People
Carolyn Miller, Research Associate III
Education
Post-doctoral Scholar, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2013 - 2016.
Ph.D., Boston University, Biology, 2006.
B.S., Wellesley College, Biological Sciences with Africana Studies, 1994.
Research
Carolyn helps manage the lab's marine mammal microbiome research program, which focuses on skin, gut and blow-associated microbiomes of diverse marine mammal species. She is also darn good at catching and co-piloting drones at sea.
Sharon Grim, Research Associate III
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, NASA Ames Research Center, 2020-2022.
Ph.D., University of Michigan, Earth and Environmental Science, 2019.
M.S., University of Delaware, Marine Studies, 2011.
B.A., Bryn Mawr College, Mathematics, 2007.
Research
Sharon uses computational tools to understand the genes and biogeochemistry of microbial communities. She works with several research groups to explore intriguing aquatic environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents, meromictic ponds, and shallow coral reefs. Sharon’s other interests include running, reading, and exploring the many trails and parks on Cape Cod with her family.
Adewale (Wale) Aromolaran, Research Associate III
Education
Postdoctoral Researcher, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2022–2025
Ph.D., Environmental Engineering, University of Ottawa, 2021
M.Sc (Eng), Environmental Engineering & Project Management, University of Leeds, 2013
B.Tech., Industrial Chemistry, Federal University of Technology Akure, 2009
Research
Wale is interested in bioprocess development that explores new ways of transforming bioresources into next-generation energy sources. He enjoys playing soccer and tennis. Wale is a lifelong lover of the ocean and loves to spend time by the water.
Erin Lyons, Research Associate II
Education
M.P.S. University of Miami, Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management
B.S. University of Virginia, Ecology and Environmental Science
Research
Erin is helping to project manage a variety of research projects in the lab including working with the whale microbiome and microbial ecology of coral reefs. Her background and interests lie in coral reef ecology but also include seafloor mapping and sea turtle ecology. Outside of the lab, Erin enjoys competitive road running, playing ice hockey, being outside, baking, and hanging out with her three-legged dogs.
Jeanne Bloomberg, MIT-WHOI Joint Program Ph.D. student
Education
M.S. Louisiana State University, 2020
B.S. Northeastern University, 2016
Research
Jeanne is investigating the microbial and disease ecologies of stony corals and the role of reef site in fostering the coral microbiome. Besides doing coral research, Jeanne likes to spend time hiking, baking, and playing with her dog.
Mallory Kastner, MIT-WHOI Joint Program Ph.D. student
Education
B.S. Haverford College, Biology and Environmental Studies, 2021.
Research
Mallory is interested in biological-chemical interactions in coral reef ecosystems. Outside of the lab, Mallory loves to run, play tennis, and experiment in the kitchen.
Trevor Milliken, Research Assistant II
Education
B.S. Roger Williams University, Marine Biology, 2021
B.A. Roger Williams University, Environmental Chemistry, 2021
Research
Trevor is investigating probiotic treatments to combat reef degradation and interested in microbial communities that impact coral reefs. In his free time, Trevor enjoys fishing, boating and sailing, skiing, and exploring Cape Cod.
Margaret Lowell, Laboratory Assistant II
Margaret is pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry at Carleton College. She conducts research on whale microbiology and chemistry during her summers with the lab.
Former members
Cynthia Becker, Undergraduate (SFF, SAW Student, Guest Student), MIT-WHOI Graduate Student, 2016 - 2023. Now a post-doc at University of Florida
Lei Ma, MIT-WHOI Graduate Student, 2019 - 2022. Now a Bioinformatics Scientist at Harvard
Anya Brown, Post-doc Scholar, 2020-2022. Now an Assistant Professor at UC-Davis/ Bodega Marine Lab
Laura (Weber) Gray, Guest Student, MIT-WHOI Graduate Student, Post-doc Investigator, 2013-2021. Now a member of NSF C-CoMP
Naomi Huntley, Guest Student, 2019-2021. Now a PhD student at Penn State
Kinga Santha, WHOI Summer Student Fellow, 2020. Now a graduate student at Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
Solange Martin, Guest Student, 2018. Now in veterinary graduate school
Shavonna Bent, WHOI Summer Student Fellow and Guest Student, 2017-2018. Now a MIT-WHOI graduate student
Rita Rachmawati, Guest Student (pursuing Ph.D. at UCLA), 2014 - 2018. Now a scientist in Indonesia
KC Bierlich, Guest Student (pursuing M.S. at Duke), 2015 - 2017. Now a PhD student at Duke University
Cynthia Becker, a Semester at WHOI undergraduate student from Ithaca College. Fall 2016. Back in the lab!
Liping Xun, Research Assistant, 2014-2016.
Abby Keller, Guest Undergraduate Student, 2016. Now a PhD student
Matthew Neave, KAUST-WHOI post-doctoral investigator, 2012-2015. Now a Research Scientist at CSIRO, Australia.
Luci Kelemen, High School Student, 2015
Evan Denmark, MIT UROP/WHOI Guest Undergraduate Student, 2014-2015
Catarina Brighi, WHOI Summer Student Undergraduate Fellow 2014
Lauren Goodwin, WHOI Summer Guest Undergraduate Student, 2013