In the Leslie Lab at the University of Maine, we focus on the connections among people and coastal marine ecosystems. As marine conservation scientists, we use a combination of field experiments, modeling, and other approaches grounded in the ecological and social sciences and humanities. We investigate how diverse environmental and socioeconomic factors influence ecosystem and social interactions and outcomes. Our ultimate aim is to create scientific knowledge and tools that supports marine conservation and management that benefits both nature and people.

We hope that fellow researchers as well as our partners in education, policy making and community-based management will find something of interest on this site. If you are interested in learning more or exploring a way to work together, please contact us!


Marina’s research journey

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Lab alumna Marina Tomer shares her research journey in this recent post by the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions. Welcome back to Maine, Marina!

Creative writing at the DMC

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Leslie Lab members Heather, Sarah, and Emma hosted the entire sophomore class of Lincoln Academy, the local high school, at the Darling Center earlier this fall. This field trip, designed…
Woman pulling field gear

Oyster science and stories

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Civil Eats recently featured Leslie Lab member Sarah Risley’s doctoral research on wild and farmed oysters. Read all about it here!
Joelle Kilchenmann

Joelle’s research journey

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Leslie Lab member Joelle Kilchenmann shares the journey that brought her to UMaine and her interdisciplinary PhD research related to Maine’s lobster fishery.

Share your story

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Thanks to support from UMaine’s Mitchell Center, we are using arts-based methods like storytelling and creative writing to share knowledge and learn together in support of coastal community resilience. We…
People in kayaks

Voices of the Medomak

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In mid July, several lab members had the good fortune to participate in a guided trip on the Medomak River estuary. Heather helped organize this event. An excerpt of the…