The Gray Lab (UMCES) studies how coastal organisms—especially oysters—respond to environmental change, with a focus on physiology, climate stress tolerance, and applications to aquaculture and restoration. We combine fieldwork, controlled experiments, and quantitative analysis to produce research that is both mechanistic and relevant to real-world management.
Research in the Gray Lab
Projects in the lab often involve:
- Sustainable shellfish aquaculture and technology development
- Shellfish hatchery production diagnostics
- Aquaculture–environment interactions
- Stress-priming and resilience in aquaculture and restoration contexts
- Modeling ecological outcomes from oyster restoration
- Ocean acidification and climate variability impacts on early life stages
Training and Lab Culture
Students in the Gray Lab gain hands-on experience designing and running experiments from start to finish, integrating field and laboratory methods (including sensor-based measurements), and developing quantitative skills to analyze complex biological datasets. Training also emphasizes scientific writing, publishing, and presenting at conferences, as well as collaboration with agencies, industry partners, and international colleagues. I prioritize mentorship and work to create a lab environment where students can pursue ambitious science while building practical skills and professional confidence.
IMPORTANT: I’m not accepting new graduate students at this time.
When that changes, I will post it on the Gray Lab home page and share it through my social media. If you don’t see an announcement, assume I’m not actively recruiting.
Graduate school can be incredibly rewarding—but it’s also demanding in ways that aren’t always obvious from the outside. Before you email me, spend some time thinking carefully about (1) why you want graduate training and (2) why this lab is a good fit for you. If you’re coming straight from undergrad, it’s totally normal not to have that clarity yet. In many cases, a year or two as a technician, intern, or research assistant (during or after undergrad) is the experience that helps you sharpen your interests and figure out what kind of mentoring and research environment you’re looking for.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Yes—this is exactly what I want,” then great. The next step is to show me you’ve done your homework. Take a look at our research areas and recent publications to get a feel for the kinds of questions we ask and the tools we use. The Gray Lab sits at the intersection of marine physiology, environmental change, and applied work in aquaculture/restoration—so I’m excited by students who are curious, interdisciplinary, and willing to build skills across field, lab, and data analysis.
How to reach out (when I am recruiting)
When I’m actively taking students and you think there’s a strong fit, email me (mgray[at]umces.edu) with:
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A short paragraph on your interests and why you’re reaching out specifically to this lab
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Your CV (PDF)
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A brief writing sample or a 1–2 page “mock project idea” you’d be excited to pursue (doesn’t need to be perfect—this is about fit, focus, and writing)
That last item is important. Clear writing is one of the most valuable (and underrated) research skills, and it also helps me understand how you think.
A note on funding
For prospective PhD students: plan on applying for graduate fellowships. If I have project funding that aligns with your interests, that can support a student—but funding isn’t always predictable. Fellowships can make a huge difference in flexibility (and in reducing or avoiding TA obligations, unless you want that experience).