My broad interests are the biology and ecology of protozoan parasites of marine fish and shellfish and their effect on host recruitment and population dynamics.
Current emphasis is on oyster and clam pathogens.
Presently, my research focuses on environmental control of the distribution and abundance of shellfish pathogens, the life cycles and transmission dynamics of shellfish pathogens and on ways to mitigate the effects of these pathogens on the shellfish industries of Chesapeake Bay. I am also interested in the taxonomy and systematics of marine leeches. Current Projects Effect of long-term climate variability on the distribution and abundance of Perkinsus marinus and Haplosporidium nelsoni . Selective breeding program to develop disease resistant oysters. Biology and pathology of QPX disease of hard clams.