FRA Function
The UMCES Faculty Research Assistant (FRA) Council was formed in the spirit of shared governance to review university policies that affect the workplace environment, productivity and quality of life for UMCES' FRAs. The FRA Council also works to identify and fill gaps in UMCES' policies, while providing proportional policy recommendations in a manner that represents FRA perspectives. Ideas and recommendations from the FRA Council are shared with the UMCES Faculty Senate.
Council Members
Members of the FRA Council were nominated by their peers from within their respective lab units. The FRA Council members are as follows:
Chair: Sabeena Nazar, IMET
Sabeena Nazar is the lab manager of IMET's core facility, BioAnalytical Services Laboratory (BAS Lab), where she oversees cutting-edge DNA sequencing services, including next-generation sequencing. The lab extends its molecular biology services to IMET and non-IMET researchers for a nominal fee, contributing significantly to the scientific community. Sabeena is also entrusted with maintaining all multi-user instruments at the BAS Lab, ensuring their availability and optimal performance for all researchers. She is currently a part-time PhD student with the MEES program.
Vice-Chair: Alexandra Fries, IAN
Alexandra Fries is a Program Manager at the Integration and Application Network (IAN) based at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science in Annapolis MD. Alexandra’s work in environmental management has been focused on assessment, monitoring, and management of aquatic, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems. Alexandra has extensive experience in data analysis, synthesis, mapping, interpretation, and communication. Alexandra has experience working with a diverse group of partners including those in local, state, and federal government, non-governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, private industry, and academia. Within IAN, Alexandra conducts data analysis, synthesis, and communication by completing environmental report cards, updating the IAN website, and conducting science communication courses. Alexandra has experience managing projects and staff on local and international projects, liaising directly with partners and colleagues, and providing insights on project direction and goals.
Representative: Robin Paulman, AL
Robin Paulman manages the Central Appalachian Stable Isotope Facility (CASIF) at the UMCES Appalachian Laboratory located in Frostburg, Maryland, under the direction of Dr. David Nelson. CASIF was established in early 2010 with funds from the National Science Foundation and UMCES. Robin operates the various state-of-the-art scientific instruments including the isotope ratio mass spectrometer and its associated peripheral devices, prepares samples and standards, as well as interacts with CASIF's clients from around the world.
Representative: Theresa Murphy, CBL
Theresa Murphy received her BSc in biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She joined UMCES-CBL in 2017 and began FRA work in 2022, where she is the lab manager in the Woodland aquatic ecology lab. Theresa is a project manager for several ongoing and long-term research and outreach activities . Her lab's core research themes touch upon several broad areas of ecology, but with particular emphasis on the effects of human activities on aquatic food webs and community structure, and the processes that drive observed spatial and temporal patterns in trophic relationships.
Representative: Julie Trommatter, HPL
Julie Trommatter focuses her research on algae culture in the Horn Point Laboratory Oyster Hatchery. She is familiar with maintaining algae stock cultures as well as mass cultures, sterilization methods such as ozonation, and several methods utilized in oyster aquaculture. Julie received her bachelor of science in biology from Salisbury University and her master of science in biology from Towson University.
Representative: Taryn Sudol, MD SG
Taryn Sudol is the Chesapeake Bay Sentinel Site coordinator with Maryland Sea Grant. She received her master of science in conservation biology and sustainable development from the University of Maryland, and her bachelor of science from the University of Florida, Gainesville. Taryn works to improve integration of research and outreach across federal coastal reserves in the Chesapeake and coastal bays.
Alexandra Fries receives 2024 President’s Award for Outstanding Research Support
BALTIMORE, MD — Alexandra Fries, a program manager at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) Integration and Application Network, is the recipient of the 2024 President’s Award for Outstanding Research Support, which recognizes the professional achievements by a faculty research assistant (FRA) who has made an outstanding contribution to leadership in research innovation, mentoring, and service.