Horn Point Laboratory | University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

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About Horn Point Laboratory

The Horn Point Laboratory, located on more than 800 acres on the banks of the Choptank River on Maryland's Eastern Shore, has advanced society’s understanding of the world’s estuarine and ocean ecosystems. Horn Point scientists are widely respected for their interdisciplinary programs in oceanography, water quality, restoration of seagrasses, marshes and shellfish and for expertise in ecosystem modeling. With ongoing research programs spanning from the estuarine waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the open waters of the world's oceans, Horn Point is a national leader in applying environmental research and discovery to solve society’s most pressing environmental problems.

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Contact Information

Address:

2020 Horns Point Rd

Cambridge, MD 21613

United States

Phone Number:

(410) 228-8200

9th Ryan Saba Memorial Student Fellowship Awarded

The Horn Point Laboratory (HPL) awarded the 9th Ryan Saba Memorial Student Fellowship to Bruna Sobrinho a 5th year PhD student. The $3,000 award is presented annually. The fellowship was created by Ryan Saba’s family and friends to honor and remember Ryan who was a research assistant at the Horn Point Laboratory beginning in the fall of 2013.

Workshop for high school students to explore the sciences

The Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS) Horn Point Laboratory chapter invites high schoolers to spend a day exploring the life of a scientist. The workshop is free and takes place Saturday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 pm.

New insights on why improvements to Chesapeake Bay remain a challenge

A new look at the history of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay sheds light on how the estuary has responded to nutrient reduction efforts and why improvements have remained a challenge.

Oceanographer Mike Sieracki joins UMCES as Horn Point Laboratory Director

Mike Sieracki has been selected as the new director of UMCES' Horn Point Laboratory, taking the helm from Mike Roman, who is stepping down after 20 years to continue his ocean research as a faculty member.

Coastal adaptation workshop brings together experts from around the country

The two-day workshop brought together academic and management communities to synthesize recent progress in research on estuarine and coastal systems with a special focus on Chesapeake Bay. The workshop focused on the danger coastal communities face with climate change and finding the best solutions to deal with the effects they are seeing today and in the future.

Horn Point scientists track how microplastics move through the watershed

Scientists at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory have embarked on a research project that will lay the foundation for plastic research in the Chesapeake Bay. Thanks to a $30,000 matching grant from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation (MSCF) and a group of generous donors who met the match, a short-wave infrared (SWIR) microscope will be purchased that is a game-changer for the project.

Next Generation: Marshall Grossman

My research focus is ecological forecasting Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio cholerae, two organisms that are the leading causes of foodborne illness when consuming raw or undercooked seafood, within the Chesapeake Bay. This research gives insight into what shellfish aquaculture might expect for future shellfish harvests, the economic viability, and how harvest seasons might be affected, as well as the future state of the current locations where aquaculture is practiced.

Chesapeake Bay's role in greenhouse gas release and capture

A team of scientists from UMCES spent several days aboard the Chesapeake Bay research vessel Rachel Carson collecting DNA from the Chesapeake Bay. Their goal was to understand how much the Chesapeake Bay is a source of greenhouse gases to atmosphere versus a sink, or container, and how it impacts the Earth’s changing climate.

Celebrating 10 billion oysters—born and raised by UMCES—planted in Chesapeake Bay

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan led a ceremonial oyster planting in August to mark the significant milestone of 10 billion oysters planted in the Chesapeake Bay, all of them born and raised at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Oyster Hatchery.

9th Ryan Saba Memorial Student Fellowship Awarded

The Horn Point Laboratory (HPL) awarded the 9th Ryan Saba Memorial Student Fellowship to Bruna Sobrinho a 5th year PhD student. The $3,000 award is presented annually. The fellowship was created by Ryan Saba’s family and friends to honor and remember Ryan who was a research assistant at the Horn Point Laboratory beginning in the fall of 2013.

Workshop for high school students to explore the sciences

The Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS) Horn Point Laboratory chapter invites high schoolers to spend a day exploring the life of a scientist. The workshop is free and takes place Saturday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 pm.

New insights on why improvements to Chesapeake Bay remain a challenge

A new look at the history of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay sheds light on how the estuary has responded to nutrient reduction efforts and why improvements have remained a challenge.

Oceanographer Mike Sieracki joins UMCES as Horn Point Laboratory Director

Mike Sieracki has been selected as the new director of UMCES' Horn Point Laboratory, taking the helm from Mike Roman, who is stepping down after 20 years to continue his ocean research as a faculty member.

Coastal adaptation workshop brings together experts from around the country

The two-day workshop brought together academic and management communities to synthesize recent progress in research on estuarine and coastal systems with a special focus on Chesapeake Bay. The workshop focused on the danger coastal communities face with climate change and finding the best solutions to deal with the effects they are seeing today and in the future.

Horn Point scientists track how microplastics move through the watershed

Scientists at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory have embarked on a research project that will lay the foundation for plastic research in the Chesapeake Bay. Thanks to a $30,000 matching grant from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation (MSCF) and a group of generous donors who met the match, a short-wave infrared (SWIR) microscope will be purchased that is a game-changer for the project.

Next Generation: Marshall Grossman

My research focus is ecological forecasting Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio cholerae, two organisms that are the leading causes of foodborne illness when consuming raw or undercooked seafood, within the Chesapeake Bay. This research gives insight into what shellfish aquaculture might expect for future shellfish harvests, the economic viability, and how harvest seasons might be affected, as well as the future state of the current locations where aquaculture is practiced.

Chesapeake Bay's role in greenhouse gas release and capture

A team of scientists from UMCES spent several days aboard the Chesapeake Bay research vessel Rachel Carson collecting DNA from the Chesapeake Bay. Their goal was to understand how much the Chesapeake Bay is a source of greenhouse gases to atmosphere versus a sink, or container, and how it impacts the Earth’s changing climate.

Celebrating 10 billion oysters—born and raised by UMCES—planted in Chesapeake Bay

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan led a ceremonial oyster planting in August to mark the significant milestone of 10 billion oysters planted in the Chesapeake Bay, all of them born and raised at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Oyster Hatchery.

News

Explore the latest news from the Horn Point Laboratory, including research highlights and interviews with graduate students and faculty.

Events

From annual events to monthly seminars, visit the events calendar for what's happening.

About

From the banks of the Choptank River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, scientists engage in world-renowned research in oceanography, water quality, restoration of sea grasses, marshes and shellfish, and expertise in ecosystem modeling.

Faculty

Meet the researchers focused on understanding the world’s coastal ecosystems, leaders in oceanography, water quality, and the restoration of sea grasses, marshes, and shellfish.

Outreach

Learn about campus and oyster hatchery tours, scientists are available as guest speakers, the Chesapeake Champion annual award, and oyster shell recycling.

Applying Science

Discover research programs that apply scientific knowledge directly to emerging environmental issues, including the Horn Point Oyster Hatchery.

Education

Learn about educational opportunities designed for scientific exploration and understanding of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

Services & Tools

Explore tools and services available to scientists and researchers, including the Analytical Services Laboratory, Cell Analysis Center, and Raman microscope. Plus, gain access to our online library resources and learn about availability of the Widgeon Pavilion.

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