Laura Craig

University of Maryland
4128 Plant Sciences Building
College Park, MD 20742-4454

lscraig @ umd.edu

ABOUT ME

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Dr. Margaret Palmer's Lab in the Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics Program ( BEES ) at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The focus of my research is nitrate processing in small watersheds. I conduct my field research in 5 headwater streams in northwest Montgomery County, MD, all of which are nitrate saturated. I am interested in the sources of nitrate in these systems (particularly a predominantly forested watershed that has high background nitrate year-round) and nutrient limitation. I am also interested in stream restoration and land-based BMPs aimed at mitigating the impact of urbanization on stream ecosystems.

I am part of the Clarksburg Integrated Ecological Study Partnership; a group of scientists working together in Clarksburg, MD, a rapidly developing suburb of Washington, D.C.

Education     Teaching Experience     Publications     Presentations
    Workshop Particpation     Awards & Honors     Service     Professional Affiliations

EDUCATION

2002 to present
            Ph.D.Candidate in Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics Program
            University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
            Research advisor: Dr. Margaret Palmer

2004
            Fundamentals of Ecosystem Ecology Short Course
            Institute for Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York

2000
            B.S. in Biology
            Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
            Research Advisor: Dr. Jack Holt
            Determining the influence of land-use practices & reservoirs on diatom periphyton community composition
            (Middle Creek, Snyder County, PA)

Back to Top

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2002 to present
            Graduate Teaching Assistant
            Department of Biology
            University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
            Courses:
                   Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Fall 2002 to 2007, Lead/Prep TA Fall 2003 to 2007)
                   Human Anatomy and Physiology II (Lead/Prep TA Spring 2003, 2005, 2008)
                   Biology of Reproduction (Winter 2005, 2007, 2008)
                   Principles of Ecology (Spring 2004)

2008
            Invited guest lecturer
            Foundations of Stream Restoration
            Department of Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Science
            University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
            Topics: Nutrient processing in stream ecosystems; Field assessment of functional metrics

2005 to 2008
            Field Instructor/Course Coordinator
            Ecological and Geomorphic Principles of Stream Restoration
            Department of Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Science/Office of Professional Studies
            University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland

2003 to 2005
            Instructor/Curriculum development
            Science Explorers Middle School Science Immersion Program
            College of Life Sciences (Sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute)
            University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
            Themes: Zoology and Forensic Science

Back to Top

PUBLICATIONS
  1. Laura S. Craig, Margaret A. Palmer, David C. Richardson, Solange Filoso, Emily S. Bernhardt, Brian P. Bledsoe, Martin W. Doyle, Peter M. Groffman, Brooke Hassett, Sujay S. Kaushal, Paul M. Mayer, Sean M. Smith, and Peter R. Wilcock. 2008. Stream restoration strategies for reducing river nitrogen loads. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, DOI: 10.1890/070080, Available on-line at www.frontiersinecology.org

  2. Laura Craig. 2008. A Backyard Rain Garden: When it rains, it stores. Groundwork: A publication of the Landscape Contractors Association of MD-DC-VA. April 2008.

  3. Holly L. Menninger, Margaret A. Palmer, Laura S. Craig, and David C. Richardson. Periodical cicada detritus impacts stream ecosystem function. (Submitted to Ecosystems, April 2008)

Back to Top

PRESENTATIONS
(*presenter)
  1. Laura S. Craig* and Margaret A. Palmer. The response of stream-water nitrogen concentrations to additions of limiting nutrients: Results from ecosystem manipulations and a microcosm study. Ecological Society of America, Milwaukee, WI, August 3-8, 2008. (Poster presentation; abstract accepted)

  2. Laura S. Craig* and Margaret Palmer. Multiple controls on baseflow nitrate concentrations in Maryland (US) streams. North American Benthological Society, Salt Lake City, UT, May 25-30, 2008. (Oral presentation)

  3. Laura S. Craig*. Nitrate dynamics in Piedmont streams: Saturation and nutrient limitation. BEES Graduate Student Seminar, College Park, MD, April 4, 2008. (Oral presentation)

  4. Laura S. Craig* and Margaret A. Palmer. A science-based prioritization scheme for restoring streams to reduce downstream nitrogen loading. Ecological Society of America (with the Society for Ecological Restoration International), San Jose, CA, August 5-10, 2007. (Invited symposium presentation)

  5. Laura S. Craig*. Nitrogen processing in urban streams. BEES Graduate Student Seminar, College Park, MD, February 23, 2007. (Oral presentation)

  6. Laura S. Craig*. Stream Restoration for Nitrogen Removal. BEES Recruiting Event, College Park, MD, January 26, 2007. (Selected student oral presentation)

  7. Palmer, Margaret A., Laura S. Craig*, and Sean M. Smith. Stream Restoration for Nitrogen Removal: A watershed perspective. Geological Society of America, Philadelphia, PA, October 22-25, 2006. (Invited symposium presentation)

  8. Craig, Laura S.* and Margaret A. Palmer. Nutrient processing in urbanizing watersheds: can the latest developments in stormwater management improve nutrient uptake? Ecological Society of America, Memphis, TN, August 4-11. 2006. (Poster presentation)

  9. Menninger, Holly*, Margaret Palmer, Laura Craig, Brooke Hassett, David Richardson, and Robert Smith. Terrestrial-aquatic linkage: The effects of periodical cicadas on stream ecosystem function. Ecological Society of America, Montreal, Canada, August 7-12, 2005. (Oral presentation)

Back to Top

WORKSHOP PARTICIPATION
  1. Clarksburg Integrated Ecological Monitoring Project: Collaborative Science in the Clarksburg Special Protection Area. Bi-annual workshop, 2004 to present, Clarksburg, MD. Invited participant, guide for field site visits.

  2. Collaborative Science and Technology Network for Sustainability (EPA-NCER-STAR): Progress Review Workshops, 2005 to 2007. Invited participant/contributor (Laura S. Craig. Ecological Sustainability in Rapidly Urbanizing Watersheds: Evaluating Strategies Designed to Mitigate Impacts on Stream Ecosystems).

  3. Chesapeake Bay Program Science and Technical Advisory Committee: Prioritizing Stream Restoration Sites for Reduction of Nutrient and Sediment Loads, January 30, 2007, Annapolis, MD. Invited participant and contributor (Laura S. Craig. Stream restoration and the Chesapeake Bay model: Estimating permanent N removal for a variety of restoration approaches).

  4. Chesapeake Bay Program Science and Technical Advisory Committee: Role of Stream Restoration in Nutrient and Sediment Reduction, November 14, 2006, Laurel, MD. Participant.

Back to Top

AWARDS AND HONORS

  • Ann G. Wylie Graduate Fellowship, University of Maryland, 2008
  • Jacob K. Goldhaber Travel Award, University of Maryland, 2008
  • Entomology Student Organization Travel Award, University of Maryland, 2008
  • Entomology Student Organization Travel Award, University of Maryland, 2007
  • University of Maryland Graduate School Travel Award, 2006
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute Teaching and Learning Fellow, 2003, 2004, 2005
  • Distinguished Teaching Assistant, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Maryland, 2003-2004
  • Allen L. Steinhauer Award for Excellence in Teaching, Dept. of Entomology, University of Maryland, 2003
  • Outstanding Teaching Assistant, Dept. of Biology, University of Maryland, 2003
  • Outstanding Academic Achievement in Biology (Ranked 1st in class), Susquehanna University, 2000
  • Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, Susquehanna University, 1998
  • Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Susquehanna University, 1997

Back to Top

SERVICE

  • Organizer, BEES Graduate Student Seminar Series, Spring 2007, Spring and Summer 2008
  • Treasurer, Entomology Student Organization, September 2006 to November 2007
  • Graduate Student Representative, BEES Admissions Committee, 2005 to 2007
  • President, BEES Graduate Student Organization, March 2005 to January 2007
  • Organizer, “Classic Papers in Ecology” graduate student seminar, Spring 2005

Back to Top

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Ecological Society of America
North American Benthological Society

Back to Top