILLE

SHU 2026 | Major - Biology

Team Daphnia!

Ava conducted a Daphnia evolution experiment to assess the effects of different biocide concentrations and combinations on Daphnia survival, growth, and reproduction. Ava presented her research at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference in March 2026.

LAB ALUMNI

KYRA LERNER

SHU 2025 | Major - Biology

Team Seagrass!

Kyra has been instrumental in developing a survey of seagrass restoration practitioners for our NERRS Science Collaborative project. In addition, Kyra is developing a senior research project focused on eelgrass seed germination and seedling performance under different environmental conditions.

LOGAN GRANGER

SHU 2025 | Major - Biology | Minor - Chemistry

Team Daphnia!

Logan was a jack of all trades in Fall 2024, helping with oyster DNA extractions and macroparasite analysis, plus lending a hand with Spartina seed processing. In Spring 2025, he made the jump from saltwater to freshwater and led a new experiment examining the effects of different biocides on Daphnia, which he used for his senior paper/project. Logan presented his research at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference in March 2025, and won an award for Best Poster Presentation. He also presented at Sacred Heart University’s Academic Festival in 2025, and received funding from SHU’s Undergraduate Research Initiative in 2025.

MIA MELCHIOR

SHU 2026 | Major - Marketing

Team Spartina!

Mia assisted with multiple seed/seedling projects in Spring 2024, including measurements of Zostera seeds and Spartina seedlings from different populations. She is the reason we have 50+ Spartina genotypes happily growing in the greenhouse currently!