People | bowenlab

Graduate Students

Ellie Handler

I am broadly interested in the roles of microbe-host relationships in coastal ecosystems, especially the ways these interactions can affect biogeochemical cycling. I am also fascinated by ecological restoration and the ways that we, as people, interact with and shape the world around us. During my PhD, I hope to investigate the potential role of microbes in marsh restoration practices. I am co-advised with Dr. Randall Hughes. Prior to starting at Northeastern, I received a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Yale University and an M.S. in Arctic and Marine Ecology from the University of Tromsø. I have also worked in science communications and fisheries monitoring in Sitka, AK.

Mya Darsan

I am interested in studying microbial ecology within salt marshes and coastal ecosystems. With the Bowen Lab, I hope to assess how climate change is impacting these microbial communities and how fungi play a role within the marsh. I earned my B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science with a specialization in ecosystems from the University at Albany (SUNY). My previous research experiences involved assessing the microbial ecology and ecophysiology of marine bivalves and assessing phenotypic variations between genetes of stony coral. I acted as a research and peer mentor to historically underrepresented and/or economically disadvantaged students through NYS STEP/CSTEP throughout my undergraduate education and hope to continue disseminating science and mentoring students throughout my Ph.D. As a woman of color, I hope to further contribute to diversity and inclusivity efforts within marine science and make science more accessible to all.

Stephanie Tsui

I am interested in biogeochemical processes in coastal systems, specifically looking at nitrogen pathways. Before joining the Bowen Lab, I earned my B.S. from the University of California, Davis in Environmental Science and Management with a minor in Soil Science. I also worked as a technician at Iowa State University studying greenhouse gas fluxes in wetland environments. Additionally, I am passionate about STEM outreach and worked as a STEM Educator for the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey. With the Bowen Lab, I hope to investigate nitrogen dynamics in the sediments below oyster aquaculture or salt marsh ecosystems, and the denitrifying communities involved.

Johanna L'Heureux

Broadly, I am interested in host-microbe interactions and how they respond to and shape their environment. Before starting at Northeastern, I received my bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst in Biochemistry where I studied the intricate symbiosis between legumes and nitrogen fixing soil bacteria. Other past research experiences have involved formulating probiotics to increase viability throughout storage as well as characterizing the effects of mixtures of plant growth-promoting bacteria on seedling germination when subjected to heat stress. While in the Bowen lab, I hope to conduct research related to plant-microbial associations in salt marsh ecosystems and the role they play in the cycling of carbon and nitrogen. I also hope to learn more about how to better communicate scientific topics so that science can have the greatest impact in helping solve the global challenges we are currently facing.

Hillary Sullivan

I am interested in how ecosystem functioning is altered by anthropogenic activities. More specifically, I study how salt marsh nitrogen cycling and related processes change in the face of shifting climate and altered human activity. During my PhD, I expect to delve deeper into the mechanisms that drive crucial biogeochemical processes. Prior to joining the Bowen lab, I received my B.A. and M.S. from Clark University. I also worked as a Lab Manager in a biogeochemistry lab at the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, and a Research Assistant at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. I have worked at the Woods Hole Research Center for the past three years, and will continue here full-time while working toward my PhD.

Brian Donnelly

I joined the Bowen Lab after working as a laboratory technician at Villanova University. At Villanova, I worked in a biogeochemistry lab that focused on marshes and how changes in the environment can impact metabolic rates. I hope to continue biogeochemical work in marsh systems, but also investigate how microbial community structure and function shifts as a result of environmental change. I hope to investigate how denitrifying communities change as a result of pulse and press changes in salinity and temperature, as I believe these are the most relevant global climate change drivers. Investigating these shifts in denitrifying communities could give us valuable information on how the nitrogen cycle responds to global change. Also, as a gay person in STEM, I hope to find ways to make the LGBTQ community more visible in STEM, act as a mentor to young LGBTQ people pursuing a career in STEM, and let this underrepresented community know they are not alone!

Postdoctoral Scholars

I am a future-faculty postdoctoral fellow co-advised by Jen Bowen and Randall Hughes. I am a community ecologist and excited by all things fungi! Particularly, I am interested in applying well established macro community ecology ideas to microbial systems, specifically in response to multiple stressors often induced by aspects of global change. My PhD work primarily focused on fungal root endophyte community assembly, plant-fungi interactions, and succession all in response to nitrogen addition in the Great Lakes Sand Dunes. Additionally, I am committed to increasing science literacy and inclusivity in STEM, with my personal philosophy being education as a form of empowerment. I am particularly interested in using evidence-based pedagogy as a tool to break down learning barriers and increase accessibility in the classroom. I continue to pursue education research as an action towards progressing the academic experience for undergraduate students, particularly those from minoritized backgrounds. You can learn more about my work here.

Kylea Garces

I am a postdoctoral research associate scholar in the Bowen Lab. My work focuses on the processes that shape the deposition and preservation of organic carbon in coastal wetland sediments. I study the processes of plant and microbial ecology and coastal hydrology and sedimentology that control organic matter formation, burial, and preservation. I am studying how nitrogen inputs, a major anthropogenic influence on coastal ecosystems, affects the ability of salt marshes on the East Coast of the U.S.A. to sequester carbon and to accrete sediment. I am helping conduct a three-year field study of how different amounts and chemical forms of nitrogen fertilization drive changes in plant biomass accumulation, microbial community response, and sediment carbon sequestration and accretion. Prior to coming to Northeastern University, I conducted doctoral research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), UC San Diego, on sediment carbon stocks in mangrove forests in the Americas.

Matt Costa

Post-Baccalaureate Students

Alexandra Figueroa
I am part of the pilot Coastal Connections post-bac programs, contributing to the research at the NSF PIE LTER site. As an undergraduate, I gained years of research experience in ecotoxicology, which I now apply to understanding microbes' responses and their relation to nitrogen inputs at the LTER site. I aspire to study Biological Oceanography in a Ph.D. program, to understand how anthropogenic pollutants impact invertebrates and the marine environment. My long-term career goal is to apply my expertise and passion to become a leader in ocean conservation and science. I also seeks to support environmental justice initiatives in vulnerable communities on both a local and global scale.

Undergraduate students

Camille Kroot
I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in environmental and sustainability sciences with a concentration in earth, oceans, and environmental change. Broadly, I am interested in salt marshes and how they react to changing environmental conditions in the face of climate change. Currently, I help with research involving how different nitrogen inputs affect natural cycles in salt marshes. I am excited to expand my knowledge in a field and lab setting as well as explore different areas of research.

Luke Bagdonas
I’m a second year undergraduate chemistry major currently on coop in the Bowen Lab. I help assist with research focusing on how different forms of nitrogen affect the biogeochemistry and carbon cycling of salt marsh ecosystems. While working here I hope to expand my knowledge of environmental chemistry and gain new skills both in the field and laboratory which I don’t normally experience in my degree track.

Former graduate students and postdocs

Joe Vineis

Currently a postdoc at Princeton

Currently at Clearwater Aquarium

Kerry McNally

Andrea Unzueta Martinez

Currently a postdoc at Harvard

John Angell (PhD)

Currently at University of S. Florida

Annie Murphy

Currently a Senior Scientist at Inspire Environmental

Currently a post-doc at UNH

Ashley Bulseco (PhD)

Patrick Kearns (PhD)

Currently a research professor at UMass Boston

Sarah Feinman (PhD)

Currently at the Great Bay NERR

Kenly Hiller (PhD)

Currently an analyst at Tessella

Former undergrads

NSF Funded REUs

Northeastern University Interns/Honors/Co-op students

UMass Undergraduate Honors students

Katie Conese (2019; Notre Dame)

Ross Ackerman (2017; Bates College)

Helen Hoyt (2016; Carleton College)
Taylor Matthew (2016; Wesleyan University)
Rachel Vincent (2015; U. Massachusetts Boston)
Andrea Unzueta Martinez (2015; University of Hawaii)
Dakota Holloway (2014; Washington and Jefferson)
Jonathan Bauer (2014; Central Connecticut State)
Abigail Tyrell (2013; Tufts University)
Collin Knauss (2012; Colorado College)
Codi Leitner (2012; Wesleyan University)
Snezhana Sharipova (2012; U. Massachusetts Boston)
Patrick Kearns (2011; U. Massachusetts Boston)
Michelle Jimenez (2011; Brown University)

Haley Nickel (2022)

Phoebe Lettington (2022)

Julia Feldman (2022)

Pauline Lim (2022)

Liam McCoart (2022)

Justine Canna (2021)

Julia Holtzer (2020)

Abigail Eilar (2020)

Heather Welch (2019)

Sean Osborne (2018)

Emma Riccardi (2018)

Itxaso Garay (2017)

Rachel Vincent (2016)

Pablo Joshua Aguirre (2016)

Khang Tran (2016)

Ian Craick (2015)

Yuna Farah (2015)

Samantha Brown (2014)

Jennifer Yu (2014)

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