Faculty Advisor, Dr. Dominique Didier
Faculty Advisor, Dr. Dominique Didier

Hello, I am Dr. Dominique Didier. I am a professor of biology, aquatic biology, and ichthyology at Millersville University. My research is focused on studying the largest and most diverse group of vertebrates on the planet – fish! In particular, I am studying the morphology, development, and phylogeny of a little known group of shark relatives known as the chimaeras or ratfishes. These are marine fishes found in all the world's oceans at depths ranging from about 100 m to over 2,000 m. My current work is focused on describing the many new species that have recently been discovered. I also work closely with global fisheries and conservation organizations in the development of fishery guides for identification as well as guidelines for sustainable management of shark fisheries. Comparative morphological work in my laboratory is focused on understanding morphological characters in an evolutionary context. I am also interested in comparative embryology of Chondrichthyes (sharks and their relatives). There's a lot of fish out there just waiting to be studied, and I am looking forward to working with students on various aspects of ichthyological research.

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Faculty Advisor- Dr. Ajoy Kumar
Faculty Advisor- Dr. Ajoy Kumar

Dr. Ajoy Kumar is a Physical Oceanographer with interests in Observational Oceanography, Remote sensing and Global Climate Change. Before coming to Millersville he was a scientist at Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Miami, Miami, Fl. He has conducted a number of studies at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station to help understand the water mass characteristic of the region. He has published his works in peer reviewed journals and contributed extensively to undergraduate research at Millersville University.

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Zoe Zenter, Millersville University
Zoe Zenter, Millersville University

Hello, My name is Zoe Zentner. I am a junior at Millersville University with a major in biology and a concentration in marine biology. My hometown is Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, a small town outside of Pittsburgh. My passion for science and the ocean started at a very young age. While most little girls grew up playing with dolls, I played with chemistry sets and collected bugs. Since then, I have refined my interests to ichthyology, fisheries, and the behavioral evolution of fish. I plan to get a career in fisheries biology or to do ichthyology related research. This research is an important step in achieving my career goals by teaching me the necessary skills to conduct research and about the shark species in the northern Atlantic Ocean. My favorite shark species is the wobbegong because of its ability to ambush prey using camouflage. When I am not studying, some of my favorite activities to do are kayaking, hiking, and playing tennis.

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Luke McConville, Millersville University
Luke McConville, Millersville University

Hi everyone! My name is Luke McConville and I’m currently a junior at Millersville University with a major in biology and a concentration in marine biology, as well a minor in oceanography. My hometown is Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. I’m currently interested in studying physical characteristics of sea life and the impacts humans have both on ocean wildlife and their habitats. I plan to use this research opportunity to learn about what sharks are coming into the Chincoteague Bay area as well as the abundance of those sharks. I also plan to see the environmental characteristics associated with specific sharks species we catch though the use of a CTD. In the future, I would love to be able to dive with different species of sharks in order to study their behavior. I may even be willing to partake in some night dives to see changes in their behavior at night. My favorite shark is the zebra shark because of their interesting pattern that allows them to blend in with the coral reef environment. I really hope you can donate and help us understand these beautiful sharks even more.

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Ben Cox, Edinboro University
Ben Cox, Edinboro University

Hello, my name is Ben Cox. I am a senior at Edinboro University studying biology with a minor in Oceanography. I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When I graduate I plan to find a job in shark conservation. My whole life I have been fascinated with sharks. My favorite shark being the goblin shark. I want to use this passion to help save the sharks so that other people can also enjoy these amazing creatures. And since I have this passion, I have used every opportunity to learn more about the sharks. I have never missed a shark week. I have watched every show or documentary on sharks that I find. And every chance I get to take a class on ichthyology, I do so. And I am hoping that with your help I can work with sharks to learn even more about them.

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Matt Hamilton, Millersville University
Matt Hamilton, Millersville University

Hello, My name is Matthew Hamilton. I am a Junior at Millersville University majoring in Biology with a concentration in marine biology. I am from Oxford, Pennsylvania. I am interested in Ichthyology and hope to find a job in the conservation of sharks, skates and rays. I have been fishing most of my life and have been boating, crabbing, and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay specifically for the past 12 years. I have had a lot of experience handling many different kinds of fish, sharks, skates, and rays, either from fishing on boats or pier fishing. I like all types of sharks, but seeing a show about the Greenland shark, and reading about the Goblin shark began my interest in studying sharks. I hope that this project will allow me to do more work with sharks in the future.

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Ryan McGonagle, East Stroudsburg University
Ryan McGonagle, East Stroudsburg University

Hey! I’m Ryan McGonagle and I’m a Junior at East Stroudsburg University, double majoring in Marine Science and Integrated Organismal Biology. I am from Philadelphia, PA and have worked at the Philadelphia Zoo assisting with animal care and husbandry in the Children’s Zoo along with training projects with several animals. With my degrees, I intend on pursuing a career in conservation, education, and animal care on land and in the ocean. I’m particularly interested in studying marine mammals as a dolphin encounter in Cozumel, Mexico set my mind on becoming a marine biologist at a young age. My favorite shark is the Bull shark because I think it’s so cool that they can live in both freshwater and saltwater!

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