Howdy, I'm Madeline!

PhD Candidate at Northeastern University / Lotterhos Lab
I'm currently a PhD candidate in Marine and Environmental Science at Northeastern University in the Lotterhos Lab. I'm looking for post-doc opportunities to begin in fall 2026! 

​My research is on conservation genetics of marine fish and invertebrates with an applied focus on aquaculture and sustainable fishing. My questions of interest are answered using genomics, where I have built expertise in whole genome sequencing, SNP arrays, and mitochondrial DNA barcoding.

For my PhD, I am studying the eastern oyster, an economically valuable yet declining species. My work informs sustainable fishing and aquaculture by identifying population structure, genetic diversity, loci related to disease mitigation, and genetic signatures of environmental adaptation. 

In my undergraduate work, I surveyed dynamics of top-predator seafood mislabeling in Massachusetts and southern New England fish markets. 

Outside of research, ​I am increasingly interested in the nexus of science & policy. I am also passionate about science communication on my blog and social media, outreach to K-12 students, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
My work has been generously funded and supported by the American Museum of Natural History, National Shellfisheries Association, National Association of Marine Laboratories, American Society of Naturalists, Society for the Study of Evolution, Northeastern University Marine Science Center, and the National Science Foundation.​

Education

PhD Candidate in Marine and Environmental Science (Fall 2021 - current)
Northeastern University Marine Science Center
Advisor: Dr. Katie Lotterhos

B.A. Biology magna cum laude, Bard College at Simon's Rock (2020)
Senior Thesis, Awarded Highest Honors: Shark and swordfish substitutions in New England markets
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Thomas Coote
Let's get in touch!
Copyright Madeline Eppley, 2025
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge the territory on which Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center stands, which is the land of the Mattakeeset tribe (1) of the Massachuset Nation (2,5) and which has been inhabited by the Pawtucket (3,5) and Naumkeag (4,5) people. We honor and respect these peoples' past, present, and future, their continuing presence in this region, and the enduring relationships that exist between them and these lands. We strive to be mindful of these relationships, and to integrate them into our research, teaching, decision-making, and actions, while also acknowledging that we still have much to learn.   

​Citations:  
1.      https://www.mattakeeset.com/history   
2.      https://accessgenealogy.com/massachusetts/massachuset-tribe.htm   
3.      https://capeannhistory.org/index.php/chapter-5-what-native-people-were-on-cape-ann-at-the-time-of-contact-and-where-did-they-come-from/   
4.      http://www.salemhistorical.org/massachusetts-indigenous-community-resources
​5.       https://native-land.ca/