2024
Jennifer L Bowen
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I am interested in all facets of marine and coastal microbial ecology. My recent focal points have been on understanding the role of microbial community diversity in the functioning of microbial communities in salt marshes and other coastal systems. I am particularly interested in those microbes that are responsible for the various steps in the nitrogen cycle because of the tremendous ecosystem services that they provide to estuarine and coastal waters. Considering the importance of these habitats in the biogeochemistry of the coastal zone, I am also interested in how environmental perturbations such a sea level rise and nutrient enrichment are altering the structure and function of these microbial communities and the geochemistry they promote. Finally, in addition to our work in salt marshes, I am also exploring interesting questions about the nature of plant microbe and animal microbe interactions. I am always interested in finding highly motivated graduate students interested in working on some of these projects. Please contact me if you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in the Bowen Lab. |
Current Members |
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Post-Docs |
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| Annie Murphy - Post Doc | |
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I recently joined the Bowen lab as a postdoc, hailing from Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). I am broadly interested in the responses of microbial communities and ultimately biogeochemical processes to disturbances, both natural and anthropogenic, in coastal ecosystems. My dissertation investigated the impacts of clam aquaculture on sediment biogeochemistry. By continuously supplying labile carbon to sediments, bivalves can significantly affect microbial processes such as denitrification, DNRA, and sulfate reduction. I found that clam aquaculture enhanced nutrient recycling and facilitated macroalgal growth; however, these effects are site-dependent, making it a challenge to generalize across clam cultivation operations. Prior to VIMS I worked at a shellfish hatchery on Martha’s Vineyard, growing oysters, clams, and scallops to re-seed the island’s shellfish beds. I also worked at an environmental consulting company, sampling a range of aquatic environments from pristine to super nasty. I am excited to continue exploring the drivers that affect microbial community structure and function using new and exciting molecular techniques! |
Graduate Students |
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| Kenly Hiller - PhD Candidate | |
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I am a candidate for the Ph.D in Environmental Biology at UMass Boston and am interested in microbial ecology and biogeochemistry. My previous work has included characterizing ammonia-oxidizing archaea in Sippewissett Marsh in Woods Hole with my former adviser Dr. Anne Bernhard of Connecticut College. I also completed the Semester in Environmental Science at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. After that, I worked on an experimental method of reducing nitrate pollution in Falmouth (also at the MBL). Barriers made of woodchips were buried under the sand so that they could intercept groundwater flowing into Waquoit Bay and Childs River. They were intended to increase the incidence of denitrification in the sediment, thereby removing nitrate from the system. The goals of my study were to determine how the barrier was changing groundwater biogeochemistry and if it was influencing primary production and benthic infaunal abundance. In the future I hope to explore whether these barriers increase toxic levels of mercury to the Bay. |
| Ashley Bulseco-McKim - PhD Candidate | |
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I am currently an Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology PhD candidate. Generally, I am interested in processes that occur at the land-water interface, particularly those that are impacted by human activities. I expect my future research to revolve around the alteration of biogeochemical cycling as a result of enhanced nutrient loading, and hope to draw linkages to the structure and function of microbial communities. I received by B.S. in Marine Science from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where I studied the metabolic response of the microbial community to groundwater input under the Center for Microbial Oceanography Research and Education (C-MORE). In addition, I am passionate about developing effective modes of science education, and hope to contribute a unique perspective to outreach practices by integrating hands-on research into every day curricula. |
| Christopher Lynum - PhD Student | |
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I am a PhD student in the Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology department and my interests lay in the realm of microbial ecology and biogeochemistry, particularly nitrogen cycling and GHG fluxes. In addition to sequencing the marsh microbes I hope to work on culturing the sediment microbial community. I received my BS in Aquatic Biology at the University of Wisc. - La Crosse where I studied terrestrial snail ecology and population genetics of an invasive freshwater snail with Dr. Kathryn Perez. I also received an NSF-REU at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science where I looked into denitrifying bacteria community assemblages in an oligohaline estuary under the advisement of Dr. BK Song. In addition to conducting research and teaching, I am also interested in public outreach and scientific communication as well as the advancement and retention of Queer people and other underrepresented groups in science and society. |
| Andrea Unzueta- Martinez - PhD Student | |
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I am really excited to join the Bowen Lab as a new PhD student in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology at Northeastern University. I received a B.S. from the University of Hawai‛i at Mānoa in 2016. During this time, I worked under Sean Callahan from the Department of Microbiology and Greta Aeby from the Hawai‛i Institute of Marine Biology investigating coral disease in Kāne‛ohe Bay, Hawai‛i. My project investigated strains of bacteria that where able to protect the coral Montipora capitata from infection by the pathogenic bacteria associated with the coral disease Montipora White Syndrome. During the summer of 2015, I joined the Bowen Lab as an NSF-REU student and worked on a project that investigated the microbial community associated with lobster shell disease. I am really interested in the role of bacteria in the health and ecology of marine organisms that are targets for conservation efforts. And I am really excited to pursue my research interests as a part of the Bowen Lab! |
| Joseph Vineis - PhD Student | |
Former Graduate Students |
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John Angell, PhD (Post Doc Boston University) |
Sarah Feinman, PhD (Instructor, UMass Boston) |
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Pat Kearns (Post Doc) |
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Former Undergraduate Students |
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REUs:Ross Ackerman (2017; Bates College) Northeastern University Undergraduate Honors Students:Sean Osborne (2017; Marine and Environmental Science) University of Massachusetts Honors Students:
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