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CHESAPEAKE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY I SOLOMONS, MDISSUE 103Lab LinesMarch 20251Directors ViewSpring has certainly sprung, our facilities team have been busily tending to thegrounds making our campus look fantastic, and also dealing with theunexpected emergencies (like sewage line breaks) that typically seem to occuron Fridays! Bu Spring is also for new beginnings and I am delighted toannounce that our new CBL Director, Dr. Beth Polidoro will be joining ourcommunity on August 1 st , 2025. Dr. Polidoro is renowned expert in marinescience and environmental chemistry and joins us from Arizona StateUniversity.We also have many other things to celebrate around campus. Dr. JackieGrebmeier received this year’s Excellence in Scholarship or Research Award, thehighest honor bestowed by the University System of Maryland (USM) Board ofRegents to recognize exemplary facultyachievement. This award honors herglobal Leadership in understanding the ecology and changes in Arctic systemsand notably her development of the Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO)that monitors changes in the ocean. Matt Stefanak, Ph.D. student in RyanWoodland’s laboratory received the Best Student Presentation award at therecent 2025 Tidewater Chapter of the American Fisheries Society conference inNorth Carolina.Our scientists are being called upon by National and International agencies andworking groups and have been presenting their science around the globe. Forexample, Dr. Tom Miller has been appointed to a National Academiescommittee, Lisa Wainger and Elizabeth Price provided testimony to MarylandState legislators concerning coal transport.Events in March were kicked off on the 5th with a visit from UMCES PresidentFernando Miralles-Wilhelm with an update on UMCES at the Town Hall meetingand meetings with all employee groups throughout the day. UMCES PresidentEmeritus Dr. Don Boesch kicked off the celebratory tour of his book ‘PredictiveEcology’ overviewing the 100-year history of UMCES. If you missed this event,no worries as Dr. Boesch will be back on April 8 th starting off our 5-weekScience for Community Seminar Series this Spring. Please join us on Tuesdaysat 7pm in the Bernie Fowler Laboratory or online via the webinar option. Message

In Case You Missed It2Lisa Wainger and Elizabeth Price were asked by theMaryland League of Conservation Voters toprovide informational testimony to the MarylandHouse (March 11) and Senate (Feb 27) regardingthe proposed bill, Coal Cleanup and AsthmaMitigation Fund bill (HB1088 / SB0882). Theproposed bill would establish a fee on coal beingtransported through Maryland and direct therevenue for asthma treatment and climateprograms. Their research investigated potentialeffects of the fee on exports from the Port ofBaltimore. They used Geographical InformationSystem (GIS) network analysis and other analysesto examine the cost and distance of diverting coalexports to an alternative port in Virginia. Theyfound a low likelihood that mines in NorthernAppalachia would switch to alternative ports due tothe large increase in distance and costs. However,they also noted the potential for reduced exports ifmines were forced to increase prices, dependingon market conditions.Lael Collins and Matt Stefanak recentlypresented their research at the 2025 TidewaterChapter of the American Fisheries Societymeeting in Morehead City, NC. Lael gave apresentation titled "Characterizing mysid dietsin the Chesapeake Bay using DNAmetabarcoding". Matt gave a presentationtitled, "Trophic dynamics of the ChesapeakeBay plume as a resource subsidizer of keyjuvenile fish species". Matt received the BestStudent Presentation award at the PhD level!Photo Credit: Matt StefanakPhoto Credit: Lael CollinsPhoto Credit: Lisa WaingerPhoto Credit: Lisa Wainger

In Case You Missed It3SEAS Islands Alliance Summit, St. Thomas, USVILora Harris and Will Dorsey joined colleagues from HornPoint Lab, IMET, and MD SeaGrant to attend a summitmeeting of the SEAS Islands Alliance at the University ofthe Virgin Islands, St. Thomas. Over 60 attendees,including the SEAS Backbone and Research Teams,faculty, fellows, and students from the US IslandTerritories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and USVI, andcommunity partners, spent three days recognizingsuccesses and achievements of the last five years,analyzing the collective impact of their efforts, andcharting possible paths forward for sustaining thisprogram into the future.Have any noteworthy news to share with the public?Don’t forget to share it with the UMCEScommunication team!CLICK HEREPhoto Credit: William DorseyPhoto Credit: William DorseyPhoto Credit: William DorseyPauline Lawrence was selected as a recipient of the 2025 UMCESCentennial Presidential Fellowship. Pauline is currently a senior at St.Mary's College of Southern Maryland and has been working in theWoodland Lab on her Honors Thesis research into the use of eye lenscarbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition as a tracer of habitatuse by Spot. Pauline has been volunteering and helping out at CBLsince 2024 and has already participated in numerous researchactivities, including an oceanographic cruise aboard the R/V HughSharp (UNOLS) and local efforts in support of Nina Santos' MysidFestprogram and the CBL PAX cruises. Pauline will be starting as a new MSstudent in the MEES Program in August 2025. The photo shows Pauline(right) aboard the R/V Sharp w/Iman Deanparvar (2024 REU student,Lapham Lab).Photo Credit: Ryan Woodland

In Case You Missed It4Lee Cooper, Jackie Grebmeier and adjunct faculty memberChristina Goethel traveled to the Arctic Science SummitWeek (ASSW) meeting in Boulder, Colorado, which was heldin the United States for the first time since 2016.Photo Credit: Jackie GrebmeierLee Cooper speaks at a UN Decade of Ocean Science for SustainableDevelopment session at the ASSW. Seated on stage to the right is formerCBL student Chelsea Koch, now an assistant professor at AmericanUniversity, who also presented information about her work on the UNDecade while a consultant to UNESCO.Christina Goethel doing her presentation abouther experience as an early career scientist at CBLinvolved in Arctic research.The Indigenous pavilion here where high latitudeIndigenous culture is being shared.Jackie Grebmeier and Lee Cooperenjoying the Indigenous art exhibit. (pictured above and left)Photo Credit: Jackie GrebmeierPhoto Credit: Jackie GrebmeierPhoto Credit: Jackie GrebmeierPhoto Credit:Lee CooperPhoto Credit:Lee CooperPhoto Credit:Lee CooperAt the summit there has been a lotof discussions about Indigenousknowledge and co-production ofknowledge. There is a big presenceof Indigenous people attending.(photo above)

In Case You Missed It5Dr. Beth Polidoro Named Director of UMCESChesapeake Biological LaboratoryDr. Beth Polidoro, an esteemed marine scientist and environmentalchemist, has been appointed Director of the Chesapeake BiologicalLaboratory (CBL) at the University of Maryland Center forEnvironmental Science (UMCES), effective August 1, 2025. She willlead research on critical coastal and Chesapeake Bay issues, fostercollaborations, and guide the translation of science into policy.Dr. Polidoro joins from Arizona State University, where she heldleadership roles and contributed significantly to marine conservation.She’s involved with the International Union for the Conservation ofNature (IUCN) and has published over 80 highly cited scientific papers.She holds multiple degrees, including a Ph.D. in soil and waterresources. On April 8, 2025 at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL) UMCES President Emeritus Dr. Donald Boesch gave a presentationthat kicked off our Science for Communities seminar series. reflecting on the history of UMCES, marking a century ofgroundbreaking scientific contributions. In this special event heldat CBL, Dr. Boesch shared insights from his newly published book,Predictive Ecology: The History of UMCES 1925 - 2025. The book, atribute to the institution’s 100-year evolution, traces the university’sjourney from its modest beginnings under Reginald Truitt to theglobal powerhouse it is today.The evening was more than just a book reading—it was an homageto the institution’s profound impact on the environment,particularly its role in the protection and restoration of theChesapeake Bay. As one of the oldest and most prestigiousenvironmental research institutions in the country, UMCES hasbeen instrumental in shaping policy, advancing scientificunderstanding, and providing leadership in efforts to protect oneof the nation’s most vital ecosystems.Reflections on a Century of Impact: Donald Boesch on UMCES and the Chesapeake Bay

In Case You Missed It6UMCES cyberinfrastructure professionals X. Guo, B. Fisher, and V. Lyubchich traveled to Denver, Colorado to facilitatea two-day workshop "AI Unlocked: Empowering Higher Ed through Research and Discovery" (https://nairrpilot.org/ai-unlocked) organized by NAIRR Pilot. The primary goal of this workshop is to connect U.S. based higher educationaffiliates with valuable information and resources to deepen their understanding of how to leverage AI in their currentwork, while also equipping participants with the skills necessary to advance their careers and achieve their specificprofessional objectives. Please reach out to the UMCES professionals with your computing needs.President Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm VisitPhoto Credit: Slava LyubchichPhoto Credit: Slava LyubchichOn March 5 UMCES President FernandoMiralles-Wilhelm visited CBL to give an all-hands town meeting to provide an overviewon updates at UMCES.th

Awards7Jackie Grebmeier recognized by University System of MarylandBoard of Regents for excellence in research in Arctic SciencesProfessor Jackie Grebmeier of the University of Maryland Center forEnvironmental Science (UMCES) has been honored with a 2025Excellence in Scholarship or Research Award from the UniversitySystem of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents. This prestigious awardrecognizes her outstanding contributions to environmental science,particularly in Arctic ecology. Grebmeier is widely recognized for herpioneering work in monitoring Arctic ecosystems, particularly through the creation of the Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO). The DBO tracks climate change in the oceanand has expanded globally, with Grebmeier playing a central role in its growth. Her long-term research inthe region has been crucial in understanding Arctic ecosystem changes and predicting future impacts.Her research has had significant global influence, contributing to both national and international policydecisions on Arctic environmental issues. She has also been a key advisor to various governmental andinternational Arctic programs. Dr. Mitchelmore, a colleague, highlighted Grebmeier’s transformative role inadvancing Arctic ecosystem research.The Board of Regents Faculty Awards celebrate distinguished faculty achievements across variouscategories, including research, teaching, and public service. Grebmeier’s recognition places her amongmany esteemed UMCES scholars who have also received this honor.This year’s awards were presented at a ceremony at Towson State University on April 11th, 2025.Around CampusPhoto Credit: Dale GarnerThe CBL Facilities team repaired the Beaven Hallsewage line. Tom Miller has been appointed to a NationalAcademies Committee to undertake a peer reviewof the Marine Recreational Information ProgramData Standards. The committee will meet 3-4times over the next year and will deliver its reportby January 2026.

In the News8Members of the Executive Program Class of '25Gather for the First TimeOn Monday, May 10, LeadershipMaryland held its annual New ClassReception to welcome the incomingmembers of the Executive ProgramClass of '25 in Annapolis. Guestsincluded the class members, thosewho nominated them, LMD boardmembers, and Lifetime Members. Hon.Jake Day '15, Secretary of Housing andCommunity Development, greeted theclass and wished them well as theyembark on their eight month journeywith Leadership Maryland. Heencouraged them to build strongrelationships and to make the most oftheir time together. We welcome allnew class members and thank Sec.Day for attending our reception. See more photos from the reception onFacebook here or LinkedIn here.The R/V Carson was towed to General Shipyard inBaltimore on February 26 and work has commenced onthe vessel.Where in the world is Carys Mitchelmore?

Upcoming Events9A reminder with more details will be arriving inabout two months. But please RSVP now!The American Association for UniversityWomen (AAUW) subunit at CBL is hosting the2nd annual March Mammal Madness. Anyoneat CBL can fill out a bracket and we wouldlove for YOU to participate! Similar to theNCAA Basketball Tournament, severalanimals will be battling each other (through asimulation). If you would like to participate,please fill out your bracket by picking yourwinners battle by battle. When your bracket iscompleted, please share it tokwade@umces.edu by March 10th at 5pm.There will be prizes for the first three winnersas well as bragging rights!

Electrical SafetyThe primary hazards of electrical equipment are electrocution, shock, burns, explosions, fires and falls due toimproper use or poor maintenance. Our bodies offer low resistance to the flow of current which makes it easy for aperson to become part of the electrical circuit, resulting in serious injury or death. Here are some guidelines to helpyou use electrical equipment safely in the laboratory. You should also be aware of any particular electrical needs ofyour workspace to avoid any possibility of injury to personnel or overloading of the circuits.1. All wiring and connections must be properly insulated to prevent contact with electrical current.2. Electrical equipment needs to be UL certified and not modified in some way.3. Inspect cords daily for damage. Replace any frayed or damaged cords.4. Keep equipment away from water sources, sinks and flood zones. If there is an outlet near a sink, it should be aGFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet.5. Use only spark free equipment near flammables.6. Place equipment in areas to lessen any possibility of a spill onto it or vapors being carried into it.7. Always turn off or unplug power (from the wall, not the equipment) before doing any maintenance or repairs.8. Know the location of the circuit breaker panels and how to operate the shutoff switch.9. Do not force a plug into an outlet. Use the proper receptacle/plug combination and do not use three-to-two prongadapters.10. Cords should not dangle from counters or hoods. They should also be in a place where they will not come intocontact with hot surfaces.11. Avoid extension cord use if possible because equipment should be plugged directly into an outlet. Make surethe extension cord is the correct amperage for the device in use and place the cord where it will not be a trip hazard.If you are having to use extension cords or strip plugs regularly, you may need more outlets.12. Do not “daisy-chain” power strips or cords. This may cause the outlet to overheat and catch fire.13. In the case of electrocution – DO NOT TOUCH THE PERSON!! You will become part of the circuit. If it ispossible, pull the plug from the outlet or got to the circuit breaker panel and push the shutoff switch. If you have to,you can use non-conductive material such as a wooden broom handle to move the person from the source. Call911.References and other sourceshttps://ehs.research.uiowa.edu/electrical-safety-laboratoryhttps://ehs.unc.edu/topics/electrical-safety/https://www.drs.illinois.edu/Page/SafetyLibrary/ElectricalSafetyInTheResearchLaboratoryhttps://www.safety.fsu.edu/safety_manual/Electrical%20Safety%20in%20the%20Laboratory.pdfhttps://www.mynewlab.com/blog/guide-electrical-safety-lab/https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHAquickfacts-lab-safety-electrical-hazards.pdfhttps://www.labmanager.com/electrical-safety-in-the-lab-20059WWW.UMCES.edu/cbl I 410-326-4281P.O. Box 38 I 146 Williams Street I Solomons, MD 20688-003810Safety Corner: Cheryl Clark