Although it’s still early days in buidling up the ‘Echinonerd Lab“, I’m excited to introduce you to my fantastic team of enthusiastic & dedicated marine scientists.
Dr Coleen Suckling – Principal Investigator
I am a highly motivated eco-physiologist interested in seeing how organisms respond to differing environmental settings with a scope to sustain marine based food supplies to help retain economic & environmental sustainability. In the context of my 14 years of aquaculture experience I’ve worked directly in industry in Africa (tiger prawns), research technical posts (UK) & directly in academic contexts (Cambridge) applying a climate change aspect to my work.
Lauren Aylward – Graduate Research Assistant
I joined the research team when it was based in the UK in 2017. As a competitively funded Intern, I assisted in investigating reproductive health and kinetics of sea urchins reared in near-future climate change conditions. After being involved in designing and implementing the experimental work, my collaborative involvement continues with Dr Suckling while I begin my PhD studies in the University of Liverpool, UK.
Anna Byczynski – Student Research Assistant
I am a Marine Biology major & Animal & Veterinary Science minor student in my senior year. I am interested in learning more about animal physiology related to climate change affects, that being sea urchin response to low pH conditions.
Alli McKenna – Student Research Technician
Max Zavella – URI2 Researcher 
I am a Senior B.S. Marine Biology student. I am currently studying how two different species of sea urchins utilize energy from different diets for prospective commercial interest. In the future, I plan to study the physiological and ecological effects of anthropogenic stressors on marine organisms and ecosystems.
Lab Alumni
Hannah Balquist – Coastal Fellow
I am a Senior at the University of Rhode Island completing a Biological Sciences degree. My Coastal and Environmental Fellows research project examines the impacts of microplastics on sea star larvae. In the future, I hope to continue this type of work and educate the public about just how much human activity impacts our whole planet, even down to the smallest species.
Laura Berard – Summer Intern / Student Technician
I am a Marine Biology student in my senior year. Becoming a technician for this project allowed me to learn how much I enjoy participating in research, and I know it will only continue to help me achieve my goals and develop my future as a marine biologist.
Erin Carlson – Student Technician
I am an upcoming senior at the University of Rhode Island studying marine biology. I got involved in this project because I believe studies of this nature carry a level of importance because it brings to light how the issues of climate change will effect us locally in the near future. I would like to continue studying the impacts of change in an array of marine ecosystems, and this study was a great introduction into that area of research.
Danielle Jorge – Student Technician
I am a junior Marine Biology major. Climate change is of great interest to me, as I hope to work in climate policy in the future. My goals are to use my science background to further understand the importance of the impacts of climate change in order to help the general population and government better understand the importance of the need for mitigation.
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