Jacob Oster

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Marine Biology, Texas A&M - Corpus Christi (expected Spring 2025)

M.S. Environmental Science, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, 2018

B.S. Biology, Juniata College, 2014

EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Instructor of Biology and Philosophy at John Paul II Junior College, Belize, 2018-2020

Natural Resources Technician, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 2015

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My current research will focus on how hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico and its coastal bays may influence local fisheries. Hypoxia may have a compounding effect as a stressor when combined with elevated water temperature and mercury levels. As a result, hypoxia may affect different species to varying degrees depending on their habitat usage and trophic level. My research will utilize otolith chemistry, stable isotope analysis, and mercury concentrations in fish eye lenses to investigate the consequences of hypoxia exposure for Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), and southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma).

I am broadly interested in marine and estuarine ecology, mercury accumulation and biomagnification, and anthropogenic impacts on marine and estuarine ecosystems.