Faculty & Staff
Faculty
Research Faculty & Research Associates
Staff
Meet Our Team
Joseph A. Covi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor: Integrative and Comparative Biology | Graduate Faculty
Broadly speaking, I am an integrative physiologist interested in the impact of environmental toxicants on crustaceans. Students in my lab use an ever-changing set of experimental tools in their work with DNA, RNA, protein, isolated mitochondria, cultured tissues and whole animals
Dobo Hall 2100
910.962.2514
covij@uncw.edu
Steven D. Emslie, Ph.D.
Professor: Marine Ornithology, Paleoecology | Graduate Faculty
My research interests are interdisciplinary and focus on seabird ecology and paleoecology, especially on the Adelie Penguin in Antarctica. I apply stable isotope and radiocarbon analyses to investigate the foraging ecology of penguins and other seabirds, past and present, in relation to climate change. I also study the fossil record of birds in the Plio/Pleistocene of western North America and changes in avian biodiversity and species distributions at the end of the Pleistocene.
Emslie Lab | Google Scholar
Dobo Hall 2075
910.962.3357
emslies@uncw.edu
Sarah R. Fausett, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor | Graduate Faculty
In my lab, we use the elegant simplicity of nematodes to probe the genetics & physiology of energetic trade-offs in reproduction & aging, unlocking secrets of both evolutionary fitness & human disease.
Dobo Hall 2101
910.962.0566
fausetts@uncw.edu
Christopher M. Finelli, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate School & Professor: Biological Oceanography
James Hall 211
910.962.2137
finellic@uncw.edu
Nicole D. Fogarty, Ph.D.
Associate Professor: Coral Reef Ecology | Graduate Faculty
My laboratory focuses on coral reproduction and understanding how anthropogenic stressors have led to the decline of corals worldwide. We are one of only a few facilities in the world that spawns Caribbean corals in the laboratory using artificial light. Our 36-tank experimental system allows us to understand how changes in temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, light, and pollutants will impact the physiology of Caribbean corals under future oceanic conditions.
Center for Marine Science 2336
910.962.3397
fogartyn@uncw.edu
Stephen T. Kinsey, Ph.D.
Professor: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology | Graduate Faculty
Our lab is broadly interested in comparative physiology and biochemistry, with an emphasis on how cellular processes affect complex, whole animal phenotypic traits. Much of our effort at the cellular level is directed at understanding muscle energetics and the metabolic principles that drive cellular design
Dobo Hall 2106A
910.962.7398
kinseys@uncw.edu
Logan Kozal, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Friday Hall 1055
910.962.2315
kozall@uncw.edu
Pierre Le Pabic, Ph.D.
Associate Professor: Evolutionary Developmental Biology | Graduate Faculty
My research focuses on the genetic and molecular basis of craniofacial development and evolution. I use a combination of traditional and cutting-edge experimental approaches in fish models to understand how developmental mechanisms produce a functional craniofacial skeleton, and how changes in these mechanisms result in phenotypic variation during evolution or in human diseases.
Dobo Hall 2097
910.962.3884
lepabicp@uncw.edu
Jennifer Martinez, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Friday Hall 2065
910.962.2597
martinezj@uncw.edu
Matthew McLean, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor | Graduate Faculty
My research focuses on the dynamics, functional roles, and biogeography of marine fish assemblages. I use field-based and quantitative approaches to understand how fish biodiversity is changing around the world and what it means for conservation and management.
Lab Website | Google Scholar
Dobo Hall 2095
910.962.2678
mcleanm@uncw.edu
Erin Meyer, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Sartarelli Hall 1013
910.962.2411
meyere@uncw.edu
Andrew M. Miller
Lab Coordinator/Lecturer
Dobo Hall 1020A
910.962.7566
millera@uncw.edu
Julie Neurohr, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Sartarelli Hall 1014
910.962.2834
neurohrj@uncw.edu
Darin S. Penneys, Ph.D.
Associate Professor: Plant Systematics | Graduate Faculty
My primary interests are in the systematics, natural history, and evolution of angiosperms. I specialize in the Melastomataceae, focusing on the classification and phylogenetics of the family as a whole and some tribes and genera in particular, plus biogeography, morphology, anatomy, seeds, plant-animal interactions, biodiversity, and conservation. My current research also encompasses floristics of the southeastern USA and the Philippines.
Penneys Lab | Google Scholar | Research Gate
Dobo Hall 2096
910.962.3046
penneysd@uncw.edu
Carol Z. Plautz, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Friday Hall 1057
910.962.0565
plautzc@uncw.edu
Carolina Priester, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Sartarelli Hall 2020B
910.962.2943
priesterc@uncw.edu
Ryan Rhodes, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Friday Hall 2028B
910.962.2208
rhodesr@uncw.edu
Frederick S. Scharf, Ph.D.
Department Chair & Professor: Fisheries Biology | Graduate Faculty
My primary research interests are in the role that ecological processes play in structuring aquatic communities and their implications for the population dynamics of marine and estuarine fishes. I am interested in identifying factors that affect vital rates of different life history stages and extending knowledge of individual processes to understand interactions among size-structured populations.
Scharf Lab | Google Scholar
Dobo Hall 1010B
910.962.7796
scharff@uncw.edu
Lorian E. Schweikert, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor: Comparative Neurophysiology | Graduate Faculty
Dr. Schweikert is a comparative neurophysiologist who works to understand the biological principles of sensory detection and sensory-guided behavior, primarily as it relates to marine animal vision. Current projects in the lab are focused on the sensory biology of dynamic color change, marine mammal vision, and the relationship of vision and bioluminescence in deep-sea systems.
Schweikert Lab | Google Scholar
Dobo Hall 1076A
910.962.2365
schweikertl@uncw.edu
Kerri Smith, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor | Graduate Faculty
Center for Marine Science 1334
910.962.3780
smithkj@uncw.edu
Molly Smith, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Friday Hall 3017
910.962.7640
smithmg@uncw.edu
Blake Ushijima, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor: Microbiology & Molecular Pathogenesis | Graduate Faculty
We work on exploratory and applied projects focused on the host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions contributing to the health of marine invertebrates. Our research focuses on the molecular and genetic basis for infections by bacterial pathogens and host protection by beneficial microbes (e.g. probiotics).
Ushijima Lab | Google Scholar
Friday Hall 2024A
910.962.0641
UshijimaB@uncw.edu
Amanda Southwood Williard, Ph.D.
Graduate Coordinator & Professor: Animal Physiology | Graduate Faculty
My research projects are inspired by an interest in how animals respond physiologically and behaviorally to changes in environmental conditions. I have been involved in a wide variety of studies, ranging from diving physiology to chemical ecology, but am particularly interested in the thermal biology of sea turtles.
Williard Lab
Friday Hall 2069
910.962.4064
williarda@uncw.edu
Stephan Woditschka, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Sartarelli Hall 2020A
910.962.3670
woditschkas@uncw.edu
Mr. Troy D. Alphin
Adjunct & Part-Time Faculty
Dr. Eric Bolen
Adjunct
Dr. Tim Ballard
Part-Time Faculty
Dr. Sussane Brander
Adjunct
Dr. Rebecka L. Brasso
Adjunct
Dr. Suzanne Budge
Adjunct
Dr. Elizabeth Darrow Condon
Adjunct
Dr. Ted Cranford
Adjunct
Dr. Jennifer Culbertson
Adjunct
Dr. John S. Cummings
Adjunct
Dr. Andrea Currylow
Adjunct
Mr. David DuMond
Adjunct
Dr. Sheila Baztan Hanby
Adjunct
Dr. Claire Hohenwarter
Adjunct
Dr. Judson W. Kenworthy
Adjunct
Dr. John Kucklick
Adjunct
Ms. Annew Markwith
Part-Time Faculty
Dr. Vicki Martin
Adjunct
Dr. Michael McCartney
Adjunct
Dr. Jean McNeil
Adjunct
William A. McLellan
adjunct
Dr. David Meyer
Adjunct
Mr. Andrew Miller
Part-Time Faculty
Mr. Louis Muzyczek
Part-Time Faculty
Dr. Thomas Nolen
Adjunct
Dr. Douglas Nowacek
Adjunct
Dr. Michael Polito
Adjunct
Ms. Anne Porter
Part-Time Faculty
Dr. David Rabon
Adjunct
Dr. Warren Ramp
Adjunct
Dr. Andrew J. Read
Adjunct
Mr. Fred C. Rohde
Adjunct
Dr. Steve W. Ross
Adjunct
Dr. Laela Sayigh
Adjunct
Dr. Eric Schuettpelz
Adjunct
Dr. Jerzy Smykla
Adjunct
Ms. Jessica Snoberger
Part-Time Faculty
Dr. Bongkeun (BK) Song
Adjunct
Dr. Xavier Turon
Adjunct
Dr. Randall W. Wells
Adjunct
Dr. J. Wilson White
Adjunct
Dr. G. Frank Yelverton
Adjunct
Dr. Carlos B. Zavalaga
Adjunct
Alyson Fleming
Research Faculty
Michael A. Mallin
Research Professor: Estuarine Ecology
Myrtle Grove 1331
910.962.2358
mallinm@uncw.edu
Andrew Westgate
Research Professor: Marine Vertebrate Physiology
Friday Hall 2035
910.962.2783
westgatea@uncw.edu
Mia Hayes Aguilar
Manager: Kresge Greenhouse
Friday Hall 2075
910.962.7814
aguilarm@uncw.edu
Brenda Jarrell Reeves
Administrative Specialist
Dobo Hall 1010A
910.962.3470
jarrellb@uncw.edu
Timothy A. Ballard
Professor: Human Anatomy
Lawrence B. Cahoon
Professor: Biological Oceanography
Ileana Clavijo
Professor: Fisheries Biology
Richard M. Dillaman
Professor Emeritus: Animal Morphology, Electron Microscopy
Diane M. B. Dodd
Professor: General and Population Genetics
Michael J. Durako
Professor Emeritus: Coastal Plant Biology
durakom@uncw.edu
Paul E. Hosier
Professor Emeritus: Plant Ecology, Ecology of Coast Vegetation
hosier@uncw.edu
Donald F. Kapraun
Professor Emeritus: Phycology
kapraund@uncw.edu
Thomas Lankford
Professor: Icthyology
D. Ann Pabst
Professor Emeritus: Marine Mammalogy
pabsta@uncw.edu
Robert D. Roer
Professor Emeritus: Animal Physiology, Biomineralization
roer@uncw.edu
Richard Satterlie
Professor Emeritus: Neurophysiology
Ron Sizemore
Professor Emeritus: Microbiology
Thomas Schafer
Professor: Developmental Biology
Carmelo R. Tomas
Professor Emeritus: Marine Phytoplankton
tomasc@uncw.edu
Wm. David Webster
Professor and Curator of Mammals: Mammalogy
webste@uncw.edu
Contact Us
Department of Biology and Marine Biology
Phone: 910.962.3487
Fax: 910.962.4066
601 South College Road
Dobo Hall, 1010
Wilmington, NC 28403-5915