Faculty & Staff
Director
Dr. Galit Sharon
Dr. Sharon joined the faculty in the summer of 2022 as a researcher and Director. She has a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Kosice, Slovakia as well as a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Fish Health at the Institute of Desert Research, Ben Gurion University, Israel. Dr. Sharon is recognized for her research and long-standing interest in the disease and pathology of fish Invertebrate and shellfish, aquatic animal diagnostics, fish health and welfare and Immunology of aquatic organisms.
Molecular Research & Lab Manager
Abigail Scro
Abbey is an RWU alum who started as a diagnostic technician in the ADL after graduation. Her interest in marine pathogens grew during this time, eventually leading her to pursue a M.Sc. in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences with a certificate in Aquaculture and Fish Health from University of Florida. She has since returned to the ADL and is continuing to use traditional diagnostic skills combined with new molecular skills (qPCR, metagenomics, metabarcoding) for the detection of pathogens in marine invertebrates.
Research Technician
Michael Torselli
Michael is an RWU alumnus, who majored in marine biology and environmental science. He attained his M.Sc. from the University of New Haven focusing on ecotoxicology and GIS. He studied oceanographic phytoplankton in the Pacific Ocean with SEA Semester, and worked for the U.S. EPA testing the combined impact of coastal hypoxia and acidification. In the ADL, he focuses in aquatic husbandry, aquarium systems, and cellular & molecular biology to assists with all general diagnostics of fish and shellfish, as well as researching to develop new molecular diagnostic methods.
Histology Lab Manager
Jessica Peluso
Jess holds a B.S. in Geoscience from Central Connecticut State University and recently earned an M.S. in Biological & Environmental Science from the University of Rhode Island. After completing her graduate studies, she developed a passion for marine biology while working at the NOAA Fisheries Marine Science Laboratory in Narragansett, RI. As part of the APEX Predator team in the Population Biology branch, Jess managed thousands of shark specimens within the NOAA archive and prepared them for aging studies and pathological analysis. At the ADL, Jess concentrates on the microscopic anatomy of fish and shellfish.
Current Undergraduate Students
Marine Biology w/ Math & Sustainability minors
Konnor Collins '25
Konnor is currently working on a project involving an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) that will collect water samples from places with known pathogens to improve monitoring for aquaculturists and regulators. In his free time, he likes to play guitar and spend time outdoors hiking, snorkeling or fishing. He is also the captain of the men’s tennis team and president of the RWU chapter of tri-beta. Konnor hopes that one day, after a lot of time spent on the water, he will get his PhD and be a professor.
Chemistry & Biology
Jules Gerstner '25
Jules is a senior at RWU who works as a tutor, a chemistry researcher, and she is a member of the aquatic diagnostic laboratory. She is currently writing her thesis with Dr. Clifford Murphy on her work developing a chemosensor device to aid detection and diagnosis of oral and gastric cancer. In the future she intends on pursuing her Ph.D. in biochemistry, and in her free time Jules enjoys hiking, hosting her radio show, and making pottery.
Biology w/ Mathematics minor
Lily King '25
Lily recently joined the lab and is helping on all things shellfish diagnostics. Outside of school and work, pickleball and crocheting are her current hobby obsessions but she really enjoys anything that lets her be active. After graduation, Lily hopes to find a job with an analytical lab environment. Her dream has always been to wear a lab coat and goggles to work everyday!
Environmental Science w/ Math minor
Marissa Michaud '25
Marissa assists with standard shellfish diagnostic processes, histology prep, DNA extractions, qPCR, field work, and more. Marissa is working on her senior thesis project in the lab, which seeks to develop two new qPCR assays to be combined with the current FDA Most Probable Number method for the identification and quantification of pathogenic Escherichia coli in oysters. In her free time, she enjoys being on the water, reading, crocheting, and playing music with her band!
Forensic Science w/ Chemistry minor
Collin Phelps '27
Collin studies Forensic Science under the Biology Track, and is pursuing Certification in Biotechnology. He is a member of the Honors Program, Forensic Science Club, and the Recruitment and Retention Chair for the John Jay Society, as well as a Resident Assistant. Post-graduation Collin is considering medical school in hopes of becoming a medical examiner, but also interested in potentially pursuing a graduate degree in forensic science or biotechnology, or working in a state or federal crime lab.