Dr. April MH Blakeslee: Associate Professor, Biology, East Carolina University (Greenville, NC).
I am a member of the Biology Department at East Carolina University, where I started in 2015 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2021. I specialize in conservation biology, invasion biology, parasite ecology, biodiversity, and biogeography in marine systems, where my research focuses on these areas (see more detailed information on the Research page). Prior to my appointment at ECU, I held an Assistant Professor position at Long Island University-Post. During my time at LIU-Post, I taught several undergraduate courses related to general biology and ecology, and a graduate level course, Marine Ecology. Prior to that appointment, I was a postdoctoral fellow in the Marine Invasions Ecology Laboratory at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland under the supervision of Drs. Gregory Ruiz and Whitman Miller. While at SERC, I received two postdoctoral fellowships: the first was a Smithsonian Institution (SI) fellowship, where I focused on the populations genetics and phylogeography of a widespread marine snail, and the second was a fellowship through SI's Marine Science Network, where I investigated host-parasite biogeography, ecology, and population genetics in native and introduced regions. Prior to my appointment at the Smithsonian, I completed my Ph.D. at the University of New Hampshire with advisors, Drs. James (Jeb) Byers and Michael Lesser. My PhD was titled: "Resolving the 150 year debate over the invasion history of the common periwinkle snail, Littorina littorea, in northeast North America." I also hold a BA and MA in Biology from Boston University (Boston, MA). My masters thesis was titled: "Site fidelity in a neotropical migrant species, the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus)."
Contact: [email protected]
I am a member of the Biology Department at East Carolina University, where I started in 2015 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2021. I specialize in conservation biology, invasion biology, parasite ecology, biodiversity, and biogeography in marine systems, where my research focuses on these areas (see more detailed information on the Research page). Prior to my appointment at ECU, I held an Assistant Professor position at Long Island University-Post. During my time at LIU-Post, I taught several undergraduate courses related to general biology and ecology, and a graduate level course, Marine Ecology. Prior to that appointment, I was a postdoctoral fellow in the Marine Invasions Ecology Laboratory at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland under the supervision of Drs. Gregory Ruiz and Whitman Miller. While at SERC, I received two postdoctoral fellowships: the first was a Smithsonian Institution (SI) fellowship, where I focused on the populations genetics and phylogeography of a widespread marine snail, and the second was a fellowship through SI's Marine Science Network, where I investigated host-parasite biogeography, ecology, and population genetics in native and introduced regions. Prior to my appointment at the Smithsonian, I completed my Ph.D. at the University of New Hampshire with advisors, Drs. James (Jeb) Byers and Michael Lesser. My PhD was titled: "Resolving the 150 year debate over the invasion history of the common periwinkle snail, Littorina littorea, in northeast North America." I also hold a BA and MA in Biology from Boston University (Boston, MA). My masters thesis was titled: "Site fidelity in a neotropical migrant species, the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus)."
Contact: [email protected]
Current Graduate Students
Terry Papavasilis: IDPBBC student, 2024-present. Co-advised with Dr. Rebecca Asch. I am secondary advisor.
I am originally from Elkridge, Maryland. My first memory is of my dad taking me deep sea fishing in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I remember once asking the mate on the boat how they knew where the fish were located. He told me the fish live on shipwrecks. I was intrigued!! Numerous trips to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and family vacations to Chincoteague Island, Virginia further cemented my interest in marine ecology. At the age of 13, I was certified as a PADI Junior Open Water Diver and became the youngest volunteer scuba diver at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. I am now a PADI Instructor Development Course Staff Instructor! In July 2025, I conducted my 1000th dive off Morehead City, NC while conducting research for my dissertation. I graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2004. Then, I served as a National Park Ranger at Independence National Historical Park from 2005 to 2019. While I love history, my first passion and true love was always biology. So, I decided to leave federal service and returned to school in the fall of 2019. I attended Millersville University of Pennsylvania where I majored in Biology with a Marine Concentration and minored in Oceanography. I earned Departmental Honors in Biology for my honors thesis, “Landlocked Lessons: A Bathymetric and Biodiversity Survey of Microinvertebrates and Periphyton in Lake Allure, Pennsylvania.” My dissertation is focusing on the community composition of artificial reefs off the coast of Morehead City, North Carolina. I am looking at how community composition changes in relation to distance from the Gulf Stream. In addition, I am curious how artificial reefs form, and I am working on examining ecological succession to answer this question. The third aspect of my research employs the use of citizen scientists to donate lionfish carcasses to examine how which trophic levels are being most affected by these invasive and voracious predators. I hope my dissertation will assist fisheries managers in determining where to place future artificial reefs to encourage fisheries sustainability and economic growth in North Carolina.
Education:
BA History, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2004)
BS Biology, Millersville University of Pennsylvania (2023)
Minor Oceanography, Millersville University of Pennsylvania (2023)
Contact: [email protected]
I am originally from Elkridge, Maryland. My first memory is of my dad taking me deep sea fishing in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I remember once asking the mate on the boat how they knew where the fish were located. He told me the fish live on shipwrecks. I was intrigued!! Numerous trips to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and family vacations to Chincoteague Island, Virginia further cemented my interest in marine ecology. At the age of 13, I was certified as a PADI Junior Open Water Diver and became the youngest volunteer scuba diver at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. I am now a PADI Instructor Development Course Staff Instructor! In July 2025, I conducted my 1000th dive off Morehead City, NC while conducting research for my dissertation. I graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2004. Then, I served as a National Park Ranger at Independence National Historical Park from 2005 to 2019. While I love history, my first passion and true love was always biology. So, I decided to leave federal service and returned to school in the fall of 2019. I attended Millersville University of Pennsylvania where I majored in Biology with a Marine Concentration and minored in Oceanography. I earned Departmental Honors in Biology for my honors thesis, “Landlocked Lessons: A Bathymetric and Biodiversity Survey of Microinvertebrates and Periphyton in Lake Allure, Pennsylvania.” My dissertation is focusing on the community composition of artificial reefs off the coast of Morehead City, North Carolina. I am looking at how community composition changes in relation to distance from the Gulf Stream. In addition, I am curious how artificial reefs form, and I am working on examining ecological succession to answer this question. The third aspect of my research employs the use of citizen scientists to donate lionfish carcasses to examine how which trophic levels are being most affected by these invasive and voracious predators. I hope my dissertation will assist fisheries managers in determining where to place future artificial reefs to encourage fisheries sustainability and economic growth in North Carolina.
Education:
BA History, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2004)
BS Biology, Millersville University of Pennsylvania (2023)
Minor Oceanography, Millersville University of Pennsylvania (2023)
Contact: [email protected]
Carter Stancil: IDPBBC student, 2022-present. Co-advised with Dr. Michael Brewer. I am primary advisor.
Being in Greenville is the closest I've ever lived to the ocean. Growing up in the Midwest and completing my undergrad at BYU, I never imagined that I'd be able to study marine systems. In my undergrad, though, I was able to seek out several research opportunities and get my feet wet (pun intended). My previous research has focused on marine invertebrates (crabs and snails) located in the Pacific rocky intertidal zone and salt marshes in South Carolina. Since attending the Marine Parasitology & Disease course at the Shoals Marine Institute in the summer of 2021, I have not been able to shake my love for parasites! I am most interested in parasites in ecological studies, their role as indicators of overall ecosystem health, and how they impact conservation efforts and industry.
Education:
BS Microbiology, Brigham Young University )2022)
Contact: [email protected]
Being in Greenville is the closest I've ever lived to the ocean. Growing up in the Midwest and completing my undergrad at BYU, I never imagined that I'd be able to study marine systems. In my undergrad, though, I was able to seek out several research opportunities and get my feet wet (pun intended). My previous research has focused on marine invertebrates (crabs and snails) located in the Pacific rocky intertidal zone and salt marshes in South Carolina. Since attending the Marine Parasitology & Disease course at the Shoals Marine Institute in the summer of 2021, I have not been able to shake my love for parasites! I am most interested in parasites in ecological studies, their role as indicators of overall ecosystem health, and how they impact conservation efforts and industry.
Education:
BS Microbiology, Brigham Young University )2022)
Contact: [email protected]
Garrett Maggio: IDPBBC student, 2023-present.
I was born in Southern California and grew up in Massachusetts, making it nearly impossible for me to not fall in love with marine life. Throughout my childhood, my parents would bring me and my brothers on hiking trips, fishing outings, and other nature-oriented activities, all on top of my dad’s passion for exotic pets. I began discovering my academic interests in high school, and continued exploring them while attending Wheaton College in Norton, MA. At Wheaton, I completed two internships focusing on the conservation of diamondback terrapins and other marine life on Cape Cod, and also studied abroad on the Galápagos Islands: these experiences confirmed my desire to pursue graduate school. I received my master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University after completing a thesis in Dr. Mike McCoy’s lab at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. The project focused on the biodiversity of a parasite unique to terrapins, allowing Dr. Blakeslee to join my committee. My thesis sparked a continued interest in exploring how parasites can provide data on host species that are difficult to study. Consequently, my dissertation will build on my thesis and continue exploring the unique terrapin-fluke system in the context of terrapin conservation and using parasites as research tools.
Education:
B.A. Biology (Wheaton College MA 2021)
M.S. Environmental Science (FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute 2023)
Contact: [email protected]
I was born in Southern California and grew up in Massachusetts, making it nearly impossible for me to not fall in love with marine life. Throughout my childhood, my parents would bring me and my brothers on hiking trips, fishing outings, and other nature-oriented activities, all on top of my dad’s passion for exotic pets. I began discovering my academic interests in high school, and continued exploring them while attending Wheaton College in Norton, MA. At Wheaton, I completed two internships focusing on the conservation of diamondback terrapins and other marine life on Cape Cod, and also studied abroad on the Galápagos Islands: these experiences confirmed my desire to pursue graduate school. I received my master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University after completing a thesis in Dr. Mike McCoy’s lab at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. The project focused on the biodiversity of a parasite unique to terrapins, allowing Dr. Blakeslee to join my committee. My thesis sparked a continued interest in exploring how parasites can provide data on host species that are difficult to study. Consequently, my dissertation will build on my thesis and continue exploring the unique terrapin-fluke system in the context of terrapin conservation and using parasites as research tools.
Education:
B.A. Biology (Wheaton College MA 2021)
M.S. Environmental Science (FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute 2023)
Contact: [email protected]
Mic Schulte: M.S. student, Biology, 2023 - present.
My fascination for wildlife began during my childhood in Florida where I spent countless hours interacting with insects, reptiles, and amphibians I found in my own backyard. After moving to NC in 2018, I did a park ranger internship at Carver’s Creek State Park where I learned about longleaf pine forests and the endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker—an experience that further motivated me to pursue a career in the field of conservation. In Fall 2019 I started at UNC Pembroke where I got my B.S. in Biology with a Zoology concentration. During undergrad, I spent two years studying eastern box turtle ecology and gained additional experience with parasite-related lab work and field-based bird surveys. Between my research and coursework, my interests in wildlife ecology, invasion biology, and parasitology strengthened. As a Master’s student in the Blakeslee Lab here at ECU, my thesis work centers on the non-native green porcelain crab (Petrolisthes armatus), a species that has expanded its range along the southeastern U.S. coastline with rising ocean temperatures. I’ll be examining population demographics, reproductive performance, and host-parasite dynamics along a biogeographic gradient—from the cryptogenic portion of the species’ range in the Indian River Lagoon, FL, to the leading edge of its range in Beaufort, NC.
Education:
B.S. Biology, Zoology, University of North Carolina at Pembroke (2022)
Contact: [email protected]
My fascination for wildlife began during my childhood in Florida where I spent countless hours interacting with insects, reptiles, and amphibians I found in my own backyard. After moving to NC in 2018, I did a park ranger internship at Carver’s Creek State Park where I learned about longleaf pine forests and the endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker—an experience that further motivated me to pursue a career in the field of conservation. In Fall 2019 I started at UNC Pembroke where I got my B.S. in Biology with a Zoology concentration. During undergrad, I spent two years studying eastern box turtle ecology and gained additional experience with parasite-related lab work and field-based bird surveys. Between my research and coursework, my interests in wildlife ecology, invasion biology, and parasitology strengthened. As a Master’s student in the Blakeslee Lab here at ECU, my thesis work centers on the non-native green porcelain crab (Petrolisthes armatus), a species that has expanded its range along the southeastern U.S. coastline with rising ocean temperatures. I’ll be examining population demographics, reproductive performance, and host-parasite dynamics along a biogeographic gradient—from the cryptogenic portion of the species’ range in the Indian River Lagoon, FL, to the leading edge of its range in Beaufort, NC.
Education:
B.S. Biology, Zoology, University of North Carolina at Pembroke (2022)
Contact: [email protected]
Meghan Nadzam: M.S. student, Biology, 2024 - present.
Hi! I am currently a Biology Master’s student in the Blakeslee lab at ECU. I grew up in Akron, Ohio, but that didn’t stop me from developing a passion for marine life. When I was five, my aunt and uncle owned a sailboat and traveled across the Caribbean. I fully admired their love for the ocean and environmental values, so I began my interests in sea life at an early age. I earned my B.S in Biology with a minor in Marine Science at Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH. With the help of my advisors, I was able to spend a semester at the Duke University Marine Lab (DUML) in Beaufort, NC. It was there I fell in love with mud snails, parasites, and NC! In the summer of 2021, I applied and received a research grant to fulfill my undergraduate thesis at DUML to study how various parasitic trematode species affected behaviors of their mud snail hosts. Since then, I’ve traveled around the east coast to the Darling Marine Lab in Maine as a journalist and to the Haskin Shellfish Research Lab in New Jersey as a lab technician. My research focuses are with mud snails and parasitic trematodes within various benthic marine ecosystems, specifically how parasite component communities can indirectly influence ecosystem productivity through their hosts.
Education: BS Biology (Wittenberg University)
Contact: [email protected]
Hi! I am currently a Biology Master’s student in the Blakeslee lab at ECU. I grew up in Akron, Ohio, but that didn’t stop me from developing a passion for marine life. When I was five, my aunt and uncle owned a sailboat and traveled across the Caribbean. I fully admired their love for the ocean and environmental values, so I began my interests in sea life at an early age. I earned my B.S in Biology with a minor in Marine Science at Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH. With the help of my advisors, I was able to spend a semester at the Duke University Marine Lab (DUML) in Beaufort, NC. It was there I fell in love with mud snails, parasites, and NC! In the summer of 2021, I applied and received a research grant to fulfill my undergraduate thesis at DUML to study how various parasitic trematode species affected behaviors of their mud snail hosts. Since then, I’ve traveled around the east coast to the Darling Marine Lab in Maine as a journalist and to the Haskin Shellfish Research Lab in New Jersey as a lab technician. My research focuses are with mud snails and parasitic trematodes within various benthic marine ecosystems, specifically how parasite component communities can indirectly influence ecosystem productivity through their hosts.
Education: BS Biology (Wittenberg University)
Contact: [email protected]
Former Graduate Students
Grace Loonam: M.S., Biology, 2023 - 2025. Co-advised with Dr. Rachel Gittman.
Grace was a Master’s student in the Blakeslee and Gittman labs at ECU. Grace focused on conservation biology, ecosystem restoration, invasive species, and invertebrate ecology. Her thesis is entitled: "Biodiversity and habitat characteristics as indicators of community change following oyster reef restoration."
Education:
B.S. Environmental Science, George Mason University (2022)
M.S. Biology, East Carolina University (2025)
Grace was a Master’s student in the Blakeslee and Gittman labs at ECU. Grace focused on conservation biology, ecosystem restoration, invasive species, and invertebrate ecology. Her thesis is entitled: "Biodiversity and habitat characteristics as indicators of community change following oyster reef restoration."
Education:
B.S. Environmental Science, George Mason University (2022)
M.S. Biology, East Carolina University (2025)
Chloe Gabriel: M.S. student, Biology, 2022-2024. Co-advised with Dr. Jim Morley.
Chloe did her Master’s degree in the Blakeslee and Morley labs at ECU. She investigated the mechanism of disease spread and prevalence of Black Gill disease in Penaeid shrimp in NC. Chloe also held a technician position in the lab from 2024-2025. Her masters thesis is entitled: "Prevalence and environmental determinants of Black Gill Disease in Penaeid shrimp within Pamlico Sound"
Education:
B.S. Biology, East Carolina University (2021)
M.S. Biology, East Carolina University (2024)
Chloe did her Master’s degree in the Blakeslee and Morley labs at ECU. She investigated the mechanism of disease spread and prevalence of Black Gill disease in Penaeid shrimp in NC. Chloe also held a technician position in the lab from 2024-2025. Her masters thesis is entitled: "Prevalence and environmental determinants of Black Gill Disease in Penaeid shrimp within Pamlico Sound"
Education:
B.S. Biology, East Carolina University (2021)
M.S. Biology, East Carolina University (2024)
Timothy Lee: Ph.D., Biology, 2017-2023. Tim completed his Ph.D in 2023. His interests were in understanding how emerging invasive species affects structure and functioning of coastal benthic communities on seasonal and temporal scales. His PhD dissertation is entitled: "Diversity and survival of macrofauna associated with the non-native alga Gracilaria vermiculophylla"
Website: tslecology.weebly.com
Education:
BA Environmental Science, University of California, Berkeley (2010)
MS Environmental Science, Oregon State University (2012)
Master of Marine Affairs, University of Washington (2017)
PhD Biology, East Carolina University (2023)
Website: tslecology.weebly.com
Education:
BA Environmental Science, University of California, Berkeley (2010)
MS Environmental Science, Oregon State University (2012)
Master of Marine Affairs, University of Washington (2017)
PhD Biology, East Carolina University (2023)
Haley Hagemeier: M.S., Biology, 2021-2023.
Haley completed her masters in 2023. She focused on salinity tolerance in a native estuarine mud crab, and parasite prevalence and diversity in mud crab species in North Carolina estuaries. Her thesis is entitled: "INVESTIGATING SALINITY TOLERANCE AND PARASITE DIVERSITY IN NATIVE NORTH CAROLINA MUD CRABS"
Education:
B.S. Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Purdue University (2021)
M.S. Biology, East Carolina University (2023)
Haley completed her masters in 2023. She focused on salinity tolerance in a native estuarine mud crab, and parasite prevalence and diversity in mud crab species in North Carolina estuaries. Her thesis is entitled: "INVESTIGATING SALINITY TOLERANCE AND PARASITE DIVERSITY IN NATIVE NORTH CAROLINA MUD CRABS"
Education:
B.S. Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Purdue University (2021)
M.S. Biology, East Carolina University (2023)
Christopher Moore: Biology, 2016-2022.
Chris defended his Ph.D. in 2022. His research focused on parasite diversity in estuarine organisms of North Carolina and how parasites can serve as biodiversity surrogates. His dissertation is entitled: "Trophically Transmitted Parasites as “Cross-taxon Surrogates” of Biodiversity in Coastal Environments". Chris received ECU's dissertation award for the natural sciences in 2023.
Education:
BA Classics, Davidson College (2005)
BS Biology, University of Maryland, College Park (2016)
PhD Biology, East Carolina University (2022)
Chris defended his Ph.D. in 2022. His research focused on parasite diversity in estuarine organisms of North Carolina and how parasites can serve as biodiversity surrogates. His dissertation is entitled: "Trophically Transmitted Parasites as “Cross-taxon Surrogates” of Biodiversity in Coastal Environments". Chris received ECU's dissertation award for the natural sciences in 2023.
Education:
BA Classics, Davidson College (2005)
BS Biology, University of Maryland, College Park (2016)
PhD Biology, East Carolina University (2022)
Laura Lukas: MS, Biology, 2019-2021.
Laura completed her MS in 2021. Her research focused on species of crabs and fish along a salinity gradient, and their interactions with parasite load and environmental mercury levels. Her thesis title is: “BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HOSTS, PARASITES, AND MERCURY”
Education:
B.S. Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington (2014)
M.S. Biology, East Carolina University (2021)
Laura completed her MS in 2021. Her research focused on species of crabs and fish along a salinity gradient, and their interactions with parasite load and environmental mercury levels. Her thesis title is: “BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HOSTS, PARASITES, AND MERCURY”
Education:
B.S. Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington (2014)
M.S. Biology, East Carolina University (2021)
Kyle Swanson: MS, Biology, 2018-2020. Co-advised with Dr. Erin Field.
Kyle completed his MS in 2020. He focused on the microbial diversity of a host crab and its rhizocephalan parasite. His thesis is entitled: “CRABS & ‘CROBES: THE TRIPARTITE RELATIONSHIP OF A HOST, PARASITE, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE MICROBIOMES”
Education:
BS Biology, Humboldt State University (2016)
MS Biology, East Carolina University (2020)
Kyle completed his MS in 2020. He focused on the microbial diversity of a host crab and its rhizocephalan parasite. His thesis is entitled: “CRABS & ‘CROBES: THE TRIPARTITE RELATIONSHIP OF A HOST, PARASITE, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE MICROBIOMES”
Education:
BS Biology, Humboldt State University (2016)
MS Biology, East Carolina University (2020)
Rebecca Barnard: MS, Biology, 2016-2018.
Becca completed her MS in 2018. She was interested in the effects that not only non-native species have on a community structure, but also how native and non-native parasites interact with potential hosts and the effects we see in the hosts. Her thesis title is: “A Crab Trilogy: influence of parasites on interactions and interrelations among two introduced and one native crab”
Education:
BS Biology, Temple University (2013)
MS Biology, East Carolina University (2018)
Becca completed her MS in 2018. She was interested in the effects that not only non-native species have on a community structure, but also how native and non-native parasites interact with potential hosts and the effects we see in the hosts. Her thesis title is: “A Crab Trilogy: influence of parasites on interactions and interrelations among two introduced and one native crab”
Education:
BS Biology, Temple University (2013)
MS Biology, East Carolina University (2018)
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