Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Cooperative Oxford Laboratory

Oxford Lab
WHAT WE DO  Oxford Lab
LOCATION  ​Oxford Lab
STAFF  ​Oxford Lab
HISTORY
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Aquatic Animal Health Program Logo Department of Natural Resources Logo​​​​

Nestled on the scenic shores of the Tred Avon River in Oxford, Maryland, the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory has been a vital center of Chesapeake Bay science for over six decades. It was founded in 1960 by the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries in response to a crisis: oyster diseases that were ravaging both the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. Over time its mission broadened far beyond oyster pathology. In 1987, through a cooperative agreement between NOAA’s National Ocean Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, it was formally designated the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory (COL), reflecting its shared stewardship. Today, the COL is home to Maryland DNR’s Aquatic Animal Health Program.

Cooperative Oxford Laboratory Building  
Aerial view of the Cooperative Oxford Lab buildings and pier.​​​



MD DNR Aquatic Animal Health Program: what we do

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  • Shellfish Health Monitoring: Maryland’s only state program for evaluating shellfish health is essential for sustaining the Chesapeake Bay’s fisheries and aquaculture industries.

  • Finfish Health Research: Investigating diseases affecting wild ​fish populations to support fisheries management and conservation.

  • Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response: As part of the National Stranding Network, MD DNR investigates strandings of rare and endangered species, contributing critical data and expertise to conservation efforts.

  • Ecosystem Research and Restoration: Supporting habitat restoration efforts, including mapping and enhancing oyster reef habitats vital for Chesapeake Bay’s health and biodiversity.

  • Graphic Information Systems: The Fishing and Boating Services Graphic Information System team is headquartered at the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory.

  • R/V Chesapeake: DNR operates a NOAA-owned 58’ vessel, which serves as a platform for a variety of aquatic research activities.

  • Pathology and Diagnostic Services: Provides pathology and disease diagnostic services to the state’s fish hatcheries to minimize the impact of disease among cultured fish and to prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens that could threaten wild populations.

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​Contact The Cooperative Oxford Laboratory
Staff Directory​

Mark Matsche, Cooperative Oxford Laboratory Director

 
​ Leads research, monitoring, and response efforts related to aquatic animal health. Supervises all laboratory projects at the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory within the Department of Natural Resources Fishing and Boating Services and collaborates with the NOAA Cooperative Oxford Laboratory Director on joint NOAA/DNR initiatives. Oversees the Fishing and Boating Services Aquatic Animal Health Program, supervising projects on wild fish health research, shellfish health research, marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, and aquatic animal health laboratory operations. Develops and implements fish health policies, addresses fish and shellfish health issues concerning imports and in-state movements, and collaborates with Fishing and Boating Services Freshwater Fisheries Program staff to manage permitting activities. As an Aquatic Animal Health Inspector, works with fish culture facilities within Fishing and Boating Services to conduct annual fish health inspections, address fish health issues, and promote best management practices. Represents Maryland as the fish health specialist on inter-jurisdictional fish health matters and committees, such as the Northeast Fish Health Committee.
[email protected]​

Jennifer Jones, Administrative Officer

 
Functions as the Chief of Administration at the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory to provide comprehensive fiscal year budget and grant preparation, functions as DNR’s facility manager for lab-wide administrative duties and assists in preparation of contract documents.

Anthony Radmer, Grounds Maintenance​

 
​ Maintains the grounds of the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory in order to present a clean and professional appearance to the public and ensure a safe outdoor working environment for employees.

Gary Culver, Aquatic Sampling Manager and Vessel Captain

 
Serves as captain aboard the NOAA research vessel Chesapeake, plus a variety of smaller outboard federal vessels. Provides safe procedural guidance for watercraft involved in scientific research, educational tours, and collaborative use by outside sources. Co-develops and instructs the laboratory's annual NOAA Small Boat and Emergency Refresher Training, the In-Water Safety Equipment Training, and additional safety training courses for assigned state and federal staff. Directly supports the Department of Natural Resources Fishing and Boating Services as Eastern Region certified instructor for First Aid, CPR and AED two-year certified course requirement.​

George Edmonds, GIS Analyst

 
Project: Geospatial Mapping
Leads the creation, analysis, and QA/QC maintenance of Fishing and Boating Services spatial data for use in mapping applications and other related mapping products. Performs statistical and spatial analysis on datasets for scientific purposes using Geographical Information Systems. Provides advice, guidance and assistance to other GIS users and provides training when necessary. Manages and manipulates shellfish, finfish, and wildlife data in support of healthy Chesapeake Bay ecosystems and constituent services.​

Brian Preziosi, Shellfish Pathologist

 
Project: Shellfish Health

Provides diagnostic examinations to detect known and emerging mollusk pathogens, parasites, and pathologies of wild and aquaculture shellfish in Maryland waters. These activities inform DNR resource managers about the health status of economically and ecologically important aquatic resources and provide guidance to the DNR Aquaculture Program and private shellfish aquaculture.​
[email protected]​​​

Vacant, Finfish Pathologist

 
​Projects: Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory and Finfish Health
Leads health-related research and diagnostics of wild fish populations and provides pathology and diagnostic services supporting state hatchery-reared fish. Projects focus on investigations of infectious disease (e.g. bacterial disease in striped bass) and non-infectious diseases (e.g. liver tumors and contaminant exposures in white perch). Collaborates with state, federal, and university partners to conduct basic and applied research on potential associations between fish health and environmental quality. Provides diagnostic services for the investigation of fish kills or unusual disease outbreaks.



Kevin Rosemary, Natural Resources Biologist

 
Project: Finfish Health
Conducts fish health sampling, research, and response, contributing to the conservation of natural resource species.  This includes the design, implementation, and management of field and laboratory studies aimed at determining the extent, severity, and progression of disease among fish resident in the State of Maryland. Manages a freshwater Wildfish health project that focuses on the survey of and collection of health information on wild fish populations through the State of Maryland. ​
[email protected]​

Darren Kirkendall, Natural Resources Biologist

 
Project: Finfish Heath​
Assists in fish health monitoring and research projects in Chesapeake Bay and non-tidal waterways in MD. Operates small vessels and uses a variety of fishing gear to collect fish and water quality data. Performs fish necropsy procedures and collects samples for analysis including samples for hematology, histology, microbiology, parasitology and molecular testing for disease identification. Assists in the implementation of field surveys to determine prevalence, distribution, and severity of disease in fish populations.  Assists with the response to marine mammal and sea turtle stranding events for the state of Maryland to ensure rapid and efficient response to dead stranded animals and to collect pertinent data. ​
[email protected]​

Amanda Weschler, Natural Resources Biologist/Stranding Response Coordinator

 
Project: Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response

Chloe Jacobson, Natural Resources Biologist/Stranding Response Biologist

 
Project: Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response
Assists in the coordination and response to all deceased marine mammals and sea turtles in the state of Maryland. Execute standard necropsy procedures and tissue sampling for diagnostic analysis. Monitors the stranding response hotline (1-800-628-9944) and  Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Tracker. Coordinates database management to ensure the quality and accuracy of all collected data for submission to the national Marine Mammal Health & Stranding Response Program and Sea Turtle Stranding & Salvage Network. Leads the Stranding Response Program’s Outreach and Volunteer Network, including the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers. Contact Chloe with press/media inquiries and questions regarding outreach appearances, educational presentations and intern/volunteer opportunities.   ​
[email protected]​

Vacant, Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory Manager

 
Project: Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory
Manages day-to-day operations of the Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory. Coordinates activities within the laboratory to provide timely inspections and diagnostic investigations of wild fish and hatchery-raised fish as well as support research and monitoring projects within the finfish, wild fish, and shellfish health programs.

Ammar Hanif, Natural Resource Biologist

 
Project: Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory
Aquatic Animal Health Biologist conducts biomolecular and viral isolation techniques to identify and characterize various aquatic and marine diseases to support the Fishing and Boating Services hatchery fish health inspection and diagnostic programs, the wild fish health program, and the shellfish health program.​
[email protected]​

Carrie Hoover, Natural Resource Biologist

 
Project: Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory
Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory biologist conducting bacteriology, parasitology, and histology, analyses to support Fishing and Boating Services hatchery fish health inspection and diagnostic programs, the wild fish health program, and the shellfish health program.​
[email protected]​​

Stuart Lehmann, Natural Resources Biologist

 
Project: Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory
Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory biologist providing histological services to Fishing and Boating Services aquatic animal disease research and health monitoring projects. Performs routine and special histological processing, sectioning, and staining for protozoan pathogens of mollusks, neoplasia and fish pathogens.​
[email protected]
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Timeline: The History of the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory


1960 – Established by the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (now NOAA Fisheries) to study oyster diseases devastating the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.

1964 - The lab moves into a new, dedicated facility in Oxford, Maryland, along the Tred Avon River. The facility includes pathology laboratories, estuarine-fed wet labs, shellfish quarantine areas, and research vessels.

1970 - The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries becomes part of the newly created National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Department of Commerce.

1987 - Formal designation as the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory, reflecting a joint partnership between NOAA’s National Ocean Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The collaboration enables shared research, resources, and outreach focused on Chesapeake Bay health.

1990s - Research expands to include coastal ecosystem studies, fish and shellfish pathology, marine mammal and sea turtle research and water quality monitoring throughout the Bay region.

2000s - The lab supports emerging threats research, such as harmful algal blooms, invasive species, and the effects of climate change on estuarine systems.

2010s - Strengthens partnerships with U.S. Coast Guard, academic institutions, and conservation groups. Enhances public education efforts and outreach through open houses and community events.

2020s - Focus grows on habitat mapping and ecological forecasting to better support management of coastal resources.

Today - Operated by NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory is home to Maryland DNR’s Aquatic Animal Health Program and continues to serve as a hub for collaborative science, stewardship, and public education — dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its living resources.
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