Nick is an Assistant Professor and oversees the research group. His research interests center on the biogeochemistry and ecology of aquatic ecosystems and how these ecosystems respond to change. Nick earned his Ph.D. in Biology at Boston University and B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Environmental Science and Technology at the University of Maryland. Prior to joining the School of Marine Science & Policy at the University of Delaware, he was a postdoc at Cornell University and Stockholm University.

Sophie is a first year M.S student in the lab. She recently graduated with a B.A. in Marine Science with a minor in Chemistry from Boston University. During her undergraduate studies, she completed a series of investigations comparing oyster morphometrics to nutrient cycling, specifically nitrogen. Sophie plans to continue researching drivers of oyster mediated biogeochemistry with the Ray lab. She is also pursuing a professional dance career!

Jillian joins the lab from Saint Mary’s College of Maryland as a Summer 2026 REU student. She is working with Sophia on a project investigating how oyster-associated nitrogen cycling might change with diet.