People

Lisa

Dr. Lisa G. Chambers

Principal 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.

A person wearing sunglasses, a blue long-sleeve shirt, and a backpack stands in a grassy marsh, giving a thumbs-up gesture, with a car visible in the background.

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

Mirabito et al., 2026

Riza

Mumtahina Riza

Ph.D. Candidate, 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.

UCF Publications:
Riza et al., 2026

A person wearing waders and a hat kneels in muddy water, smiling while holding a mallet, surrounded by wetland grasses.Mercedes Marián Pinzón Delgado

Ph.D. Candidate, 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)

UCF Publications:
Pinzon et al., 2026

Naija

Naija Cheek

Ph.D. Student, Integrative and Conservation Biology
B.S., Biology, University of Central Florida

Research Interests: The intersection of microbiology and biogeochemistry

UCF Publications:
Chambers et al., 2026

 

 

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Erin Tilly

M.S. Student, Biology
B.S. Biology and Environmental Science, Florida State University

Research Interests: Applications of wetlands and coastal ecosystems for nutrient removal through physical and biological mechanisms.

 

 

 

Camille Mench 

M.S. Student, Biology
B.S. Biology, Minor in Chemistry, University of Central Florida

Research Interests: Non-plastic coastal restoration materials, and their biogeochemical impacts.

 

 

 

Madison Perunko

Laboratory Manager

B.S. Environmental Studies, University of Central Florida

Research Interests: How wetlands affect the surrounding environment and sequester nutrients 

 

 

Lyndon Medel

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Biology and Economics Major

Research Interests: Looking at the economic feasibility of environmental restoration and conservation, and how they fit into the economy at large

 

 

A person wearing glasses, a red long-sleeve shirt, and brown waders stands in tall grass near a marsh under a cloudy sky.

Sophia Canabal 

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Biology major, marine track

Research Interests: how nutrient pollution affects biogeochemical  processes  in wetland soil.

 

 

 

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Esha Modi

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Biology major

Research Interests: water conservation and health, soil carbon sequestration, soil health

 

 

 

 

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William Latson

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Biology major, ecology and conservation track major

Research Interests: nutrient cycling, estuaries and coastal wetlands, and Everglades restoration initiatives.

 

 

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Tyler Bartczak

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Biomedical Sciences major

Research Interests: Neuroscience research, psychological studies, pharmaceutical research, any and all environmental research, especially research that works towards preserving Florida’s wildlife and ecosystems

 

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Si Zhang

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Environmental Science major, GIS certificate

Research Interests: Anthropogenic influences on nutrient cycling.

 

 

 

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Maya Kurian

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Marine Biology major

Research Interests: marine genetics work

 

 

 

 

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Qwynn Starrwalker

Undergraduate Research Assistant
HUT Researcher
Environmental Studies major

Research Interests: conservation and aquatic ecology, and nutrient pollution.

 

 

 

 Lab Alumni

A person in a white long-sleeve shirt takes a selfie near a pile of nets or ropes by the water, with a boat and trees in the background.Cadie Barnes

M.S., Biology, University of Central Florida (2026)
B.S. Marine Science, University of South Alabama

M.S. Thesis: Understanding the Potential Biogeochemical Effects of Alternative Restoration Materials: A Study of Basalt and Other Materials

Research Interests: Application of ecology and biogeochemistry to increase resilience of wetlands/coastal ecosystems to sea level rise, coastal erosion, effects of climate change and ecosystem restoration.

UCF Publications:
Chambers et al., 2026

JennyJennifer 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

Meghan

Megan Jensik

Undergraduate Research Assistant
B.S. Biology (2025)

Honors Undergraduate Thesis: Zinc or Swim: Investigating Zinc Pollution from Restoration Materials

 

 

 

Katie

Katherine Johnsen

Undergraduate Research Assistant
B.S. Biology (2025)

Honors Undergraduate Thesis: The Effectiveness of Constructed Treatment Wetland Systems at Removing Microplastic Pollution

UCF Publications:
Johnsen et al., 2026

 

Nicole

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

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

Thesis:Coastal Riverine Wetland Biogeochemistry in the Anthropocene: Relationships with Vegetation Transition and Saltwater Intrusion

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

Thesis:Organic Matter Reduction via Periodic Water-Level Drawdown in a Constructed Treatment Wetland Cell of the Orlando Easterly Wetlands

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

Dr. HavalHavalendend E. Steinmuller

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