Student Marine Biology Research
Students in the Marine Biology lab at Moravian work on a wide range of research projects, mostly related to the ecology of coastal invertebrates. We work on a wide range of projects, mostly relating to the impact of environmental conditions on the interactions between species (predator-prey relationships, competition), and students have the opportunity to conduct their research on topics that especially interest them. In the Marine Biology lab, students can work on projects involving deep sea research, predator-prey interactions, and climate change issues like warming and ocean acidification. At the bottom of this page is a list of current and past student projects.
Interested in Marine Biology Research?
Any student (freshman thru seniors!) interested in marine biology research or careers in marine biology should reach out to Dr. Lord over email (lordj02@moravian.edu). There are a wide range of research opportunities at Moravian, including Independent Study (0.5 and full credit), SOAR, Honors, internships, or volunteering in a lab at Moravian or a nearby institution. Some current projects that Dr. Lord is currently working on which could involve students are listed below (in addition to current student projects at the bottom of the page).
1. Hierarchy formation in marine invertebrates: many invertebrates fight to form social hierarchies that control access to food, mates and shelter, but this is very poorly understood. We try to figure out how these hierarchies form and what ecological impacts they have.
2. Ocean acidification and behavior: Acidification can interfere with shell formation but also with behavior, impairing the ability of fish and some invertebrates to sense food and predators in the water. We try to understand what types of organisms are most affected by this.
3. Deep sea coral feeding: currently on COVID-induced pause, but feel free to inquire!
STUDENT RESEARCHERS
Current Students
Fabiana Popolla (Independent Study, Spring 2022): Shelter Competition in Grass Shrimp
Samantha Flickinger (Independent Study, Spring 2022): Predator-Prey Interaction Between Shrimp and Fish
Former Students
Anthony DiSipio (SOAR, Summer 2021): Environmental Effects on Group Dynamics in Shrimp
Melissa Morales (Independent Study, Spring 2021): Impact of Ocean Acidification on Snail Foraging Behavior
Thomas Mateo (Independent Study, Spring 2021): Effects of Acidification on the Ability of Horseshoe Crabs to Find Food
Rachel Moser (Independent Study, Spring 2021): Hierarchy Formation and Shelter Use in Freshwater Shrimp
Sam Rappaport (SOAR+Honors 2020-21): Hierarchy Formation in Coastal Shrimp Species (+Ind. Study, Spring '20: Light and OA Effects on Horseshoe Crab Movement)
Morgan Weaver (Honors 2020-21): Effect of Ocean Acidification on Aggression and Hierarchy Formation in Hermit Crabs (+Ind. Study, Spring '20: How Do Deep-Sea Corals Catch Their Food?)
Katie Mayer (Independent Study, Spring '19): Effect of High Temperature and Low Oxygen on Invasive Asian Shore Crabs - SOAR 2019 and Honors, 2019-20: Juvenile Lobster Hierarchy Formation in an Acidified Ocean
Midelys Franceschini (Independent Study, Spring '20): Color Change in the American Lobster
Siobhan O'Sullivan-Evangelista (Independent Study, Fall '19): How Does Ocean Acidification Interfere with Snail Cue Sensing?
Matthew Anderson (SOAR 2019): Competition between Native Blue Crabs and Invasive Asian Shore Crabs
Katie Boyle (SOAR 2018, Honors 2018-19): Effects of Ocean Acidification on Blue Crab Growth and Molting
Kyle Froehlich (Honors 2018-19): Nonlethal Predator Effects on Snails Under Ocean Acidification Conditions
Maria Manz (Honors 2017-18): Negative Impact of Ocean Acidification on Foraging in Mud Snails and Oyster Drills
Catalina Perez (Honors 2017-18): Impact of Dams on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Populations in Streams
