Towson University

Aquatic ecosystems are changing at unprecedented rates, including but not limited to, changes in temperature and oxygen levels, pollution, and freshwater salinization. These changes can happen simultaneously or in isolation, spanning from short timescales (hours or days) to long timescales (weeks, months, or years). Consequently, more and more aquatic species are being pushed closer to their physiological limits. In pursuit to thrive, they must either move or change through phenotypic plasticity (reversibly alter their morphology and physiology). To determine the vulnerability of diverse aquatic species and effectively protect and manage them in their natural habitats, we must understand the nuances of environmental change—the conditions that wild animals encounter—and investigate their physiological responses to ecologically relevant dynamic conditions. Our work uses various approaches to characterize the mechanisms underlying the vulnerability or resilience of aquatic animals, primarily fish, through laboratory and field studies, as well as meta-analyses. Among other performances, we evaluate metabolic capacity, cardiac thermal tolerance, swimming performance, and thermal limits, with the ultimate goal of providing mechanistic insights that can support conservation and management of fish and other ectotherms throughout their lifetimes and across generations.

More details about the Spring 2025 CUERE Seminar Series are available at: