Lab Members

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Dr. Leila J. Hamdan
Associate Vice President Research, Coastal Operations
Professor, School of Ocean Science and Engineering
University of Southern Mississippi
228-818-8011
leila.hamdan@usm.edu

Dr. Hamdan is a molecular microbial ecologist and her studies focus on geomicrobiology and the impact of changing environmental conditions on the structure and function of marine and estuarine communities. Her current studies center on microbial biogeography on continental margins and the impacts of hydrocarbons and chemical dispersants on communities found on artificial reefs (shipwrecks) in the deep biosphere of the Gulf of Mexico. Her work also addresses the microbiology of marine methane seeps and the role of microorganisms in the development of anoxia in the Chesapeake Bay. Prior to joining the University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. Hamdan was an Assistant Professor in the Environmental Science and Policy Department at George Mason University, a Research Microbiologist in the Marine Biogeochemistry Section at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC, and a National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate.

Staff

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Rachel Moseley
Laboratory Manager
Research Associate, School of Ocean Science and Engineering
Division of Coastal Sciences
University of Southern Mississippi
228-818-8030
rachel.moseley@usm.edu

Rachel completed her MS in Coastal Sciences from USM. Rachel’s research interests focus on microbial biogeography in deep-sea habitats, and the manner in which microbes are dispersed in ocean currents. Rachel also has a background in marine aquaculture and bivalve studies.

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Kara E. Davis
Research Associate, School of Ocean Science and Engineering
Division of Coastal Sciences
University of Southern Mississippi
228-818-8030
kara.e.davis@usm.edu

Kara’s research interests include biogeography of shipwreck-associated microbiomes and patterning of anthropogenic and natural conditions shaping microbial diversity, distribution, and function. Before joining The University of Southern Mississippi, Kara served as a marine archaeologist and program manager for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). In this role, she led multi-scalar expeditions, successfully discovering, recovering, and identifying missing U.S. service members from past military conflicts. With a decade of professional experience, Kara has contributed to over 30 expeditions across the United States, the Atlantic, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. Currently pursuing a Ph.D., Kara aims to explore niche shipwreck microbial assemblages for correlative markers between community structure and biodegradation.

Students

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Isabelle Townsend
MS Candidate
Graduate Research Assistant, School of Ocean Science and Engineering
Division of Coastal Sciences
University of Southern Mississippi
isabelle.townsend@usm.edu

Isabelle’s research interests focus on identifying the microbial community, structure, and function in a recirculating artificial seawater Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea Virginica, hatchery production system.

Former Lab Members

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Dr. Rachel L. Mugge (Graduated 2022)
NRC Postdoctoral Fellow at Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center
rachel.mugge.ctr@nrlssc.navy.mil

Dr. Jennifer L. Salerno
Assistant Professor, George Mason University, Environmental Science and Policy Department
AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow

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