Student Marine Biology Research
Students in the Marine Biology lab at Moravian work on a wide range of research projects, mostly related to the behavioral ecology of coastal invertebrates. Much of our research has focused on the impact of environmental conditions on the interactions between species (predator-prey relationships, competition). More recently, student projects have examined social hierarchies and unique antipredator behavior in shrimp. In the Marine Biology lab, students can work on projects involving deep sea research, predator-prey interactions, climate change issues like warming and ocean acidification, and invertebrate behavioral ecology.
Interested in Marine Biology Research?
Any student (freshman thru seniors!) interested in marine biology research or careers in marine biology should reach out to Dr. Lord over email (lordj02@moravian.edu). There are a wide range of research opportunities at Moravian, including Independent Research (0.5 and full credit), SOAR, Honors, internships, or volunteering in a lab at Moravian or a nearby institution. Some current projects that Dr. Lord is currently working on which could involve students are listed below (in addition to current student projects at the bottom of the page).
1. Shrimp antipredator behavior: we have discovered that grass shrimp approach and harass (aka mob) their predators instead of trying to avoid them like most marine invertebrates do. This is highly unusual and completely unstudied, so we are working on several projects related to this.
2. Hierarchy formation in marine invertebrates: many invertebrates fight to form social hierarchies that control access to food, mates and shelter, but this is very poorly understood. We try to figure out how these hierarchies form and what ecological impacts they have.
3. Ocean acidification and behavior: acidification can interfere with shell formation but also with behavior, impairing the ability of fish and some invertebrates to sense food and predators in the water. We try to understand what types of organisms are most affected by this.
4. Deep sea coral feeding: currently on pause, but feel free to inquire!
Current and Former Students
*IR = 1-semester Independent Research, Honors = full year senior thesis project
- Glorianny Mosquea Luciano (IR, Fall 2024): Personality and Mobbing of Crabs by Grass Shrimp
- Brianna Swinkowski (IR, Fall 2024): Personality and Mobbing of Fish by Grass Shrimp
- Prince Sokpo (Honors, 2024-25): Relationship between Anti-predator Behavior and ‘Personality’ in Shrimp
- Jorge Velazquez (Honors, 2024-25): Measuring Monoamine Mediation of Mobbing Behavior in Grass Shrimp
- Emilie Gottbrecht (IR, Spring 2024): Grass Shrimp Mobbing Behavior
- Nick DiVittorio (IR, Spring 2024): Impact of Predators on Grass Shrimp Aggression
- Hailey Hoffman (IR, Spring 2024): Predator Size and Mobbing in Grass Shrimp
- Ebony Saccento (IR, Spring 2024, Fall 2023): Mobbing Dynamics in Grass Shrimp
- Megan O'Brien (Honors, 2023-24): Analysis of Predator Avoidance Behavior and Grass Shrimp Dominance
- Rachael Goodman (IR, Fall 2023): Impacts of Temperature Change on Snail Behavior
- Isabelly Silva (IR, Spring 2023): Impact of Predators on Grass Shrimp Movement and Habitat Use
- Hailey Hoffman (IR, Spring 2023): Impacts of Predators and Ocean Acidification on Mud Snail Foraging
- Bianca Rodriguez (IR, Spring 2023): Hermit Crab Behavior
- Ayleen Mexquititla (IR, Spring 2023): Grass Shrimp Feeding, Habitat Choice and Social Interactions
- Ashley Hutchison (IR, Spring 2023): The Effects of Salinity on Mud Snail Behavior
- Jillian Connelly (Honors, 2022-23): Predator Avoidance Behavior in the Grass Shrimp Palaemon pugio
- Fabiana Popolla (IR, Spring 2022): Shelter Competition in Grass Shrimp
- Samantha Flickinger (IR, Spring 2022): Predator-Prey Interaction Between Shrimp and Fish
- Anthony DiSipio (SOAR, Summer 2021): Environmental Effects on Group Dynamics in Shrimp
- Melissa Morales (IR, Spring 2021): Impact of Ocean Acidification on Snail Foraging Behavior
- Thomas Mateo (IR, Spring 2021): Effects of Acidification on the Ability of Horseshoe Crabs to Find Food
- Rachel Moser (IR, Spring 2021): Hierarchy Formation and Shelter Use in Freshwater Shrimp
- Sam Rappaport (IR, SOAR, Honors 2020-21): Hierarchy Formation in Coastal Shrimp Species
- Morgan Weaver (IR, Honors 2020-21): Effect of Ocean Acidification on Aggression and Hierarchy Formation in Hermit Crabs
- Katie Mayer (IR, SOAR, Honors 2019-20): Juvenile Lobster Hierarchy Formation in an Acidified Ocean
- Midelys Franceschini (IR, Spring '20): Color Change in the American Lobster
- Siobhan O'Sullivan-Evangelista (IR, Fall '19): How Does Ocean Acidification Interfere with Snail Cue Sensing?
- Matthew Anderson (SOAR 2019): Competition between Native Blue Crabs and Invasive Asian Shore Crabs
- Katie Boyle (SOAR 2018, Honors 2018-19): Effects of Ocean Acidification on Blue Crab Growth and Molting
- Kyle Froehlich (Honors 2018-19): Nonlethal Predator Effects on Snails Under Ocean Acidification Conditions
- Maria Manz (Honors 2017-18): Negative Impact of Ocean Acidification on Foraging in Mud Snails and Oyster Drills
- Catalina Perez (Honors 2017-18): Impact of Dams on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Populations in Streams
