Ph.D. Candidate, Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Alice Hotopp is a PhD student in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, co-advised by Kristina Cammen and Brian Olsen. Alice is part of the Genomic Ecology of Coastal Organisms (GECO) research group, which studies the genomic basis of adaptation in sparrow species inhabiting tidal salt marshes along the Atlantic coast of North America. Alice’s research focuses on plumage melanism in tidal marsh sparrows.

Ph.D. Candidate, Marine Biology

My dissertation focuses on using a One Health perspective to investigate drivers of disease outbreaks in two Northwest Atlantic pinnipeds: gray and harbor seals. I am interested in using molecular and genomic techniques to elucidate mechanisms that influence disease susceptibility in pinnipeds, and understand why gray seals are more resistant to viral diseases than harbor seals. Additionally, I am interested in learning how environmental factors, such as environmental contaminants, may contribute to increased disease prevalence and exploring the link between humans and pinnipeds in coastal ecosystems. I am part of the first cohort of UMaine’s One Health & the Environment National Science Foundation Research Traineeship program, through which I am engaged in training focused on using an interdisciplinary approach to solve emerging, complex issues at the intersection of animal, human, and environmental health.

Ph.D. Candidate, Marine Biology

My dissertation research focuses on developing and applying environmental DNA (eDNA) tools for studying river herring and seal ecology as these populations recover due to ongoing protection and restoration efforts. I am particularly interested in validating eDNA against traditional research and monitoring methods to improve sampling capacity, minimize disruption to animals and the environment, and maximize cost-effectiveness. I’m also interested in patterns of fish and mammal community composition, phenology, and trophic relationships, as well as how eDNA can help us monitor and understand changes in these patterns. My research involves the collection of water samples all across the Maine coast, with an additional focus in the Penobscot River Estuary, as well as at seal haul-out sites in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I am fortunate to work with a variety of collaborators at Maine SeaGrant, Maine DMR, NOAA NEFSC, and the Center for Coastal Studies, as well as other researchers and students within the Maine-eDNA program.

Ph.D. Student, Marine Biology

Dara is a PhD student in Marine Biology, co-advised by Doug Rasher and Kristina Cammen, and based at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Dara’s dissertation is supported by ME-eDNA, a multi-institution collaborative NSF grant that seeks to improve our understanding of coastal ecology and sustainability using environmental DNA (eDNA) tools.

Undergraduate Honors Student, Marine Sciences

Sarah Jones is completing her Honors thesis in the Cammen lab, investigating changes in diagnostic blood parameters throughout pinniped rehabilitation.  Her research contributes to a larger research project that aims to assess trends in pinniped health in Maine throughout recent disease outbreaks.

Undergraduate Research Assistant, Marine Sciences

Zoe Reed is currently a senior majoring in Marine Sciences.  In the Cammen Lab, she works to support ongoing laboratory and data analysis projects that aim to improve our understanding of marine mammal health.

M.S., Marine Biology

Lauri Leach completed her MS in Marine Biology in Fall 2020. Her Masters thesis was entitled, Assessing predator risk to diadromous fish conservation in the Penobscot River Estuary. The objectives of Lauri’s research thesis were: i) to assess the abundance and distribution of seals and their prey in the Penobscot River Estuary; ii) to test photo-identification as a tool to study Penobscot River pinnipeds; and iii) to assess trends in seal-induced injuries to Atlantic Salmon at dams in the Penobscot River. Lauri is currently working as a Policy Analyst for the Marine Mammal Commission.

M.S., Ecology & Environmental Sciences

Holland Haverkamp completed his MS in Ecology and Environmental Sciences in Summer 2020.  His Masters thesis entitled, Harp, harbor and gray seal strandings in the Gulf of Maine: A retrospective socio-ecological analysis, is currently in preparation for publication, in collaboration with local marine mammal stranding networks.  The focus of Holland’s research was to utilize marine mammal stranding data in the Gulf of Maine to 1) assess the abundance, distribution, and health of the marine mammals that make the Gulf home, and 2) analyze interactions between humans and marine mammals, specifically harassment.

M.S., Marine Biology

Alayna Hawkins completed her MS in Marine Biology in Summer 2020.  Her Masters thesis, entitled From Phocine Distemper to Avian Influenza: A Study of Immunogenetic Diversity in Two Sympatric Pinniped Species, is currently in preparation for publication. Alayna’s research interests include using genetic techniques to answer questions of marine mammal health and evolution in response to environmental issues. Her Master’s research involved analyzing genes within the Major Histocompatibility Complex in gray and harbor seals to investigate the evolution of immunity to viruses.

Undergraduate Honors Student, Marine Biology

I am currently a senior marine science major with a concentration in marine biology. I am originally from East Lyme, Connecticut and came to the University of Maine to pursue my interests in marine ecosystems and fish biology. My undergraduate Honors thesis is co-advised by Kristina Cammen and Nishad Jayasundara, and my research is looking at the differences in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA in aquacultured California yellowtail fish to determine if there is functional variation in different stocks of yellowtail. In the future, I hope to continue studying fish aquaculture and the impacts that genetic variation can have on fish production.

Undergraduate Honors Student and Research Assistant, Marine Biology

Undergraduate Capstone Student, Marine Biology

Undergraduate Honors Student and Research Assistant, Marine Biology

I am currently a sophomore marine science major with a double concentration in biology and oceanography. Originally from eastern Massachusetts, I came to Maine to pursue my dream of working with marine mammals. At the University of Maine I am a research assistant analyzing spatial and temporal relationships in mammal strandings in the Gulf of Maine and visually observing marine mammals in Western Passage. Working in the Cammen Lab, I have been given the opportunity to follow my passion and work on expanding my understanding of the oceans. I hope to go on and get my doctorate in marine biology to study the effects of anthropogenic factors such as noise on marine mammals.

Undergraduate Capstone Student, Marine Biology

B.S., Marine Sciences

Emma Spies completed her B.S. in Marine Sciences at the University of Maine in May 2021. During her undergraduate, she pursued her interests in ocean conservation and restoration, climate change sciences, marine ecosystems, and marine biology through multiple field and lab experiences, including a semester working in the molecular genetics Cammen lab. Emma also completed a Semester by the Sea at the Darling Marine Center and an Alaska Dive Semester,  where she earned her American Academy of Underwater Sciences scientific research diver certification. Emma hopes to pursue higher education within the field of marine sciences and to conduct underwater marine research.

B.S., Marine Sciences

Sarah Burton completed her Senior Capstone research project in the Cammen Lab in May 2020.  Her Capstone research, entitled Non-invasive Approaches to Marine Mammal Monitoring in Western Passage, was part of an interdisciplinary undergraduate research collaborative focused on studying the ecology of Western Passage, a tidally turbulent body of water between Eastport, Maine and New Brunswick, Canada. Sarah’s experience in the Cammen lab was diverse, including marine mammal visual surveys, collection and analysis of environmental DNA, and marine mammal stranding data entry.  As an undergraduate, Sarah also received hands-on training in marine mammal rehabilitation through an internship at the National Marine Life Center.  Moving forward, Sarah hopes to continue studying marine mammal health.

B.S., Marine Biology

Maddie Jorge completed her Senior Capstone research project in the Cammen Lab in May 2020.  Her Capstone research, entitled Non-invasive Approaches to Marine Mammal Monitoring in Western Passage, was part of an interdisciplinary undergraduate research collaborative focused on exploring the biological, physical, and social dimensions of Western Passage, a tidally turbulent body of water between Eastport, Maine and New Brunswick, Canada. As part of this research collaborative, Maddie gained experience with marine mammal visual surveys, collection and analysis of environmental DNA, and statistical data analysis.  During her undergraduate, Maddie also gained teaching experience as a Maine Learning Assistant for a Conservation and Ecology of Marine Mammals (SMS 308) course.

B.S., Ecology & Environmental Sciences

Kai LaSpina completed her Senior Capstone research in the Cammen Lab in May 2019. Her Capstone research, entitled Genetic relatedness of mass stranded Atlantic white-sided dolphins, is currently undergoing review for publication in a scientific journal.

Kai is currently pursuing a Masters of Marine Management at Dalhousie University.  She is interested in understanding how anthropogenic noise pollution affects marine mammals and helping to shape public policies addressing this ocean health issue.

B.S., Marine Biology

B.S., Marine Sciences

Faythe completed her Honors thesis project in the Cammen lab in May 2018. For her research project, entitled The effect of temperature on the incubation period of loggerhead sea turtles in Edisto Beach, South Carolina, Faythe was awarded Highest Honors. Her primarily data analysis-driven research project followed four years of volunteer work with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources on Edisto Beach Sea Turtle Patrol.

Faythe is currently pursuing her veterinary degree at the University of Georgia, aiming to specialize in marine animal medicine and continue to contribute to sea turtle conservation.

B.S., Marine Sciences

Sarah Vincze completed her Senior Capstone research in the Cammen Lab in May 2018. Her Capstone paper was entitled Analysis of factors influencing the ongoing occurrence of brevetoxin-associated mass mortality events of bottlenose dolphin populations in the coastal waters along Florida. Sarah was also an active member of our marine mammal genetics research lab, participating in population genetic studies of gray and harbor seals.

Sarah is currently a research assistant at the Center for Molecular Oncology at UCONN Health.  She is also enrolled in a Clinical Genetics and Genomics Grad Certificate Program, working towards her masters in Genetic Counseling.