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Research Personnel

Benthic Ecology Lab

Research in UNCW's Benthic Ecology Lab is undertaken by faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students. See who we are.

Primary Investigators

Dr. Martin Posey, Professor

  • Ph.D. Biology, University of Oregon
  • B.A. Zoology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with highest honors

Troy Alphin, Senior Research Associate

  • Ph.D. Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington (in progress)
  • M.S. Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • B.S. Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Research Technicians

Ann Markwith
Lab Manager

M.S. Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2010
B.S. Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2006

Megan Lapinsky

Interests: Utiilization of geospatial intelligence in environmental conservation

  • M.S. Geoscience, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Expected 2021
  • MCRT Geographic Information Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington 2020
  • B.S. Marine Biology and Environmental Science, Waynesburg University 2018

Alli Lapinsky

Interests: Marine conservation, Fisheries, Use of drones for research

  • M.S. Environmental Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Expected 2021
  • MCRT Geographic Information Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Expected 2021
  • B.S. Marine Biology and Environmental Science, Waynesburg University 2018

Graduate Students

Edward Arb

Ph.D. Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, In Progress

John Brittain

  • M.S. Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Expected 2021
  • B.S. Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2018
Project Description: Studying site fidelity and site homing in a common marsh resident mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). Working in collaboration with NOAA to examine nekton community assemblage in the Cape Fear River estuary, and Poplar Island Restoration Project.

Interests: Salt Marsh and Estuarine Ecology, Coastal Conservation, Community Ecology

Jessica Carlton
  • MCRT Geographic Information Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington 2020
  • B.S. Marine Biology-Marine Conservation and Environmental Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2018
Project Description: Studying the effects of new oyster aquaculture by monitoring changes in sediment chemistry and oyser spat recruitment in and around oyster farms and natural habitats

Interests: Use of Geographic Information Systems to monitor coastal habitats, Salt Marsh and Estuarine Ecology, Coastal Conservation

George Easterly
  • M.S. Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Expected 2022
  • B.S. Marine Biology, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia

Project Description: Studying active habitat selection by juvenile blue crabs, Callinectes sapius, in submerged aquatic vegetation based on blue crab size, sex, predation pressure, and seagrass type.

Jocelyn Fifer

  • M.S. Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Expected 2022
  • B.S. Environmental Science, North Carolina State University, 2019
Project Description: Studying nekton utilization of marsh edge habitat in the Cape Fear River among Strategic Habitat Areas and adjacent creeks.

Undergraduate Students

Mackenzie Laney

  • B.S. Marine Biology, Minor in Chemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmingon, Expected 2021
Project Description: Involved in the UNCW DMF Partnership dealing with early life history of targeted recreational fishes

Interests: Coastal Conservation, Fisheries, Environmental Chemistry

Previous Team Members

Research Technicians
  • Scott Adams
  • Andrew Hodge
  • Abbey Warner
  • Eric Woroch
Graduate Students:
  • Alexis Marti, M.S.
  • Hannah Thurlow, M.S.
  • Madison Lytle, M.S.
  • Sarah Eure, M.S.
  • Conor Murphy, M.S.
  • Russ Barbour, M.S.
  • Sara Calasimo, M.S.
  • Eden Garcia, Ph.D.
  • Marc Hanke, M.S.
  • James Hargrove, M.S.
  • Mary Grace Lemon, M.S.
  • Jonathan Hartsell, M.S.
  • Anne Markwith, M.S.
  • Corey Novak, M.S.
  • Meredith Owens, M.S.
  • Keith Walls, M.S.
  • David Wells, M.S.
  • Elliot Weston, M.S.
Undergraduate Students:
  • Jordan Brookshire
  • Ryan Lowndes
  • Jenna Baggett
  • Ashley Wileman
  • Amanda Johnson
  • Julianna Tresca
  • Caroline Longerbeam
  • Jessica Stallings
  • Logan Arthur
  • Daren Baker
  • Dylan Bennink
  • Robert Corbett
  •  Lucas Couch
  • Kyle Dilliplaine
  • Karen Dodson
  • Samantha Ehnert
  • Myles Fenske
  • Jeff Flood
  • Emily Fullerton
  • James Hargrove
  • Heather Harwell
  • Jennifer Herbig
  • Kristine Hill
  • Neil Hulland
  • Katherine Johnson
  • Jeremy Lee
  • Preston Luce
  • Coult Markovski
  • Anne Markwith
  • Melissa Mitchell
  • Alison Monroe
  • Ryan Munnelly
  • Bethany Noller
  • Heather Page
  • Samantha Perkins
  • Jenae Progar
  • Troy Rezeck
  • Eva Rosendale
  • Marc Roberts
  • Logan Robles
  • Megan Rudolf
  • Heather Stoker
  • Chris Swanson
  • John Venturella
  • Ashley Whitt
  • Heather Yagowski