Our TEam
Dr. Marcus Drymon
Associate Extension Professor at Mississippi State University and Marine Fisheries Specialist with Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant
Originally from central Kentucky, my family and I have lived on the Gulf Coast for 20 years and are pleased to call this region our home. As Extension faculty, my job is to make applicable, science-based solutions usable to coastal marine anglers, both commercial and recreational. Most of my work has focused on the role that sharks play in maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems, and understanding the factors that determine their distribution and movement patterns.
Amanda Jargowsky
Extension Associate at Mississippi State University and Marine Fisheries Specialist with Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant
I was born and raised in central Maryland, and earned a BS in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and an MS in Marine Sciences from the University of South Alabama. My research experience centers around the life history of inshore and offshore fishes, including crevalle jack, red drum, tripletail, gray triggerfish, and red snapper. I’ve also gained extensive familiarity with communicating science to stakeholders and the public via peer-reviewed and Extension publications, presentations, and outreach events. Currently, I serve as the program manager for the Marine Fisheries Ecology Program, and oversee several funded research and Extension projects focused on reef fish and the impacts of sharks on fishes and fishermen.
Abby McGregor
Extension Associate at Mississippi State University and Marine Fisheries Specialist with Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant
Originally from central Kentucky, I became passionate about the aquatic world from spending many weekends at Lake Cumberland. Although I value freshwater ecosystems, I have always felt most drawn to marine environments. I earned a BS in Biology from Eastern Kentucky University and an MS in Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture from MSU. My thesis work involved growth, metabolism, and energy usage of cultured catfish at cool temperatures. In 2023, I had the privilege of joining the Marine Fisheries Ecology Program where I currently serve as the project manager for the Bluefin Tuna Restoration Project. This project involves many different aspects, but the most rewarding is interacting with stakeholders in the pelagic longline fishery.
Lindsay Mullins
PhD candidate with the Wildlife, Fisheries, & Aquaculture department at Mississippi State University and Research Assistant at the Northern Gulf Institute
I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, but spent my summers visiting my mom’s family in Virginia Beach. Growing up, I was fascinated by the beauty and seemingly infinite complexity of the water, and knew my future path would be in marine science. Having worked with Dr. Drymon as a master’s student, I knew that my research interests aligned with the mission of the Marine Fisheries Ecology Program. As I pursue my Ph.D., I am excited to partner with the Northern Gulf Institute and the Marine Fisheries Ecology Program to investigate the ecology of juvenile bull sharks on the Alabama coast and create geospatial resources to share that story with you.
Alena Anderson
Master’s student with the Wildlife, Fisheries, & Aquaculture department at Mississippi State University and Extension Associate at Mississippi State University
Although I’m originally from the mountains of East Tennessee, I’ve wanted to work in marine science since elementary school. I earned a BS in Marine Biology from the University of California, San Diego, where my love of fish, and especially sharks, grew. In 2021, I had the privilege of joining the Marine Fisheries Ecology Program. Here, I help facilitate funded research and Extension projects and assist with fieldwork, including our bottom longline survey in the northern Gulf of Mexico. I am also working on my MS in Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, for which I’m studying the age, growth, and maturity of blacknose sharks in the northern Gulf. I enjoy working directly with fisheries stakeholders and finding exciting ways to communicate our research to the public.
Danielle McAree
Master’s student with the Wildlife, Fisheries, & Aquaculture department at Mississippi State University and Extension Program Associate at Mississippi State University
Originally from Massachusetts, I developed my lifelong fascination with nature growing up exploring the outdoors. Though I hold a deep appreciation for all things wild, I have always been drawn to the water and the creatures that live there. I earned a BS in Zoology from the University of Vermont, and am currently working on my MS in Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University. As part of the Marine Fisheries Ecology Program, I coordinate our bottom longline survey, develop Extension publications and outreach materials, and facilitate various research and Extension projects. I enjoy working alongside fisheries stakeholders, communicating our research to the public, and seeking solutions that better the health of our marine ecosystems as well as our current and future enjoyment of all they have to offer.
Conrad Pfalzgraf
Master’s student with the Wildlife, Fisheries, & Aquaculture department at Mississippi State University and Extension Program Assistant at Mississippi State University
Growing up in Washington State, I developed a deep appreciation for the natural world, from the mountains to the coast. The art of noticing was instilled in me at a young age, fostering a childhood curiosity that still drives me today. This curiosity led me to explore various conservation and fisheries roles across three states and two countries over the past four years after earning my B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Redlands. Currently, I’m pursuing my M.S. at Mississippi State University, focusing on acoustic telemetry and movement ecology of Sheepshead. As part of the Marine Fisheries Ecology Program, I assist with fieldwork, fishing relations, and contribute to research that raises awareness about fisheries, highlighting the importance of often-overlooked species in marine ecosystems. I am committed to effectively communicating our findings to the public and bridging the gap between academia and wider audiences.
Carly Standbridge
Master’s student with the Wildlife, Fisheries, & Aquaculture department at Mississippi State University and Extension Program Assistant at Mississippi State University
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where a single aquarium sparked my fascination with aquatic environments. This passion led me to earn dual BS degrees in Marine Fisheries and Marine Biology from Texas A&M University, where I completed a thesis on spotted seatrout movement ecology. I’m currently pursuing an MS in Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University. My graduate research centers on the development and testing of catch cards to enhance data accuracy in recreational discard reporting as part of a Gulf-wide fisheries study. As an Extension Program Assistant with the Marine Fisheries Ecology Program, I support fieldwork and contribute to research and Extension projects. I enjoy connecting the public to marine environments and working with fisheries stakeholders to enhance our coastal resources for future generations.
Alumni
Ana Wheeler
Extension Associate at Mississippi State University and Marine Fisheries Specialist with Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant
Originally from Wisconsin, I always held a profound fascination for the water and the marine environment. I earned two BS degrees in Marine Science and Biology and a minor in Chemistry from East Stroudsburg University. I completed my MS in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Science at Auburn University, where my research focused on red snapper abundance on oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. I served as the field manager for the Marine Fisheries Ecology Program, where I coordinated and implemented our bottom longline survey and managed the associated data collection and analysis. I also contributed to peer-reviewed Extension publications, and assisted with Extension and outreach efforts focused on communicating science to stakeholders and the public.
Matthew Jargowsky
Extension Associate at Mississippi State University and Marine Fisheries Specialist with Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant
Originally from New Jersey, I moved to the Gulf coast in 2015 for a technician position at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Through this opportunity, I gained experience with a variety of different fisheries sampling techniques. In 2018, I left Dauphin Island and began working on my master’s degree here at Mississippi State University under the direction of Dr. Drymon. For my master’s research, I explored the spatial and trophic ecology of the rays inhabiting Mobile Bay, Alabama. My primary responsibilities for the Marine Fisheries Ecology Program included conducting bottom longline surveys, tagging tarpon for our tarpon tracking project, examining diet contents of various coastal fish species, and assisting with the aging of various fish species.
Emily Seubert
Extension Program Associate at Mississippi State University
My primary responsibilities included running our bottom longline surveys in Alabama and Mississippi waters, and managing the data collection and analysis from these surveys. I also participated in outreach and education opportunities connecting with local communities. I enjoyed seeing the direct impact that our research has on folks here on the Gulf Coast. Protecting and preserving our environment is a strong passion of mine, and I believe that the work of the MFE lab can help our local fisheries, so that we can all continue to enjoy the natural beauty around us for many more generations to come.
Bryan Huerta-Beltran
Extension Program Assistant at Mississippi State University
After completing my undergraduate degree, I had the privilege to join the MSU Marine Fisheries Ecology team. My primary responsibilities included assisting with bottom longline surveys and other fieldwork activities that take place in the northern Gulf of Mexico, but I also helped with specimen workups, data collection, outreach events, and the creation of scientific illustrations to promote the richness of elasmobranch biodiversity along the Gulf Coast. Joining the MSU Marine Fisheries Ecology Program was an important step in my journey to becoming an elasmobranch scientist, and I’m looking forward to attending to a graduate program to further pursue my career goals.
Kirsten Bauer
Extension Program Assistant at Mississippi State University
Originally from Virginia, I developed my fascination with the natural world at a young age backpacking and splashing in the creeks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I obtained my BS in Integrated Environmental Sciences and have a background working in fisheries management and marine ecology research. As an Extension Program Assistant, I helped conduct our bottom longline survey in the northern Gulf of Mexico. When not in the field, I assisted with various Extension and outreach efforts, including class excursions and the creation of Extension publications. I find it incredibly rewarding to work alongside anglers and the public to tackle fisheries concerns through science-based approaches, and I love sharing my passion for environmental stewardship and sustainable fisheries with the community.
