Dr. Lisa G. Chambers
Principle Investigator, Professor
Ph.D., Soil and Water Science, University of Florida
M.S., Oceanography and Coastal Science, Louisiana State University
B.S., Natural Resources, Ohio State University
Research interests: Biogeochemical cycling of elements (mainly N, P, and C) in wetlands, riparian areas, and coastal ecosystems; understanding the link between soil microbial ecology and ecosystem function; accessing the impacts of disturbance (sea level rise, urbanization, eutrophication, restoration) on biogeochemical ecosystem functions and services.
Dr. Anthony Mirabito
Post Doctoral Scholar
Ph.D., Integrative and Conservation Biology, University of Central Florida
B.S., Biology and Environmental Science, Iowa State University
Dissertation: Investigating the physical, molecular and biogeochemical properties of soil organic matter in coastal wetlands
UCF Publications:
Mirabito and Chambers, 2023
Mirabito et al., 2025
Mumtahina Riza
Ph.D. Student, Integrative and Conservation Biology
M.S., Biology, North Carolina State University
M.S., Environmental Science and Management, Bangladesh University of Professionals
B.S.,Textile Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6286-3483
Dissertation Topic:Investigation of the mineral-associated organic matter in the cultivated Histosols of the Everglades Agricultural Area to optimize carbon stabilization for regulating climate-influencing carbon emissions and sustainable agriculture.
Mercedes Marián Pinzón Delgado
Ph.D. Student, Integrative and Conservation Biology
M.S. Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University
B.S., Coastal Environmental Science, Louisiana State University
Dissertation Topic: Examining how mangrove encroachment, nutrient enrichment, and hydrogeomorphic setting shape soil organic matter stability, carbon–nitrogen cycling, and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) formation in coastal wetlands. This work spans three integrated studies: (1) field experiments testing the interactive effects of mangrove encroachment and nitrogen enrichment on MAOM and particulate organic matter (POM) stabilization, (2) short-term ^15N tracer experiments to track nitrogen incorporation into MAOM and POM pools, and (3) laboratory incubations assessing the role of POM and MAOM fractions in nitrogen mineralization. Research is conducted in the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve as (Part of the WETFEET project)
Naija Cheek
Ph.D. Student, Integrative and Conservation Biology
B.S., Biology, University of Central Florida
Research Interests: The intersection of microbiology and biogeochemistry
Cadie Barnes
M.S. Student, Biology
B.S. Marine Science, University of South Alabama
Erin Tilly
M.S. Student, Biology
B.S. Biology and Environmental Science, Florida State University
Nathan Swinburne
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Environmental Studies major, science track
Personnel website: https://snakehanded.wordpress.com/
Research Interests: wetland water/soil quality and conservation ecology, amphibian/reptile population monitoring, wildlife microplastic ingestion.
Keri Pollock
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Environmental Science, science track major
Research Interests: how the changing environment impacts wetland soils
Avalon Ramsey
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Biology major
Research Interests: Soil nutrients and microplastics abundance in stormwater basins
Esha Modi
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Biology major
Research Interests: water conservation and health, soil carbon sequestration, soil health
Camille Mench
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Biology Major, Minor in Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences
Research Interests: The different environmental aspects capable of combating greenhouse gas emissions. How the environment will continue to adapt and change as climate change progresses.
Lab Alumni
Jennifer Volk
M.S., Biology, University of Central Florida (2025)
B.S., Biology, University of Central Florida
Thesis: Investigating soil properties and nitrogen dynamics associated with coastal wetland stability in the Tolomato River estuary (Part of the Roots & Rakes project).
UCF Publications:
Volk et al., 2025
Megan Jensik
Undergraduate Research Assistant
B.S. Biology (2025)
Honors Undergraduate Thesis: Zinc or Swim: Investigating Zinc Pollution from Restoration Materials
Nicole Boisson
Undergraduate Research Assistant
B.S., Environmental Science and Political Science (2025)
Honors Undergraduate Thesis: Does Mangrove Encroachment on Oyster Reefs in the Indian River Lagoon Enhance Blue Carbon Storage?
Chelsea Nitsch
M.S., Biology, University of Central Florida (2024)
B.S., Biology, University of Central Florida
Thesis:Leveraging Natural Soil Properties to Enhance Nitrogen Removal and Carbon Preservation
UCF Publications:
Nitsch et al., 2021
Now Senior Environmental Planner for Kitsap County, WA
Nathaniel Spicer
ABL Lab Manager (2022)
B.S., Earth and Environmental Systems/Conservation Biology, University of Toronto
Research Interests: Identifying the optimal conditions to promote mineral-associated organic matter formation in wetland soils
Now a PhD Student at the University of Maryland
Sarah Harttung
M.S., Biology, University of Central Florida (2021)
B.S., Michigan Technological University
UCF Publications:
Harttung et al., 2021
Now a Natural Resource Officer for Seminole County Parks, FL
Paul Boudreau
M.S., Biology, University of Central Florida (2021)
B.S., Biology, University of Central Florida
UCF Publications:
Boudreau et al., 2024
David Yannick
Lab Manager & Research Assistant (2020-2021)
B.S., Environmental Studies, Statistics minor, University of Central Florida (2021)
Honors Undergraduate Thesis:Sulfate and Soil Organic Matter: A Toxic Relationship in Freshwater Wetlands?
Now a Ph.D. student at University of Alabama
Ph.D., Conservation Biology, University of Central Florida (2019)
M.S., Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University
B.S., Coastal Environmental Science, Louisiana State University
Dissertation: Biogeochemical Effects of Sea Level Rise-induced Transitions Within Coastal Wetlands
UCF Publications:
Steinmuller et al., 2020a
Steinmuller et. al., 2020b
Steinmuller et. al., 2019b
Steimuller and Chambers, 2019
Steinmuller et. al., 2019a
Steinmuller and Chambers, 2018
Now an Assistant Professor and Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
Nia Hurst
ABL Lab Manager and Research Assistant (2017-2019)
UCF Publications:
Hurst et al., 2022
Now a Research Biologist at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands and Coastal Ecology Branch of the Engineer Research and Development Center
Dr. Joshua Breithaupt
ABL Postdoctoral Scholar (2017-2019)
UCF Publications:
Breithaupt et al., 2020
Breithaupt et al., 2019a
Breithaupt et al., 2019b
Now a Research Faculty at Florida State Coastal & Marine Laboratory
Bryan Locher
M.S. Biology, University of Central Florida (2019)
UCF Publications:
Locher et al., 2020
Thesis: Understanding Sediment Biogeochemistry and the Role of Juvenile Oysters on Recently Restored Eastern Oyster Reefs
Now a contractor at Environmental Quality, Inc.
Janet Ho
M.S., Biology, University of Central Florida (2018)
UCF Publications:
Thesis: Characterizing Biogeochemical Shifts in Two Salix Caroliniana Michx. Encroached Freshwater Subtropical Marshes
Ho and Chambers, 2020
Ho and Chambers, 2018
Ho et al., 2018
Jennifer Bennett
B.S., Environmental Studies, University of Central Florida (2019)
Independent research project: Identifying relationships between soil carbon storage and vegetation community in an urbanized landscape.
OUR Student Research Grant recipient
Media coverage:
UCF Biologist Hunt for Hidden Carbon
Carbon in the Soil
UCF Publications:
Bennett and Chambers, 2023
Kyle Dittmer
B.S., Environmental Science, University of Central Florida (2017)
UCF Publications:
Dittmer et. al., 2018
Now a MS student at University of Vermont