Our Team
Meet The Team
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Meara Tolentino
PhD Student
Meara Tolentino
PhD Student
Meara’s research focuses on understanding carbon dynamics across ecosystems, with an emphasis on the terrestrial–aquatic interface. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master’s in Environmental Science from the University of the Philippines. As an undergraduate, she conducted research on light structures and classical entanglement in a photonics lab. Applying her quantitative background to environmental challenges, she transitioned into environmental science, where her master’s work used satellite remote sensing to examine how ocean frontal features influence fishing activity in Philippine waters. She later contributed to marine field research, including hydroacoustic surveys to estimate single fish species biomass. At UVA, Meara is a PhD student in the lab currently studying organic carbon across the terrestrial–coastal continuum, using remote sensing and modeling to explore coastal wetland processes. Outside of research, she enjoys strength training, cooking & baking, badminton, and hiking.
Jack Boyle
MS Student
Jack Boyle
MS Student
Jack is a MS student in the lab. He holds a bachelors degree in Environmental Science from the University of Notre Dame, where he studied limnology (the study of lakes) and conducted studies at a field station in Northern Wisconsin. Additionally, he spent time studying the effects of PFAS biomagnification within Lake Michigan prey fish. At UVA he studies the effects of nitrogen retention in wetlands, rivers and lakes. Outside the lab, Jack enjoys running, playing Mario Cart, and traveling to Montana to exploring the backcountry.
Michelle Nguyen
Research Assistant
Michelle Nguyen
Research Assistant
Under Construction!
Katie Glazier
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Katie Glazier
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Under construction!
Lab Alumni!
- Owen Shaffer (Spring 2025). Distinguished Major Program Thesis. The outsized role of vulnerable wetlands in nitrogen cycling across the US in the context of changing Clean Water Act protections.
