Watch the Commencement ceremony
“Take a look at those around you. You are the future. You are our experts,” said Chesapeake Bay champion and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, keynote speaker at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Commencement ceremony. “Thank you, UMCES! I know that we are in good hands with this new round of distinguished graduates and professionals.”
Twelve graduate students received joint degrees from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) and the University of Maryland College Park (UMD) at a virtual ceremony on May 27, 2021. The Commencement 2021 ceremony featured a keynote address from Senator Cardin, distinguished speakers, and the recognition of outstanding faculty, staff and students.
“We are at a consequential time in history for our region, in terms of climate change impacts from rising sea levels and temperatures, shifting migratory patterns for wildlife, extreme rain events … and the list goes on and on. The scientific consensus tells us that we must act now. We cannot back out of our commitment to future generations and this planet Earth. We only get one chance,” said Senator Cardin.
READ Senator Cardin’s keynote address
UMCES is a preeminent environmental research and educational institution that leads the way toward better management of Maryland’s natural resources and the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay from a network of laboratories across the state. As an environmental research and graduate institution, UMCES holds a unique and important place among the University System of Maryland’s 12 institutions, leading a nationally ranked graduate program in marine and environmental science.
“These are extraordinary times requiring extraordinary responses informed by the best-available science. As you close this chapter of your life, Commencement begins the next step in your career,” said UMCES President Peter Goodwin in his charge to the graduates. “Think big, think bold, and inspire the changes we need to better the environment for future generations.”
Every year, more than 80 graduate students study and work alongside UMCES scientists and faculty members through the Marine Estuarine Environmental Sciences (MEES) Program, a nationally eminent interdisciplinary graduate program. Students on to become environmental leaders in both the public and private sectors, research, and environmental advocacy.
“You have worked side-by-side with your mentors to connect your passion for the environment to a greater good. And despite a challenging year that called for great flexibility and perseverance, you have made it here today,” said Regent Barry Gossett bringing greetings from the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. “UMCES graduates have a reputation for going on to become leaders in both the public and private sectors, research, and environmental advocacy. I know that despite this unprecedented moment in time, you have been well prepared for success.”
USM Chancellor Perman also shared his enthusiasm for the graduate. “I hope you are extremely proud of what you’ve accomplished because the same qualities that got you through this year will propel you through a lifetime of work that truly makes a difference,” he said. “As you create the knowledge and develop the innovations that can and will solve our biggest and most complex environmental challenges. That will make a future that is sustainable and vibrant and healthy and equitable.”
Traditionally, each year UMCES gives awards for outstanding faculty, student and staff accomplishments at our Commencement ceremony:
Rosemary Jagus, professor in molecular genetics at UMCES’ Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, was awarded the President’s Award for Excellence in Application of Science for her contributions to increasing the diversity of scientists working in the marine sciences over the past two decades. As the founder and director of the Summer Internship Program at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, as Project Director for NOAA’s Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center, and as a mentor to students in her lab, she has used her eminence in the science field to inspire and rigorously train young scientists from under-served communities to pursue careers in science.
Senior Faculty Research Assistant Anne Gustafson was given the President’s Award for Outstanding Research Support to recognize her professional achievements and unfailing support through 31 years of research projects working with Professor Tom Fisher at UMCES’ Horn Point Laboratory. She has provided exceptional contributions to research and outstanding service, played impressive roles in leading innovative research projects, and mentored members of the UMCES community.
Graduate student Christina Goethel was awarded the UMCES Student Service Award for outstanding service. An academic and research standout at UMCES’ Chesapeake Biological Laboratory--culminating most recently in a 2021-2022 Fulbright Fellowship--this award honors her commitment to service across multiple levels. During her tenure as chair of the UMCES Graduate Student Council, she was instrumental in it becoming one of the most active partners in shared governance and helping to advance new initiatives, including mental health, racial equity, and an UMCES Ombuds program.
Associate Professor Jeremy Testa, a marine ecologist studying nutrient cycling in coastal systems, was selected by the graduate student body to receive the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award for his dedication to both science and his students. Testa represents what it means to be an exemplary and exceptional mentor through the dedication, investment, and care he provides to each of his students and mentees. Since his arrival as a faculty member at Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in 2013, he has mentored more than 15 students and positively impacted the lives of many more, and served on 17 graduate student committees. His students note that he cares about their own personal growth as much as their development as scientists.
Julianna Brush received the UMCES Staff Award for her exceptional job performance as the Contract and Grant Specialist at the Horn Point Laboratory. Her dependableness under pressure coupled with her deep knowledge of funding agency requirements has significantly improved proposals submitted by UMCES. Her exceptional performance and ability to tackle new problems was seen recently in the process of submitting proposals to National Institute of Health relating to COVID-19.
Molly Pickel received the UMCES Staff Award for outstanding performance in her role as Assistant to the Executive Director of the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology. She has helped plan and execute events such as IMET’s Open House and a visit by EU Ambassadors. She also shows her passion for IMET and UMCES’ missions through her work on committees and currently serves as co-chair of IMET’s Sustainability Committee, where she helps implement environmentally friendly practices and educational programs.
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Class of 2021
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Daniel Fucich
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Environmental Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Toxin antitoxin systems and other stress responses in picocyanobacteria and their ecological implications
Adviser: Dr.Feng Chen, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology
Jacqueline Tay
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Biological Oceanography
The population biology and ecosystem effects of the sea nettle, Chrysaora chesapeakei
Adviser: Dr. Raleigh Hood, Horn Point Laboratory
Hao Wang
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Oceanography
A numerical investigation of variability in particulate organic matter transport and fate, phytoplankton and primary production, and denitrification in a partially mixed estuary
Adviser: Dr. Raleigh Hood, Horn Point Laboratory
Chelsea Wegner Koch
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Earth and Ocean Systems
The significance of sea ice algae as a resource in the Pacific Arctic determined by highly branched isoprenoid biomarkers
Adviser: Dr. Lee Cooper, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
Timothy Wynne
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Biological Oceanography
Phenology of Cyanobacterial blooms in three catchments of the Laurentian Great Lakes
Adviser: Dr. Raleigh Hood, Horn Point Laboratory
MASTER OF SCIENCE
Lynda Bell
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Environmental Science
Dynamic equilibrium beach profiles: Forces of offshore sediment transport in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay
Adviser: Dr. Lawrence Sanford, Horn Point Laboratory
Miles Charles Bolton
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Earth and Oceans Systems
Evaluating feedbacks between vegetation and sediment dynamics in submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds and created marshes of living shorelines in Chesapeake Bay
Adviser: Dr. Cindy Palinkas, Horn Point Laboratory
Dana Bunnell-Young
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Environmental Science
Dynamics of Nitrogen and Methane in Ground and Surface Waters
Adviser: Dr. Thomas Fisher , Horn Point Laboratory
Annaleise Conway
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Science/ Earth and Ocean Systems
Determining the toxicity of the UV filter oxybenzone in the hard coral, Galaxea fascicularis
Adviser: Dr. Carys Mitchelmore, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
Alexandra Fireman
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Ecological Foundations
On the shell of the turtle: Identifying the isotopic niche of hawksbill sea turtles in Antigua, West Indies
Adviser: Dr. Ryan Woodland, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
Hunter Hughes
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Earth and Ocean Systems
Effects of seawater SR/CA variability on coral paleothermometry in the Florida Keys and Virgin Islands re vealed by multiyear continuous monitoring
Adviser: Drs. Hali Kilbourne and Johan Schijf, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
Jerelle Jesse
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Ecological Systems
Quantifying drivers of mycobacteriosis in Atlantic striped bass and consequences of increased natural mor tality on biological reference points
Adviser: Dr. Genevieve Nesslage, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
Lauren Jonas
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Environmental Molecular Science & Technology
Two marine sponges, Lendelfeldia chondrodes and Hymeniacidion heliophile, and their microbial symbionts: Roles in marine phosphorus cycling
Adviser: Dr. Russell Hill, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology
Amanda Lawrence
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences /Environmental Molecular Science and Technology
Investigating morphometric and physiological maturity alongside insulin-like androgenic gland expression and size of male C. borealis in Southern New England
Adviser: Dr. J. Sook Chung, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology
Pinky Liau
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Environmental Molecular Science and Technology
Cable bacteria and their microbial associations in lab-Incubated sediment from Chesapeake Bay
Adviser: Dr. Sairah Malkin, Horn Point Laboratory
Morgan O’Hara Ross
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Earth and Ocean Systems
Nutrients, chlorophyll and emergent harmful algal bloom species in coastal waters of Assateague Island National Seashore
Adviser: Dr. Judith M. O’Neil, Horn Point Laboratory
Zoraida Perez-Delgado
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Earth and Ocean Systems
Exploring the temperature and hydrologic response of tropical oceans to volcanic eruptions over the last 400 years using coralgeochemistry
Adviser: Dr. Hali Kilbourne, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
Dylan Taillie
Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences/Ecological Systems
Young forest management for sensitive bird species in Western Maryland
Adviser: Dr. Andrew Elmore, Appalachian Laboratory
