About

Education

Ph.D. 1994 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
M.S. 1987 University of Houston
B.S. 1984 The Ohio State University

Research Interests

Overview

The predominant thrust of my research concerns host-parasite interactions in bivalve molluscs. I oversee the HSRL Histopathology Laboratory that provides diagnostic services for research, shellfish management and the shellfish industry.  A major active initiative is the Regional Shellfish Seed Biosecurity Program (RSSBP). A second research focus is understanding of the ecological impact of bivalves, particularly the eastern oyster, at the population, community and ecosystem levels. My lab works proactively with the state of New Jersey and the shellfish industry to improve management and efficiency of shellfishing and shellfish aquaculture as these activities interact with the ecosystem in which they exist. In the face of rising seas and resulting shoreline erosion, this broader perspective has led us to investigate the role shellfish can play in “nature-based solutions” for combating climate change, eutrophication and other major problems.

Fisheries, Aquaculture and Pathology

Many bivalves and other molluscan shellfish support important fisheries or are farmed and harvested for various forms of exploitation (e.g., food, medicine, jewelry). The natural populations of many species have declined dramatically due to decades, even centuries, of over fishing and habitat loss/degradation. Most of these species continue to face high fishing pressure and habitat loss. Aquaculture has and continues to relieve some of the pressure on natural populations, but has its own set of environmental impacts, positive and negative. Yet, parasites and disease plague many aquaculture and restoration efforts. Understanding host-parasite dynamics and disease from molecular to ecosystem levels is crucial to the development of successful management strategies. Bivalves and their parasites do not exist in a vacuum, but within a complex ecosystem.

Shellfish Ecology

Bivalve molluscs often serve prominent roles in the ecology of coastal ecosystems. For example, the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is a reef-forming, filter feeding bivalve that lives in estuaries along the east and gulf coasts of North America. Oyster reefs perform a variety of ecological roles that contribute significantly to the structure and function of the systems in which they exist. For example, they form a unique habitat that supports an abundance of taxonomically diverse species. Their reefs stabilize banks and bottom sediments, and serve as both active and passive filters of surrounding waters. Their individual and collective metabolism actively couples benthic and pelagic communities. While the ecological role of oyster is gaining appreciation, much remains to be learned.