Lora Harris, Ph.D.

Location:

Research Topics:

Coastal and Estuarine Processes , Modeling and Analysis

Research Interests:

Lora Harris is an estuarine ecologist with diverse skills and interests. She utilizes field and modeling approaches to address important questions regarding nutrient dynamics, primary production and ecosystem structure and function in a range of estuarine ecosystems. Lora is interested in climate impacts on estuaries and lagoons, with a particular interest in salt marsh and sea grass ecosystems. Some of her most recent work has involved participatory modeling efforts involving stakeholders and managers seeking solutions to improve water quality in Delmarva coastal lagoons.

Visit http://www.umces.edu/lora-harris for more about their expertise, education, and contact information.

Students:

2023 - Sam Irwin, San Diego State University

2021 - Hector Arbuckle, Iowa State University

2019 - Olivia Lopez, University of Wisconsin Madison

2017 - Brooke Iacone, Rowan University (NJ)

2016 - Alexia Rodriguez, University of Minnesota

2015 - Peter Han, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

2013 - Jade Bowins, Sacred Heart University

2012 - Yasiel Figueroa, University of Puerto Rico

2011 - Emily Gravens, Montana State University, Bozeman

2011 - Hilary Staver, University of Maryland, College Park

2010 - Kelly Rooker, Bridgewater College

2009 - Laura Almodovar Acevedo, University of Puerto Rico

2008 - Keala Cummings, Scripps College

Student Presentations:

Arbuckle, H.* and L. Harris. 2021. Land use and nitrogen loading in Calvert County tidal creeks. Coastal Estuarine Research Federation Biennial Meeting, Virtual.
Lopez, O.*, L. Harris, J.M. Testa, and I. Sanchez Viruet. 2020. Phosphorus Uptake in Floating Wetlands: A Mass Balance Approach. Ocean Sciences Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Rodriguez, A.* and L. Harris. 2017. Nitrogen fluxes in tidal creeks of the Patuxent River . ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii .
Figueroa, Y. A.*, J. Bryan, and L. Harris. 2012. The effects of plant density on the morphological and biomechanical properties of a tidal wetland macrophyte: Zizania aquatic. SACNAS National Conference, Seattle, Washington .
Rooker, K.*, and L. Harris. 2011. The modeling and evaluation of wild rice Zizania aquatica particle capture at Jug Bay, Maryland . ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting, San Juan, PR .
Almodovar, L.*, and L. Harris. 2009. Sediment dynamics at Jug Bay wetland sanctuary, Maryland . Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation 20th Biennial Conference, Portland, Oregon .
Cummings, K.*, and L. Harris. 2009. Investigation of the impact of vegetation on sediment rates in a fresh water tidal wetland, Jug Bay, Maryland . Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation 20th Biennial Conference, Portland, Oregon .

RECENT REU FELLOWS

Keoni Young
University: Milwaukee School of Engineering
Class Year: 2022
Update: Awarded NSF GRFP in 2023. PhD student in Environmental Engineering at University of Michigan
Anji Cooper
University: University of Delaware
Class Year: 2022
Update: Masters student studying living shorelines at UMCES HPL
Jack Dotzler
University: Loyola College
Class Year: 2022
Update: PhD student in biogeochemistry at Stony Brook University
Dalia Bercow
University: Haverford College
Class Year: 2022
Update: Research Assistant studying HIV immunotherapies with The Wistar Institute
Desa Bolger
University: Scripps College
Class Year: 2022
Update: Masters student in Environmental Management at Duke University. Co-director of SkyDay.
Zachary Shamah
University: University of Miami
Class Year: 2021
Update: Content creator with CIEE Council on International Educational Exchange
Melissa Solis
University: Old Dominion University
Class Year: 2021
Update: Associate Scientist with Microbac Laboratories, Inc.
Hector Arbuckle
University: Iowa State University
Class Year: 2021
Update: Executive and Engagement Assistant with the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Melissa Vezard
University: California State University, Monterey Bay
Class Year: 2021
Update: Masters student in the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California Santa Barbara
Mia Lenzenweger
University: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Class Year: 2021
Update: Natural Resources Technician with Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Julia Sharapi
University: Gettysburg College
Class Year: 2021
Update: Graduate Research Assistant with the Center for Applied Isotope Studies at the University of Georgia
Samuel Arnold
University: Dickinson College
Class Year: 2021
Update: Geographic Information System Analyst with Inteliquest
Kennedy Quillen
University: Coastal Carolina University
Class Year: 2021
Update: Graduate Research Fellow studying fish and coral reef ecology at University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Ninoshka Betancourt Gómez
University: Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Cupey
Class Year: 2020
Update: SEAS Islands Alliance Workforce Fellow
Nikki Jackson
University: Agnes Scott College
Class Year: 2020
Update: Climate Resilience Fellow with Pennsylvania Sea Grant
Theresa Murphy
University: St. Mary's College of Maryland
Class Year: 2020
Update: Faculty Research Technician with UMCES Woodland Lab
Joshua Dalo
University: University of New England
Class Year: 2019
Update: Analytical Scientist with FreeThink Technologies, Inc.
Alina Martinez
University: University of the District of Columbia
Class Year: 2019
Update: Applied Mathematics Gradate Student at Stony Brook University
Nina Woodard
University: Andrews University
Class Year: 2019
Update: Habitat Resilience Specialist with Program for Local Adaptation to Climate Effects: Sea Level Rise (NOAA)
Abigail Nalesnik
University: Salisbury University
Class Year: 2019
Update: Graduate Student at University of Delaware
Jayvoni Francis
University: University of Virgin Islands
Class Year: 2019
Update: Natural Resource Specialist with NOAA Washington Coast - Lower Columbia. RAY Diversity Fellow 2021 cohort.
Ella Kaplan
University: University of Minnesota
Class Year: 2018
Update: Engineer with Baltimore County. Presented at ASLO 2019.
Tony Chan
University: City College of New York
Class Year: 2019
Update: High School Physics Teacher
Caroline James
University: Assumption College
Class Year: 2019
Update: Mathematics Instructor at Hillside School
Olivia Saliger
University: Towson University
Class Year: 2019
Update: Natural Resources Planner at Maryland Department of the Environment
Luca Cherubini
University: Loyola University Chicago
Class Year: 2019
Update: Laboratory Technician with 3M
Olivia Lopez
University: University of Wisconsin Madison
Class Year: 2019
Update: RAY Conservation Diversity Fellow with Ocean Conservancy
Alan Williams
University: University of Arizona
Class Year: 2019
Update: PhD student at UMCES HPL
Emma Wilkinson
University: Flagler College
Class Year: 2021
Update: Awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and will be attending the Virginia Institute of Marine Science for her MS in marine science.
Lauren Rodriguez
University: Michigan State University
Class Year: 2019
Update: Graduate Research Assistant at the Bailey Lab, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Jonathan Leathers
University: University of Maryland College park
Class Year: 2021
Update: Stream restoration specialist with Century Engineering
Natasha De La Cruz
University: Florida State University
Class Year: 2019
Update: Legislative Advocacy Intern at Riverkeeper
Victoria Moreno
University: University of Richmond
Class Year: 2018
Update: Completed her masters at Oregon State; COMPASS Science Communication fellow in 2021; Sea Grant Knauss fellow in 2022
Ben Lane
University: St. Olaf College
Class Year: 2018
Update: Presented at ASLO 2019
Shirley Ma
University: Emory University
Class Year: 2018
Update: Presenting at ASLO 2019
Elizabeth Grzyb
University: American University
Class Year: 2018
Update: Presented at Council for Undergraduate Research Symposium 2018
Lillian Henderson
University: University of Rochester
Class Year: 2018
Update: Presented at AGU 2018
Norberto Latorre Arzola
University: Universidad del Turabo
Class Year: 2018
Update: Presented at ASLO 2019

REU NEWS

Eight students will be presenting the summer work at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in March 2022!
2019 REUs presented at the CERF Conference in Mobile, AL
Olivia Saliger won a student presentation awards for talk at the 2019 Coastal Estuarine Research Federation Meeting. Her REU mentor was Judy O'Neil.
Congratulations to 2015 REU Alison Aceves for being selected as an honorable mention in the 2015 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program competition.
In February 2016, seven REUs from the 2015 cohort presented their research findings at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Congratulations to 2015 REU Hope Ianiri on receiving the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2016)!
Jeanette Davis, Ph.D. (REU '06) published a children's book, Science is Everywhere.
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