UMCES Appalachian Laboratory


LAB NOTES


Vol 6, Issue 3/December 2025




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AL is now on Facebook!


Did you know the UMCES Appalachian Laboratory (AL) is now on Facebook? Follow us @Appalachian Laboratory for the latest news and updates from AL.


You can also find us on X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube. Use the linked logos on the left to find and follow us.

Principal Investigators for TALIN-funded projects in 2024 and 2025 (from top, left): Dr. Matt Fitzpatrick, Dr. Emily Cohen, Dr. Zach Zbinden, and Dr. Miriam Johnston

Philanthropic Coalition Renews Major Investment in Appalachian Laboratory Science for Second Year


In 2024, a group of donors committed to advancing environmental conservation in the central Appalachians created a transformational solution: the Appalachian Laboratory Investor Network, or TALIN. Now, in year 2, TALIN has funded two new research projects at the UMCES Appalachian Laboratory focused on forest conservation and management.



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Summer 2025 Appalachian Laboratory Interns (From front row, left) Jason Haley, Ty Kashporenko, Maria Hite, Sarah Heckman, and Nathaniel Poulin

UMCES Appalachian Laboratory Hosts Annual Undergraduate Internship Program


Each summer, the Appalachian Laboratory Summer Undergraduate Internship Program hosts five to eight students from local universities and colleges for full-time, paid experiences in research and science communication. Since 2021, twenty-five students from Frostburg State University, Allegany College of Maryland, and Garrett College have completed the program.


The summer 2026 application is now open.


Learn More

Maria Hite, UMCES Appalachian Laboratory Science Communication Intern, filming in the field, summer 2025.

New Video Series on Appalachian Laboratory Research


Want to learn more about what our researchers do in the lab and in the field? Be sure to check out our new six-part video series on active research projects at the UMCES Appalachian Laboratory (AL). Filmed by Frostburg State University student Maria Hite as part of her summer 2025 internship at the UMCES Appalachian Laboratory, the six-part series Communicating AL Science explores the scientific research taking place at AL and features the faculty, research staff, and students who drive that work forward.


All six videos in the series are linked below and will also be posted on our new Facebook page @AppalachianLaboratory.

Communicating AL Science 6-Part Video Series

Nicole Inrahim sitting on stool in lab with workbench and equipment behind her.

Bird Migration with Ph.D. student Nicole Ibrahim

World map woth UMCES logo and app web address overlaid: fitzlab.shinyapps.io/cityapp

Future Urban Climates project with Dr. Matt Fitzpatrick

Sarah Bomar under tree cover in orange vest.

Fire Ecology with Ph.D. student Sarah Bomar

Jason Haley standing in front of large blue silos

Virtual Reality Science Communication with 2025 undergraduate intern Jason Haley

Zach Zbinden in green chest waders sitting at wooden picnic table.

Maryland Brook Trout Genomic Survey with Dr. Zach Zbinden

Water Chemistry and Shrimp Aquaculture with Aquatic Circle and the UMCES Appalachian Laboratory Water Chemistry team

Now more than ever science at the

UMCES Appalachian Laboratory needs your help!

A note from the Lab Director:


A healthy environment is essential to a healthy economy and society. The world-class research and education happening here at the Lab is helping to shape policies and decisions on local-to-global scales about things that matter most: clean air and water, healthy forests and wildlife, and sustainably produced food. Working alongside our scientists, faculty, and staff who care deeply about their work and are not just doing science but also growing it, gives me energy and optimism for the future. I hope you feel that way too. Our work is more important now than ever, but we can't do it alone. I'd welcome the opportunity to connect with you about how you can contribute to the mission of the Appalachian Lab. 


With appreciation for your generosity and support,

David Nelson

301-689-7171

dnelson@umces.edu