I am a broadly trained interdisciplinary ecologist focusing mostly on microbial ecology, especially eukaryotic microbes, from basic explorations of microbial diversity to applied aspects related to biofilm formation, water quality, disease, and response to pollutants. I have also worked with plant community ecology in coastal acidic bogs and barrier islands, and have conducted studies on the spatial and species-specific distributions and concentrations of metals (including Hg), PAHs, PCBs, and Dioxin-Furans in fish and shellfish.

As Director of VIMS’ Eastern Shore Laboratory, I am responsible for ensuring safe and effective access for visiting students and faculty to the spectacular coastal habitats of the Eastern Shore of Virginia and providing laboratory facilities for classroom and experimental work capitalizing on that access. I also feel obliged to explain complex science to the general public through media contacts and presentations and follow the dynamics of the science-society interface.