RESEARCH TEAM
I am grateful to have a talented and dedicated research team (including many wonderful students and our favorite canine/feline science pawtners)!
MASON TSAGLOS
SHU 2026 | Major - Biology | Minors - Chemistry, Psychology
Team Seagrass!
Mason is studying seed germination and seedling performance of different eelgrass populations in New England. He shared the results of his Spring 2024 research at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference in April 2024 and won an award for Best Poster Presentation! He also presented at Sacred Heart University’s Academic Festival, and received SHU’s Undergraduate Research Award in Spring 2024.
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! She also presented at Sacred Heart University’s Academic Festival, and received SHU’s Undergraduate Research Award in Spring 2024.
AMANDA SMENTKOWSKI
SHU 2026 | Major - Biology (Honors) | Minors - Chemistry, Psychology
Team Oyster!
Amanda is studying oyster parasites/diseases across aquaculture sites and methods. She has quickly become a shucking expert (hence her nickname Speed Shucker!) and is leading analysis of SSO disease using DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. Amanda is looking forward to presenting the results of her research in Spring 2025.
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 2026 | Major - Biology | Minor - Chemistry
Team TBD
Logan is joining the research team in Fall 2024!
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!
Research Pawtners
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Tarzan
The Best Dog Ever
06/2012 - 11/2023
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Enola
Torrie’s Puppy Scientist in Training
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Zilly
Amanda’s Pup Cup Fanatic
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Sully
Kyra’s Amazing Bear/Dog
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Tayly
Amanda’s Spoiled Snuggle-Pup
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Kipper
Kyra’s Three-Legged Wonderdog