TAB Projects

The LMRCSC’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) reviews and recommends research proposals, submitted by Center scientists. This competitive funding allocation process selects proposals that meet quality standards, fit into the Center’s priority research areas and the mission of NOAA, and provide substantive student training. TAB acts like startup funding to support new research projects in their first, and potentially second, year. Following that, researchers must apply for external funding. 

Each year, the LMRCSC brings together the board, which is comprised of scientists that represent each of the theme areas and are selected from various entities of NOAA and the academic community. In addition to reviewing funding proposals, Board members attend the annual Center Science Meeting, the biennial NOAA EPP Forum and interact with faculty and students regularly through seminars and teaching and mentoring opportunities.

2023-2024 TAB Projects

  1. Ecological Assessment of On-bottom and Off-bottom Oyster Culture Technique, Environmental Health, and Oyster Grow-out Conditions (Emily Andrade, M.S. Student; Faculty Advisor & PI: Gulnihal Ozbay, Ph.D.; Post-doc Mentor & Co-PI: Ali Parsaeimehr, Ph.D.; NOAA LMRCSC Collaborator: Salina Parveen, Ph.D.; NOAA NMFS Collaborator, Milford Laboratory: Gary Wikfors, Ph.D.)
  2. A Comparative Study of the Trophic Ecology of Juvenile Weakfish in the Maryland Coastal Bays and Patuxent River, a Chesapeake Bay Tributary (Angel Reyes Delgado, University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES); Dr. Paulinus Chigbu, UMES; Ryan Woodland, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES); Dr. Brian Smith, Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), Woods Hole, MA)
  3. Estimating Fish Abundances and Relationship with Habitat using Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys in the Biscayne Bay (Chryston Best-Otubu; Co-PI: Dr. Elizabeth Babcock; NOAA Collaborator: Dr. Joe Serafy, NOAA SEFSC)
  4. Effects of Hypoxia and Warming on Petrale Sole off the Washington Coast (Savannah Clax; Co-PIs: Dr. Jessica Miller, Dr. Dionne Hoskins-Brown; NOAA Collaborator: Dr. Mary Hunsicker, NWFSC; Other Collaborator: Dr. Jenny Waddell, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary)
  5. Development of an sUAS Multispectral Approach to Assess Spartina alterniflora condition (Dr. Dionne Hoskins-Brown; Co-PI: Dr, Deidre Gibson; NOAA Collaborator: Matthew Johnson, SEFSC Habitat Ecology Branch; Research Students: Shaneese Mackey, SSU Graduate Student)
  6. sUAS Versus Traditional Monitoring Methods to Evaluate Natural and Restored Oyster Reefs (Shaneese Mackey, SSU Graduate Student; Co-PI: Dr. Dionne Hoskins-Brown, SSU; NOAA Collaborator: Dr. Christian Jones, SEFSC Fisheries, Assessment, Technology, and Engineering Support (FATES) Division; LMRCSC Collaborator: Dr. Stacy Smith, Delaware University)
  7. Antibiotic Resistance, and Genetic Diversity of Shewanella spp. Recovered from Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and Seawater (Tahirah Johnson, Ph.D. Student at UMES; Faculty Advisor and Co-PI: Dr. Salina Parveen; NOAA Collaborator: Dr. John Jacobs)
  8. Developing a spatially explicit model of the Chesapeake Bay to project climate effects on a nonnative predator (Noah Tait, M.S. Student; Faculty Advisor and Co-PIs: Dr. Tunde Adebola, Dr. Eric Lewallen; NOAA Collaborator: Dr. Howard Townsend)

2021-2022 TAB Projects

  1. Population structure and growth of lane snapper, a data limited species (Adrianne Wilson; Co-PI: Dr. Elizabeth Babcock; NOAA Partner: Dr. Robert Allman, Southeast Fishery Science Center; Other Partner: Dr. Dionne Hoskins-Brown)
  2. Proteomic analysis of two Haematococcus pluvialis strains as aquaculture feedstock (Kyarii Ramarui; Co-PIs: Drs. Yantao Li, Allen Place, Joseph Pitula; NOAA Partner: Dr. Gary Wikfors, Milford Lab, NEFSC)
  3. Life history and disease ecology of the blue crab, a key benthic-pelagic link in tropical and temperate American estuaries (Dr. Eric Schott, UMCES; Co-PI: Dr. Bradley Stevens, UMES; NOAA Partner: B. Vogt, NCBO; Other Partners: Drs. Gretchen Messick at NOAA Oxford & Jorge Bauzá-Ortega, San Juan Bay Estuary Program; Graduate Student: Olivia Pares)
  4. Investigating the effects of climate change on heat shock proteins and development in the early life history stages of Nassau grouper (Janelle Layton; Co-PI: Dr. Scott Heppell, Oregon State University; NOAA Partner: Dr. Steve Gittings, Silver Spring, NOS)
  5. Developing a Coupled Human Ecological System for Chesapeake Bay Shellfish Fisheries (Tunde Adebola)
  6. Sonar Censusing and Habitat Use by Spawning Run Atlantic and Green Sturgeon,Acipenser oxyrinchus and A. medirostris (Nicholas Coleman)

2019-2020 TAB Projects

  1. 1. An analysis of distribution and abundance of microplastics in selected commercially important species in Northern Georgia coastal waters (Savannah Geiger, M.S. student at SSU; Ali Ishaque, UMES; Margaret Sexton, UMES; Ashok Deshpande, NOAA; Kimberly Roberson, NOAA).
  2. Investigating the Impacts of Adult Oyster Conditioned Water on (Crassostrea virginica) Larvae Utilizing Direct Setting Techniques in Hampton River, VA (Sierra Hildebrandt, M.S. student at HU; Deidre Gibson, HU; Stephanie Westby, NOAA; Jason Spires, NOAA). 
  3.  Proteomic analysis of two Haematococcus pluvialis mutant strains as aquaculture feedstock (Kyarii Ramarui, Ph.D. student at IMET; Yantao Li, UMCES; Allen Place, UMCES; Joseph Pitula, UMES; Gary Wikfors, NOAA).
  4. Life history and disease ecology of the blue crab, a key benthic-pelagic link in tropical and temperate American estuaries (Eric Schott; IMET, Bradley Stevens, UMES; Bruce Vogt NOAA; Olivia Pares, MEES program; Harold Manrique Hernandez, San Juan Bay Estuary Program).
  5. Evaluating the effects of landscape scale habitat variability on white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) population dynamics in Georgia estuaries (Matthew Kenworthy; Ph.D. at SSU; Dionne Hoskins-Brown, SSU; Jennifer Doerr, NOAA; Maurice Crawford, UMES).
  6. Investigating the effects of climate change on heat shock proteins and development in the early life history stages of Nassau grouper (Janelle Layton, M.S. student at OSU; Scott Heppell, OSU; Carolina Bonin, HU; Steve Gittings, NOAA). 
  7. Assessment of New Technologies for Post-Harvest Oyster Purification (Dennis McIntosh, DSU; Daniel Grosse; Dorothy Leonard; Salina Parveen, UMES).
  8. Evaluating physiological and immune responses of snow crabs (Chionoecetes sp.) to Hematodinium infection (Shanelle Haughton, UMES; Joseph Pitula; UMES, Pamela Jensen, NOAA).
  9. Understanding Adaptive Capacity: An Analysis of Community Perceptions and Policy Responses to Ocean Acidification and other marine stressors on the West Coast (Victoria Williams, OSU; Ana Spalding, Co-PI; Shallin Busch, NOAA).
  10. The Occurrence of Microplastics in Maryland Coastal Bay Fishes (Maurice Crawford and Kausik Das, Co-PIs,; Ashok Deshpande, NOAA, Imani Wilburn, UMES).

2018-2019 TAB Projects 

  1. Baseline data on environmental impacts on physiological and molecular parameters determining growth for commercially valuable decapod crustacean management (Anya Byrd, Ph.D. student at IMET; J. Sook Chung,  IMET; Elizabeth Babcock, RSMAS; Paul McElhany, NOAA).
  2. Evaluating physiological and immune responses of snow crabs (Chionoecetes sp.) to Hematodinium infection (Shanelle Haughton, Ph.D. student, UMES; Reuel Danquah, M.S. student at UMES; Joseph Pitula, UMES; Pamela Jenson, NOAA).
  3. Ecological investigation of a toxic harmful algal bloom species (Dinophysis acuminata) and its potential impact to the aquaculture industry of Delaware Inland Bays (Amanda Pappas, M.S. student at DSU; Detbra Rosales, Ph.D. student at IMET; Gulnihal Ozbay, DSU; Gary Wikforks, NOAA). 
  4. Validation of Monkfish Age and Growth Using Microconstituent Analysis of Hardparts (Benjamin Frey, MS student at IMET; Rosemary Jagus, IMET; Anne Richards, NOAA).
  5. Evaluation of age, natal origin, and trophic history of Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) (Keala Pelekai, MS student at OSU; Jessica Miller, OSU; Laurie Weitkamp, NOAA).
  6. Thermal impacts on juvenile Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) foraging and growth in Gulf of Alaska nursery habitats (Hillary Thalmann, MS student at OSU; Jessica Miller, OSU; Ben Laurel; NOAA). 
  7. Population structure and growth of lane snapper, a data limited species (Adrianne Wilson, Ph.D. student at RSMAS; Elizabeth Babcock, RSMAS; Robert Allman (NOAA).

2017-2018 TAB Projects 

  1. Baseline data of male reproductive status for Jonah Crab management (Sook Chung, IMET; Bradley Stevens, UMES; Amanda Lawrence, M.S. student at IMET; Burton Shank, NOAA).
  2. Indices of abundance for King Mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic improved by incorporating spatiotemporal and environmental variability (LaTreese Denson, Ph.D. student, RSMAS; Elizabeth Babcock, RSMAS; Dionne Hoskins-Brown, SSU; John Walter, NOAA; James Thorson, NOAA)  
  3. Integration of habitat-specific growth variation into assessment models: a case study in the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Matthew Ramirez, Ph.D. student, OSU; Selina Heppell, OSU; Elizabeth Babcock, RSMAS; Jeffrey Moore, NOAA; Larisa Avens, NOAA).
  4. Cold-water corals in the Mid-Atlantic Bight: age, colony complexity, and growth (Rebecca Wenker, M.S. student, UMES; Bradley Stevens, UMES; Vince Guida, NOAA).
  5. Assessing the impacts of harmful dinoflagellates and Vibrio spp. on oyster aquaculture in the Delaware Inland Bays (Detbra Rosales, Ph.D. student, UMES; Joseph Pitula, UMES; John Jacobs, NOAA)
  6. Diet analysis of juvenile weakfish in the Delaware Bay using stomach content and stable isotope analysis (Brian Galvez, M.S. student, DSU; Stacy Smith, DSU; Maurice Crawford, UMES; Howard Townsend, NOAA)
  7. Feeding ecology of Black Sea Bass at selected reef sites using gut content and stable isotope analyses (Andre Price, M.S. student, UMES; Bradley Stevens, UMES; Richard McBride, NOAA)   
  8. Under representation in marine and fisheries science professions: how significant life experiences shape a diverse workforce (Brittany King, Ph.D. student, OSU; Kelly Biedenweg, OSU; Kevin Werner, NOAA; Suzanne Russell, NOAA)
  9. Assessment of microplastics and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in scallops as possible indicators of plastic pollution from the Georges Bank, Mid-Atlantic, Southern New England, and Gulf of Maine Stock Fisheries (Enid Munoz, M.S. student, UMES; Ali Ishaque, UMES; Ashok Deshpande, NOAA; Beth Sharack, NOAA)
  10. Examining ecosystem health through contaminant analysis of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) (Tara Cox, SSU; Carolina Bonin Lewallen, HU; Gina Ylitalo, NOAA).     
  11. Genetic-based methods for assessing prey composition and feeding ecology of Pacific lampreys (Eric Lewallen, HU; Carolina Bonin Lewallen, HU; Laurie Weitkamp, NOAA; Linda Park, NOAA).

2016-2017 TAB Projects

  1. Discard mortality of sub-legal black sea bass in the commercial trap fishery: Impacts of air exposure and acute temperature changes
    Principal Investigator: Cara Schweitzer (Ph.D. Student, UMES) 
    Collaborators: Bradley Stevens (Co-PI, UMES), Andrij Horodysky (Co-PI, HU), Joseph Pitula (UMES), Richard Brill (NOAA/VIMS) 
  2. Biological baseline data for Jonah Crab Management
    Principal Investigator: Bradley Stevens, Ph.D. (UMES), 
    Collaborators: Burton Shank (NOAA NEFSC), Noelle Olsen (M.S. Student, UMES)   
  3. Reproductive Biology of red deep-sea crabs, Chaceon quinquedens
    Principal Investigators: Stephanie Martinez-Rivera (Ph.D. Student, UMES), Shadaesha Green (Co-PI, Ph.D. Student, IMET), Bradley Stevens (Co-PI, UMES), and J. Sook Chung (Co-PI, IMET) 
    Collaborators: Burton Shank (NOAA NEFSC), Chris Long (NOAA AFSC), James Weinberg (NOAA NEFSC)
  4. Refining stock structure of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) through photo-identification and genetic analysis
    Principal Investigators: Tara Cox (PI, SSU) and Joseph Pitula (Co-PI, UMES) 
    Collaborators: Patricia Rose (NOAA), Brian Balmer (NOAA), Emily Griffin (M.S. Student, SSU)
  5. The Impact of Increasing Sea Surface Temperatures on Piscivore and Planktivore Species Dynamics: An Ecosystem-Based Modeling Approach
    Principal Investigators: Shari Wiley (PI, HU) and Andrij Horodysky (Co-PI, HU) 
    Collaborator: Howard Townsend (NOAA)
  6. Ecosystem impact of a harmful algal bloom species (Dinophysis acuminata) on aquaculture shellfish
    Principal Investigators: Joseph Pitula (PI, UMES), Gulnihal Ozbay (Co-PI, DSU), 
    Collaborators: John Jacobs (NOAA) and Detbra Rosales (Ph.D. Student, UMES)
  7. Migration and foraging ecology of at-risk species: Columbia River Chinook salmon and Atlantic weakfish
    Principal Investigators: Jessica Miller (PI, OSU) and Stacy Smith (Co-PI, DSU) 
    Collaborators: Louise Copeman (OSU), Laurie Weitkamp (NOAA), Angie Munguia (M.S. OSU), and Lyndsey King (OSU)
  8. Comparing the diet and microbiome of Atlantic menhaden and Eastern oyster using DNA barcoding
    Principal Investigators: Ammar Hanif (PI, Ph.D. Student, IMET), Rose Jagus (Co-PI, IMET), Allen Place (Co-PI, IMET), Joseph Pitula (Co-PI, UMES), 
    Collaborator: John Jacobs (NOAA) 
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