Network Staff
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Penelope received her Ph.D. in Statistics and Environmetrics at Virginia Tech in 2005, and her M.S. in Ecological Statistics from Oregon State University in 1996. Her dissertation research focused on using Bayesian finite mixture models to improve understanding of horseshoe crab (L. polyphemus) spawning patterns in the Delaware Bay. Prior to beginning her Ph.D. at Virginia Tech, she worked at the USGS Leetown Science Center Aquatic Ecology Laboratory for three years. While there, she collaborated on researching sampling designs and analysis methods for mussels in West Virginia and Pennsylvania rivers and horseshoe crab spawning in the Delaware Bay. Her expertise includes ecological sampling design, statistical modeling of ecological data, and Bayesian analysis methods.
Dennis received his M.S. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Rhode Island in 2003 and his B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology from Brown University in 1995. His graduate research focused on the assessment of vernal pools as breeding habitat for vulnerable amphibian species. Prior to joining the Park Service in 2007, Dennis worked with the URI Environmental Data Center on a wide array of natural resource related GIS, web design, and data management projects for academic and government clients. His professional experience has included volunteer positions with the National Park Service working on grassland habitat restoration, as well as piping plover monitoring with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. His expertise includes wetland ecology, habitat conservation and restoration, and the use of GIS and database technology in natural resource inventory and monitoring efforts. Dennis is currently the Data Manager for the National Park Service, Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network, Inventory and Monitoring Program.
Erika received her M.S. in Natural Resources at the University
of Rhode Island in 2006, and her B.S. in Environmental Science
and Management at the University of Rhode Island in 2000. Erika’s
graduate research focused on the effects of antibiotics on
water quality in septic system leachfields. Prior to joining
the National Park Service in 2009, Erika worked as a research
manager for the Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Microbiology
at the University of Rhode Island. Her experience includes
water quality, soils, and vegetation monitoring as well as
assisting with projects involving bird and amphibian monitoring.
Erika is currently the Biologist for the Northeast Coastal
and Barrier Network, Inventory and Monitoring Program and is
the Project Lead for implementing the Network’s salt
marsh monitoring protocols.
Biologist
Project Lead - Salt Marsh Surface
Elevation Table Monitoring
james_lynch@nps.gov
443-424-2157
Jim received his M.S. in Biology from the University of Louisiana,
Lafayette in 1989 and his B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry
from the University of Delaware in 1986. Jim's graduate research
focused on Sedimentation and Nutrient Accumulation in Mangrove
forests in the US and Mexico. Prior to joining the NPS, Jim
worked for the US Geological Survey researching elevation change
in wetland environments. He has extensive experience in all
aspects of monitoring of elevation change in wetland ecosystems,
including GPS surveying and the installation and use of the
Surface Elevation Table (SET). Jim is currently a Biologist
with the Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network and also coordinates
SET monitoring activities for the Northeast Temperate and National
Capital Region Networks.
Dana received her B.S. in 1994 from the University of Rhode Island in Natural Resources. She has an extensive background studying birds around the world. She has years of experience mist netting birds, and is well versed in a variety of sampling techniques used to inventory and census birds. She has also managed a large number of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds for various environmental education projects. Dana is the marsh bird monitoring program coordinator for Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network parks, along with a few NETN and NCRN parks.
Trisha came from the State of Washington where she studied
marine science as an undergraduate at The Evergreen State College.
She continued her education at Evergreen in the Master of Environmental
Studies program. Her thesis focused on the effects of ocean
acidification on an intertidal, photosynthetic anemone. While
completing her master’s degree, she worked for the Washington
State Department of Natural Resources studying eelgrass in
Puget Sound. She is currently in a PhD program at the University
of Rhode Island to study the environmental physiology of marine
invertebrates that inhabit oxygen minimum zones. Concurrently,
Trisha is creating a website regarding the effects of global
climate change on the coastal national parks of the north Atlantic
for the Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network, Inventory and
Monitoring Program.
Josh is an undergraduate studying Environmental Science and Management
and Biology at the University of Rhode Island. In addition to studying
full time and working as a STEP Intern for the National Park Service,
he is also working as a field assistant researching the genetic
diversity and home range of the threatened New England Cottontail
and the effects of coffee farming on mammal biodiversity in Costa
Rica. Josh is currently working on the expansion of the NRinfo
database for the NCBN and the Mid-Atlantic Network, and is expected
to graduate with a B.S. in 2012.
