Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory - PEARL

Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory - PEARL Morgan State University | Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory (PEARL)

The mission of the Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory (PEARL) is to provide society with the knowledge to solve its environmental challenges through research, education and economic development. The Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory is located near the Patuxent River (part of Chesapeake Bay watershed) in Saint Leonard, Maryland. Research conducted at the state

-of-the art facility is designed to increase the understanding of coastal ecosystems so that they may be properly managed and protected. Much of the work is focused on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, such as the Patuxent River.

-Founded in 1967 by The Academy of Natural Sciences and located in Benedict, Maryland
-Moved to current facility in St. Leonard, Maryland, in 1994
-Became part of Morgan State University in September 2004

08/21/2026

Aquaculture takes us outside the lab, too! 🦪🌊

2026 Aquaculture Intern Samuel Ibosiola is back with another behind-the-scenes look at his summer at PEARL. This time, we're heading outside for a glimpse at some of the hands-on work that keeps aquaculture research moving.

There's a lot that happens behind the science—and luckily, Samuel brought the camera along. 🎥

08/14/2026

"A little behind-the-scenes look at summer at PEARL! 🦪🎥

2026 Aquaculture Intern Samuel Ibosiola took over the camera to give us a glimpse into his experience—from the everyday moments to the hands-on work that goes into aquaculture research at PEARL.

The internship may be over, but we still have plenty of moments from this summer to share. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes looks from our 2026 interns! 🌊🔬

"

08/07/2026

It started with curiosity... and ended with a summer full of discovery. 🌊💙

This year's internship program was packed with unforgettable experiences—from research in the field and the lab to sharing discoveries during PEARL Day.

Our interns didn't just learn about science—they became part of it.

Thank you to our mentors, partners, and everyone who made this summer possible. We can't wait to see where these future scientists go next.

This week, we welcomed students from Morgan State University's Center for Excellence in Math and Science (CEMSE) for an ...
07/17/2026

This week, we welcomed students from Morgan State University's Center for Excellence in Math and Science (CEMSE) for an immersive experience exploring the science happening at PEARL.

From hands-on activities in our labs to a boat ride on the Chesapeake Bay, students got a firsthand look at the research, technology, and teamwork that support our work every day.

Experiences like these inspire curiosity, build connections, and showcase the many career paths available in STEM.

Science is best shared firsthand. 🌊🔬Last week, we were pleased to host members of the Maryland Agricultural Educators As...
07/14/2026

Science is best shared firsthand. 🌊🔬

Last week, we were pleased to host members of the Maryland Agricultural Educators Association at the PEARL hatchery.

During their visit, educators explored our shellfish aquaculture program, learned about hatchery operations, and heard how research at PEARL supports sustainable aquaculture throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. The tour, led by Dr. Ming Liu and Zophia Galvan Lam, highlighted the important connection between research, education, and workforce development.

Thank you for spending the day with us—we're grateful for the opportunity to share our passion for aquaculture and inspire future generations through Maryland's educators.

Eight curious minds. One unforgettable day at PEARL. 🌊✨We loved hosting STEMcx students for a tour of our labs and resea...
07/06/2026

Eight curious minds. One unforgettable day at PEARL. 🌊✨

We loved hosting STEMcx students for a tour of our labs and research spaces, where they got an inside look at the science happening behind the scenes.

Our Aquaculture Intern, Samuel Ibosiola, shared his journey and talked about the research he's helping conduct, giving the group a student perspective on life at PEARL.

Today's visitors could be tomorrow's scientists—and we can't wait to see where their curiosity takes them.

Meet the 2026 Aquaculture Internship Cohort! 🦪🌊This summer, Samuel Ibosiola, Eisenhower Kondo, and Emily Wu are gaining ...
06/26/2026

Meet the 2026 Aquaculture Internship Cohort! 🦪🌊

This summer, Samuel Ibosiola, Eisenhower Kondo, and Emily Wu are gaining hands-on experience in shellfish aquaculture under the mentorship of Dr. Ming Liu and Zophia Galvan Lam.

From examining samples under the microscope to conducting fieldwork in local waters, these interns are developing the skills and knowledge needed to support sustainable aquaculture and aquatic research.

We're excited to follow their journey and share their work throughout the summer!



Photo Descriptions:

Photo 1: Samuel Ibosiola (left) and Eisenhower Kondo (right) examine samples under microscopes as part of the 2026 Aquaculture Internship Cohort at PEARL.

Photo 2: Samuel Ibosiola (left) and Eisenhower Kondo (right) conduct fieldwork in local waters as part of the 2026 Aquaculture Internship Cohort at PEARL.

Photo 3: Emily Wu examines samples under a microscope as part of the 2026 Aquaculture Internship Cohort at PEARL.

Thank you to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) team for visiting PEARL yesterday! 🌊🔬After touring our facilities, the gr...
06/12/2026

Thank you to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) team for visiting PEARL yesterday! 🌊🔬

After touring our facilities, the group shared a seminar with our summer interns, showcasing the exciting and impactful research taking place across USGS field sites. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect our students with scientists whose work is helping to advance our understanding of aquatic ecosystems.

We appreciate their visit and look forward to future collaborations!

PEARL was well represented at the 2026 Chesapeake Community Research Symposium this week!Dr. Knobloch shared findings fr...
06/08/2026

PEARL was well represented at the 2026 Chesapeake Community Research Symposium this week!

Dr. Knobloch shared findings from ongoing research at the lab, and interns Lade and Abby spent the day networking with researchers from across the Chesapeake Bay region.

We're proud to support opportunities for our students to share their work, make connections, and gain experience within the scientific community.

This week marked the start of the 2026 Summer Internship Program at PEARL 🌊For the next 8 weeks, the PEARL team is excit...
05/29/2026

This week marked the start of the 2026 Summer Internship Program at PEARL 🌊

For the next 8 weeks, the PEARL team is excited to welcome 11 new interns as they join us for hands-on research, fieldwork, and unforgettable summer experiences.

Welcome, interns! 🐻🦪




Address

10545 Mackall Road
Saint Leonard, MD
20685

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14438855926

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